THE VALUE OF A FAMILY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 266, 19 April 1875, Page 3

THE VALUE OF A FAMILY.

At Bangor, last week, an individual whose name is rather too familiar in local police annals, had the misfortune of being charged before the magistrates with using threatening language, and was ordered to find two sureties to keep the peace. One of the required bondsmen was soon forthcoming, but an unfortunate hitch occurred respecting the second, who, at the eleventh hour, turned up in the person of a well-known character, who had been released from Carnarvon gaol a fortnight before, after undergoing a lengthened term of imprisonment for committing a murderous assault upon a policeman. The amount of the bail was small—only £lO —and in reply to the usual queries of the magistrates' clerk whether the proffered bondsman was worth that sum after pay> ment of all his just debts, the friend in need retorted rather indignantly that he should think he was worth that trifle, and a good deal more. Knowing the character and social position of the proposed surety, there was naturally considerable hesitation on the part of the police about accepting him as a guarantor for the good behaviour of his associate ; and one of these sarcastically remarked that he should like to see what the value of the £lO was, at the same time expressing doubt whether he was worth as many pence. The rejoinder was that the authorities could be readily fled on that point; and, hurriedly quitting the court, the would-be bailsman shortly re-appeared, followed by a brood of ragged children, to whom he pointed, lemarking triumphantly that they were his, and he wouldn't take £2O for the lot; but, if they weren't enough, the " old woman" could be "chucked into the bargain." There was considerable difficulty in convincing the man that this was not exactly the kind of personal property which was requisite for the relief of his comrade, and that he had neither legal nor moral right to put his wife and progeny, as it were, in pawn. Fortunately the explanation was cut short by the appearance of a more.eligible bail, and the rejected bondsman departed, regretting that, although he had done his best, he had failed in doing a good turn for his friend.