The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-07-09
TRAVELLING SKETCHES.


SO far, all the cases tried, have been
of petty character. Here is one how
ever, which requires the attendance of
two magistrates. A couple of public
characters are charged with robbing a
French sailor of 500 francs in gold.
Before the case is called, second
guardian of the law is summoned from
an adjoining chamber. The French
Consul is in attendance. A pawn
broker is charged with being PGrtscep'
criminis, having received, without In
quiry, most of the stolen money from
the demireps, in exchange for the gew-
gaws with which such characters gen.
orally bodeck themselves. "Do you
wish a trial ?" asks the presiding magis-
trate. If so, we will be compelled to
commit you, in which case, you may
be transported ?" I'VE are guilty yer
honor, and please be as aisy as ye
can" responds both the culprits, but
we were drunk at the time, yer honor. "
Six months imprisonment, and that
isn't half what you deserve, and if /
ever find you guilty Of q similar crime,
l will see that you receive your de-
serts." Turning to the representative
of the three balls, he says: I" l real
ly believe that you deserve similar
punishment, but as the publication Of
your name cannot fail to inJure you,
l will dismiss you with a reprimand.
Remember, however, that if this expose
proves to be an insufficient punish
ment, you will be very apt eventually
to feel the full penalty of the law.
A few minutes after, Messrs. McIver
& Co., the well-known shippers, ap-
pear as complainants against team
ster and dock hand, who are charged
with the objectionable crime of taking
couple of bottles of porter from
cask, which had the misfortune to roll
off dray. 1t is in vain an explana-
ton is attempted that they could not
repack the contents as closely as pro
fessional packer, and that it was Gus
tomary in such cases for men to help
themselves to what was left over. All
is Of no avail. Yes" responds the
irate Briton, an evident lover of the
'alf and 'alf, but what about your
stealing, you know ? what has all this
got to do with your theft of the porter !?
The fact of the matter is, you belong
to a class of men who must be taught
to believe that it is more profitable to
be honest people than thieves. Hon
esty is the best policy, you know, and
you have no right to take what dOn't
belong to you. The teamster, whose
conduct was very discreditable, but
who seems on the whole to have borne
a good character, will be fined & and
costs, and the party who assisted hirn.
will be committed for trial We have
seen enough Of liverpool justice we
have asked ourselves the question,
"ouppose the same justice was melted
out to the robbers in high places,
where would English society be ~
Echo answers where
As we are hungry, visit is paid to
a Coffee-house. We are scarcely seat
ed, before lad, apparently about IL
years Of age, enters with basket OF
chips. " Sell these cheap, sir f.; sell
'em all for fourpence, and its good
basket TOO, sir" Get out, or I'll
kick you out ; don't come round here
again, remember that" is the kindly
encouragement Pm very hungry,
sir, and I'll sell 'em for my breakfast.
It's taken me since six o'clock to get
'em, sir, and you may ave 'em all, il
you'll give me my breakfast" again
chimes in the applicant. A rush for a
poker follows, and as the youth rushes
into the street, the majestic admoni-
ton, Honesty's the best policy,
rings in our ears. The best policy,
forsooth Ten chances to one but
that inside of FIVE years, that young
man, to-day the victim of brutality, is
not a. member Of one Of the chain
gangs at Portland, and all because he
found honesty wouldn't pay!
We have little time for moralizing,
howev The tender leaves the dock
in an hour, and although the weather
prognosticators have thrown half OF
England into panic concerning the
terrible storm, which is TO sweep over
the ocean on, or about the 9th of Octo-
Der, and thereby delayed the return Of
thousands Of excursionists, our engage
ment must be kept, and our safety en-
trusted to the sea going qualities of
the goOdly City of Washington"
Arrived at the dock, all is hustle and
confusion In the middle Of the stream,
with prows pointed oceanwards and
steam up, ride the WASHINGTON "
and HISTORIAN" the one destined
for New York, the other for Quebec
Among the parties who attract most
attcnt'NT, is newsgirl, who, with
stcntonan voice, announces, " 'eres
your Times, POonch and Jordy," to tie
disgust Of her male rivals, whose stock
seems to suffer no diminution.