A COUNTRYMAN'S NOTION OF THE LAW.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 846, 5 August 1871, Page 3

A COUNTRYMAN'S NOTION OF THE LAW.

James Harvey, aged 33, a commercial traveller, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in 8t George's Road, Southwark. —a Prisoner, at a few minutes to one o'clock on Sunday morning entered a coffee-house in St George's Eoad and said he wanted a bed for the night. The keeper of the house told him he had "no empty room. Upon hearing this the prisoner said he knew the law better than the keeper did, and should not leave until a bed was provided, as he was entitled to it by law. He then sat down and persisted in stopping. A policeconstable was sent for, who, after some difficulty, got prisoner into the street. He then became very noisy and followed the officer about, so that it was necessary to take him into custody. He had been drinking.—Mr Chance: What have you to say to this charge ? —Prisoner: I had only arrived a Bhort time from Norfolk, and wanted a lodging. I had always understood, according to law, that the coffee-house keeper was bound to find me a lodging ; and if he did not, it was the constable's duty to show me where to get one.— (laughter). Mr Chance said that was a wrong notion of the and the police had quite enough to do without that. —Prisoner: I am very sorry; but I thought I was acting according to the law.—Mr Chance said prisoner was liable to a heavy penalty, but as he might have been misinformed of the law, he would only be fined 3s.—English Paper.