A CUNNING COSTERMONGER.

Evening Star, Issue 3735, 11 February 1875, Page 3

A CUNNING COSTERMONGER.

Magna, eat veritas, et prmvalebU, is an old and honest motto, which has once more been made good in rather an unusual way. The latest illustration of the maxim has been afforded by Mr Robert Nash, by profession costermonger, and by habit, unfortunately, bibulous. This gentleman had ‘a basket of fish to sell recently in Marchmont street, and, being at the time in a condition too usual with him and oblivious of municipal regulations, he deposited his store in the middle of a crowded pavement, where he invited tho custom of the obstructed lieges. More than this, he chalked a circle bis with tbh wtoglcfl

purposes, apparently, of invoking supernatural luck in the sale of his fat fish, and securing a neutral territory round them. This, of course, could not be permitted ; and Police-Con stable 29 F R sternly bade Mr Nash “ move on for the street was completely blocked up by such lawless vending. The costermonger was too much in liquor to listen to the officer ; and it was necessary to take him and bis fish into custody On the next day the delinquent appeared at Bow street, and the charge was no sooner made clear than the prisoner began in the old style, “Look ’ere, yer Worship; every word what that there constable has said is Naturally Mr Flowers thought that the usual trick was being resorted to of defaming the policeman. “ Prisoner,” he said, “ don’t make it worse by falsely charging the constable.” But the reply of Mr Nash, whether it was a brilliant instance of the figure of speech called “ metallage,” or a sincere expression of sentiment, quite took the Court by surprise. “ I wasn’t a-going to,” he said. “ Every word what that officer ses is true. „He acted like a man and a brother, and if I’d took his advice I shouldn’t ’ave been ’erenow.” Justice, astonished at this naive and novel candor, smiled upon the penitent “ coster.” “ This is quite a new defence,” the magistrate remarked; “since you admit your fault so reasonably you may go this time.” It is needless to say that Mr Nash went his way, amid peals of laughter.— ‘ Daily Telegraph.’