The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-07-18 00:00:00

A HARD CASE.

The following letter, with the above heading,
appeared in The Times of Wednesday :
Sir,—l was coming front Liverpool to London on foot for
employment, wltteil I should have had if I had been there in
time. I arrived at Doustalkle on the evening of tile 9th of
April, having walked twenty milts that day from Stony
Stratford. and not being able to proceed further, as the night
was advancing, I applied for lodgings at four public-houses,
bid they had no room. An old man suggested that I should
make shift for that night at the "tramp ward," us I should
have to walk twelve miles toSL before I could
get other lodgings. I went to the relieving officer ;
three men and a woman were there waiting. I saw
hint nt the door. A W0111:111 rattle ont and asked
how many there were. She then went in, and returned it
an order to admit live, which she gave to one of the men.
We went to the tramp ward, and were admitted and shown
to our quarters. I had not lain down when a policeman
waned io and said to the wardsmen that some of the
ocenpunts were smoking, whivh was the case. Ile asked me
where I came Irmo, and where I was going. I told ham.
Ile told too to empty my pockets. That I did. Ile took up
illy money, laid reinarked to the wardsrunn, "Oh, I think I
shall makes case of this." 1 said, "Recollect, I do not come
here w ith any plea of destitution. I have applied to four
publichouses, which I can name, for lodgings without
mucus," Ile went away, returned in about an hour,
and told me to go with him. I went with hint to a small
police-station. Ile tend: a slate, and teemed at a loss what
charge to hook malnst me. I suggested, jocularly,
'applying for lodgings with means." Ile lunched me up in
the cell till Saturday, and took rue from there to a private
Muse, where there were Orme .eutlemen, the relieving officer,
tramp w ardsman, and another policeman. I addr,sed them
in a few words to may that, w hate Vet charge they had, I was
entirely innocent. Na charge it as read to me. I was
asked if I pleaded " Guilty " or not. Being embarrassed
soil confused, arid not knowing what to do, I BMA,
"Guilty of applying tor lodgings, not knowing that I had
broken the law." They signed to me Cu, leave the .11,11,
and seemed inclined to settle the matter in lily alk,ence.
When recalled, I was sentenced 10 ball tiool days italori•
Meat arid COSIS of prosecution and of Illallattliallee a bile ill
la iSOII. I was handcuffed, taken by train, twenty milts to
Bedford, and introducvd to the gaoler as an exceptional cte.e,
the person in charge of me saying, '•
I shall deduct
ISL huh. trim this man's a:3 ?.s. for our expenses, for which
jou will give use a receipt keep the reitlldllaer• soul
deduct his alailitellalleo.' I wan net to pick Oftml,. of
nalorm per by, and half starved oil prison diet, for
which they deducted El Is :11. front my money. When dis-
charged, I am sorry that indtwesi to t.ign a book,
r,s I 'rtly received :2s 2,1., and was sot tUnaed to see the
tio.,llloe to get all explanation td may account, as in usual
the dbeharge of a prisoner. The facts that a policeman gave
evidence that I endeavoured to obtain lodgings in rite manner
I have described, that wham applying for shelter !was neither
questioned nor searched I,y the relieving officer or any other
official, and that I made no attempt at concealment, ought to
have sufficed to acquit me. I have lost muelt time anti money
through this occurrence, nod having seen a letter on the
subject of tramps front a lhalfordshireJ.P. in The Timor of
—hursday last, I thought tilia a favourable occasion to expose

groat injukice.
Having for many years borne a high character, I have
felt greatly hint at such an unmerited indignity, aim lope
that nuldielty through your columns may 1,4 to redress. 1
hog tO apologise for thus occupying your vain:o4e space, and
ant. Sir, Your most obeuient semint.
J AMER AUsTIN.
1, Osborn place, Brick-lane, Whitechapel, July 10.