AN AMUSING COMPLAINT.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 125, 29 May 1895, Page 4

AN AMUSING COMPLAINT.

Mail). Magistrates, officials and spectators wore convulsed a few mornings ago, when a very aged man named John Egau sued-Elizabeth-Moss at the Fleniington Court for IDs witges and 10s for fowls, which the defendant was said to have retained. The old man appeared in Court respectably clad and took his seat at the barrister's table. lie had a lemonade bottle containing some lluid sticking prominently out of his pocket, and every now and then he would take a draught from the bottle. When lii.3 case was called, ho entered the witness box, and after being sworn to the amusement of all in court and the astonishment of the Bench, raised tho bottle to his lips and took a long pull at tho already much diminished contents. lie then explained that having auswercd an advertisement in tho Age for a ' handy man,' he was engaged by tho defendant at 2s (id per week. After being thero a couple of weeks—a pause and a drink—he found tho place didn't ' shuit,' and he wanted Ids wages (laughter). The defendant said tho old ' gentleman ' was given a homo as an ' act of charity.' lie had told her ho had ,£2t)(,o in tho bank—(Plaintiff: ' What's this got to do with the case ?') —and all he would do was to sit down in the yard and sing. (Loud laughter, which was intensified when the complainant, after having another • pull,' joined in.) Ho had been asked to milk tho cow, ' and after anchoring the animal's hind leg with a log of wood and a lot of old harness, tho cow kicked him over.' (Koars of laughter, during which plaintill again resorted to tho bottle.) He then got up and poked his iingerin thoanimal's eye. (Kenoweiilaughter). After that ho wanted to bring witness a cup of tea when she was in bed, but she wouldn't let him, ' as he was a wicked old man.' (Groat laughter, in which the magistrates heartily joined.) Tho complainuut shook his list at tho soft impeachment. He was again con. suming some of tho contents of tho bottle, when Sergeant O'Meara pounced on it and put it away. The .Bench made an ordor for the amount claimed, and getting his bottla restored to him, tho veteran, who began his life when George IV. was king, hobbled out of court victorious.