Poor Shakspere!

Manawatu Herald, 19 September 1896, Page 3

Poor Shakspere!

Jerry Neuve steeped into the North London dock with lengthy stride and tragic mien. "I am a skirt dance impersonator," he said with Irviugesque intensity, and waited for the charge to be proved. Tbi9 wa9 soon done by PC. 445 J, who said that Jerry was drunk near his house in Homerton, and as he would would not go away he was compelled to run him in. The Olympian front of Jerry glowered at the shrinking constable. One step forward he took— 'twas all he could — folded his arms and thundered forth: — Man— or whatever it may be in uniform —you say I was drunk I Wr-r-etch ! You rob me of me noble name 1 Had you stolen me purse you would have got but tr-r-ash — but in saying that I was drunk— dr-runk (crescendo) — ye have taken me noble name, and ye must pr-rove it." — A chilly wind swept through the trees of Stratford Churchyard, and the bones of Skakspere turned uneasily in their grave at this travesty of Othello. But Jerry recked naught of it. Turning to the magistrate, he murmured in a raucous stage whisper, " I will speak to you as a gentleman. This is^how it occurred" (producing a litho of himself in skirt dancer's garb from his pocket.) " I was but showing thi3 poor picture of me unworthy self to some young friends - young gentlemen, I say, although they were but honest sons of toil, when one lewd labourer that I wot not of jeered at me legs — these noble Hmb3. Me thought that this was wrong, nay, worse than that, improper, and a war ensued. This is the head and front of my offending. I wag not drunk ! I was not drrunk I l ' And his voice sighed away into silence.— Remanded for the state of hia mind to be inquired into.