The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-08-09 00:00:00

A GOOD REFORMER.

An individual was brought before the magistrates charged
with having driven a spring cart very furiously along the
streets. The inspector of police, one or two officers, and
other persons, had seen the defendant driving furiously in
different parts of the town. The defendant described his
pony as a very rusty animal, that would have its own way
sometimes. A witness, who appeared for the defendant,
made a very long speech, in which he said the pony was both
very stubborn and very lively. The accusers swore that the
defendant flogged the pony most cruelly, and the eloquent
witness alluded to confirmed this view of the case ; for, he
said, after the pony had evinced a disposition to have its own
way by standing still, it at length started off in a brisk trot,
when the defendant certainly did lay into it a bit. Mr.
Rushton ordered the defendant to pay a fine of 5s and costs.
The defendant looked astonished for a moment, and then
assuming a threatening look, he said, " I have been a
reformer, mind." " I don't care what you have been,"
said Mr. Rushton, "you have committed an offence against
the law, and must take the consequences. Pay the fine."
" I have been a reformer," said the defendant, looking still
more terrible ; " but if this is your reform, I have done with
it. Mind, you have had me, but you will have me no more."
" Silence, silence !" exclaimed the officers, "No more of
your reform fbr me," reiterated the defendant; " I have been
a reformer." " But," said Mr. Rushton, unable to proceed
with the business, " you are not to disturb this court—so
pay your money and go away quietly, or I shall have to do
something still more unpleasant." The defendant threw
down the money indignantly, exclaiming, " You have had
my votes before, but you'll get no more of them. Good
morning, Sir."

FRACAS BETWEEN GENTLEMEN.
Mr. James Curry, surgeon, appeared before Messrs.
Rushton and Maxwell, to answer a chargeef having assaulted
Mr. William Bell, clerk of accounts at the Grand Junction
Railway Station at Edge-hill. Mr. Clay, solicitor, appeared
for the complainant. Mr. Bell stated, that a few days back
Mr. Curry called upon him, and asked him to pay a certain
sum of money, which was due to Mr. M'Cloud. Mr. Curry
produced a blank stamp with Mr. M'Cloud's name at the
bottom of it. The stamp was not filled up. He (Mr. Curry)
said he had a letter authorising him to receive the money.
He (Mr. Bell) told him he could not pay the money under
those circumstances. He would not pay it without a written
order. Mr. Curry left the office, and shortly afterwards one
of the men came in and told him that Mr. Curry was tra-
ducing his character in the yard. He (Mr. Bell) went down,
and after asking him why he did so, told him that he was no
gentleman. Upon this Mr. Curry attempted to pull his
(Mr. Bell's) nose, but he prevented him by holding up his
arm. Mr. Curry then struck him (Mr. Bell) a violent blow
on his nose, and knocked him down..
Cross-examined by Mr. Curry.—Mr. Curry produced a
letter to him (Mr. Bell), which he stated contained a written
order for the money. He (Mr. Bell) was not aware that Mr.
Curry read that order. Mr. Curry laid the letter on the
table. He (Mr. Bell) had not agreed to pay the money on
that day, but had said he would look into it if Mr. Curry
did call.

Mr. Rushton said the case was one of assault, and the
money transactions had nothing to do with it.
Mr. Curry said the money affair led to it. Mr. Bell had
used the improper words which he stated, and that exasper-
ated him. He was certainly sorry for all that had occurred,
and he had expressed as much to Mr. Bell. He certainly
had an'order for the money, which he produced, and he was
fully authorised to receive it. He repeated that he was very
sorry, hut he was provoked exceedingly.
Mr. Clay said Mr. Bell had not brought this matter for-
ward himself, but the Grand Junction Company had done
so, as they were determined to protect their servants.
Mr. Rushton said he thought a small fine would meet
the justice of the case. Mr. Curry was fined 20s. and costs.