The story concerns one Mr.T.Beveridge, the renowned Southern Counties angler and the Great Angling Contest at Furnace Pond, Horsmonden in the county of Kent. Mr.Beveridge had placed a bet to the tune of £5 that he would win the day, the anglers having to fish from sun up to sun down, (in those days it was recognised that even lowly fish deserved a break). By 4 p.m. the lead was held by Ron " The Rod" Terrible he having caught one more minnow than Mr.B., a lead of 2 ounces weight. The rest of the field were nowhere, many having had a blank and some were even packing to go home. The fishing had been furious with copius amounts of bait having being used, in some cases all to no avail. Mr.B., sensing the sun would soon be setting and the seeing the gloating face of Ron knew he had one last chance to win. Just one more fish. Unfortunately in his hectic attempt to be victorious he had also exhausted his supply of bait and he desparately searched for some bread paste, luncheon meat, grasshoppers or anything with which to bait his hook. A young lad, a certain William Wantpenny, who had been watching the days proceedings and noting the finer practises of " the gentle art" saw the distress of Mr.B. and offered to find him some bait for a consideration. Mr.B. grudgingly accepted the offer knowing that to use bait other than his own could disqualify him, should anyone find out. The boy returned with his offering, one maggot! Mr.B.skillfully presented the bait and just as the sun began to fall behind the western horizon he pulled in a tiddler of a few ounces to claim the day, much to the chagrin of "The Rod". Mr.B.collected his bet but was aware of young William standing close by with a wry smile. "So, young fellah-mi-lad, what can I do for you?" he asked. "Five pound I believe would go a long way to ensure your name stays on the winners list" the boy replied. Mr.B. knew he had been caught bang to rights and coughed up to protect his reputation. Some years later, one day when William Wantpenny was in his cups he let slip the tale of "Mr.Beveridge`s Maggot" but by this time Mr.B. had moved on and it mattered to no-one. Chalkers Broadside Compendium records a popular song relating this tale but it would seem it has been lost in antiquity.