, 1880-11-19
How a Man was Proved a Pauper


that Friendly Societies of England and
Wales have q membership of 100000
persons, relates this experience, which
illustrates some Of the characteristics of
the English lower class
Some years ago was travelling in a
third-class carriage in the South of Eng
land. l was alone in my compartment,
while the other one became nearly quite
filled up at one of tie stations where we
stopped by number of builders men.
One Of these, who seemed not too sober,
shortly began to utter a volley OF the
most horribly foul language. l called
over to him in a quiet way:
"Neighbor, will you be kind enough
to use language little more decent for
yours is distressing for other people to
hear"
He turned around to "tackle" his in.
terlocutor, very indignant that / should
venture to take him to task, and his
companions seemed to prick up his ears
in an amused and sympathetic interest.
81 should Iike to know" he said, "what
the whatty what business the likes of
you has got to find fault with the likes
of me. I'm a free-born Englishman,
and I'll say just what I choose"
"Well, but" L rejoined, "I'm free
born Englishman, too, and I'm not
bound to listen to the foul language you
use, and I won't"
"Well, if you don't like my language
what business have you here 1 don't
see what right gentleman has in a
third-class carriage
eff you come to rights" L rejoined,
"you'll allow that if you choose to take
a frst-class ticket, you would have
right in a frst-class carriage9 You
wouldn't stand my telling the guard to
put you out would you"
Certainly not" he replied, "I'd Just
like to see him try"
"Then, surely, if 1 choose to spend my
money in third-class ticket, have
right in third-class carriage
"Well, may be so; but then you must
take your choice of the conve, sation.
You're a gentleman, ] suppose; and | say
again gentleman has no business in
third,class carriage"
A hum of applause followed this piece
OF logic.
"My good fellow" said, ''you've no
right to call names
81 didn't call you any Names" he re-
joined.
"You did," I said, "you called me
gentleman. How dared you do il"
SWELL" said he, quite taken aback,
"you're parson, l suppose"
"Yes,' l replied; "but you called me
q gentleman. What do you know about
me--you, who have never seen me in
your life, before-to have the impudence
to call me such namel But, !" added,
''fair is fair. You have called me a
name that you can show no reason for.
Now, l will call you name and give
you reason for it. And your mates
shall Judge between US. And if they
say I'm wrong I'll beg your pardon"
"All right, master, that's fair enough
said one or two of his companions, and
the rest sat watching us with pricked up
ears
"Well," / continued, "my free-born
Englishman, the name ] call you is
pauper."
He jun led up, as if to scramble over
and strike me, and his comrades began
to look very furious, 1 jumped up, too,
to meet him, with studied alacrity,
which, l rightly Judged, would tend to
check his ardor, and crying out, "Fair
play Tn coming over to prove my
words" / sprang across into the one
vacant seat Of the partition, among
them all, and faced my opponent.
"My lad" l said to the man on my
right, "are you in a clubP
"Yes," he sale, "the Forresters,"
Are you ?" | went on, to the man on
my left.
Eyes; I'm in the Amalgamated En-
gineers"
And you," l asked third, "what
club are you in"
"The Handin-H Hand"
The fourth and fifth were Odd Eel,
lows, and so on.
As l happened to have heard and
noted their conversation when they en-
tered the carriage, and had gathered
that they were ali about to make pay
ments to their clubs, except my rhetor'
ical friend, who had mentioned having