“SOFT DOWN!”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 98, 2 May 1913, Page 5

“SOFT DOWN!”

“HOW OFTEN DO YOU SHAVE?”

There was general amusement in Hi© Stratford Court this morning, when Mr Robert Spence was addressing the Court in a case where a Toko publican was charged with serving three youth© with liquor. The hoys were lined up near the “dock,” for His Worship’s inspection, and two o them appeared to be hardly more than eighteen. This fact Mr Spence recognised, and in his address he laid stress on the fact that their appearance on the night of the Toko sports would be very different from their appearance in the Court this morning. In counsel’s words: “I wish to impress 'upon your Worship that as we see them now, they are very different to the ‘big guns’ after the sports—with bowder hats, with silk scarves round their necks, and half a week’s growth on their chins .” Mr Kenrick: “You would’nt see it if they had!” Mr Spence (turning to one of the boys): When do you shave ? Under 21Once a week!

Mr Spence (pleased with the answer. and anxious to get to the serious business of the question of an “endorsement”): I told you eo, your Worship! Sergeant McNeely (taking a hand in the case, and looking hard at the hoy who had been queried by Mr Spence) : When did you shave last? Under 21: About a month ago!

Sergeant McNeely; About a month since he shaved, and look at his beard now!

ft was no good The boy’s face was innocent of anything but the soft down of adolescence, and the wildest imagination could not picture a week’s growth.