"RUN IN."

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 167, 24 November 1883, Page 8

"RUN I N."

" Owing to the frequently with which persons suffering from delirium tremens are placed in the Auckland lock-up, it is desirable that a padded room should be provided in which to put such unfortunates, so that they may not injure themselves in their frenzy. The police authorities have no option but jo place these wretched inebriates in the ordinary cells, as no other accommodation is available. It does not, hoivever, say much for our common humanity that through the parsimony of the Government these unfortunates should be so immured, and as was the case the other day with ; — ? who ran stark naked round his cell, his forehead bruised and bleeding from knocking it in his delirium against the brick walls" (Vide New Zealand Herald.)

'Tis tho hour when drunkards come Forth from reeking pub. and slum, Maddened with the fiery rum, Falling down ; "Where the ghastly gas-lamps throw Ghostly shadows to and fro, And the moaning night winds blow Through the town. 11. Hxished tho revellers' jest and song When tho peeler strolls along, Vanished now the joyous song, In a crack ; Blinded oveiy hotel light From the keen j^oliceinan's sight, Though they drink throughout the night At the back.

v. In a dark and noisome cell, Hear that maddened drunkard yell Like the very fiends of hell — Hear him roar ! And his head against tho walls Dashes till he bleeding falls Bruised and helpless—there he sprawls^ On the floor. n. Comes the hour when White-horsed Day Chases Night her mares away, "When the gate 3of Dawn, tjhey say, Phccbus opes, And the glorious sun shines down Over all the slumbering town, Gilding spire and peak and crown On tho slopes.'; vn.J Little Helios rocked, not lie, Whether men wore bond or free, * Rich or sunk in poverty, Serfs or Ozars. So his radiant glances fell On the saint and iniidel, Peeping in tho prison cell Through the bars. i

VIII. And his golden sunbeams fall On the bare and white-washed wall, Casting radiance over all Ghastly things, Playing with the tangled. hair Of that prostrate drunkard there, While the lark high in tho air Gaily sings. IX. Now he rises from tho floor, With his sleeve wipes off the gore, And his head is very sore Poor old bloke ! Feels his coppers fiery hot, Wishes he could get a " tot," Not a copper has he got, — He's stone-broke I K. Slowly drag the hours along Till the blear-eyed ragged throng Come to answer for their wrong To the beak. Short the shrift for such as ho, " Drunken and disorderly ;" " Forty shillings for tho spree, Or a week." _ -

' '- ■ ' \ ,-. „:■' - xi .:■]■■ • ■ Draw the curtain !- Let it be ! / What is this pariah t.o thee,' ' ' ' ■ Thou s'weVtf-smeiiing 'Pharisee ?

Lo ! where gloomy shadows fall, Stalks a policeman stout and tall, Wishing he could make a haul— Someono bono ; When there stumbles past his beat, Hiccuping in accents sweet, One who fancies all the street Is his own. IV. Then behold that pooler swoop, Like a hound from out the loop, And that wandering toper scoop, With a grin ; Seize his elbow and his wrist, Give his arm a gentle twist — " Come ! you'd bettor not resist," Runs him in.

Only where !&e hopes lie dead, Where the children cry for bread/ : •> ).. . Bitter' tears fdrshu& are shed — -■ , !.-■■>}£ ' ' ' " '"'■% " AUTOMATHES. ;