THE TRANSGRESSOR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 784, 6 April 1910, Page 5

THE TRANSGRESSOR.

A POLICE .'COURT INTERLUDE

Three "drunks," a juvenile case, and a formal charge of false pretences constituted the. sum and .substance of.the police charge-sheet at the Magistrate's x Oourt yesterday morning. Without,' the glory of a- clear autumn morning, ; within, the drab aspect of a city police court. ■•-: The application, of Delinquent No. .1 to be given "one more chance, yer Worship," having ;been granted, with an appropriate display.of reluctance-by the very /human representative of the Lady Justitia, who sat enthroned under: the / red canopy — it'was Delinquent;No;; l's sixth' appearance within' as'lnafiy' months—Delinquent No: 2; was summoned to answer - for his transgressions.' There was no answer-when his name' •was called. He was out on. bail.

- The Court official tried again. ■ "I'm 'ere!" came a 'raucous'voice ■from behind the' public gallery. Its owner presently pushed his way through' the crowd, ducked his head under the ■rail, and shambled slowly into the dock. "John Smith, you arc and the clorkof "the Court recited the formal indictment, wherein ttas expressr, ed, fiV most inexpressive language, the 'extenwof the . accused's transgression,; concluding'with the'inquiry, "Do 1 you plead guilty, or not guilty?!' . The person interrogated-said: "Well —I 'aven't stolen nothin', any'ow." The Court eyed him sternly, and said, with disapproval: "Twenty, shillings, or seven days." "What?" shouted.Jlr. Smith,'.startled, out of his complacency. The police sergeant, under cover of the partition which screened him from the "Court," waved, his fist and made sundry' signs which, though quite simple of; interpretation, the man. ! ignored. "What?" he repeated, 'fortissimo. ■■~ "Take him away," commanded the "Court." Arid they, most unceremoniously, hustled him to dark and djsmal beyond, while Delinquent No. 3 came forward. The "Court" resumed.