PESTILENT PULLEN.

NZ Truth, Issue 70, 20 October 1906, Page 8

PESTILENT PULLEN.

Low-down Brute Biffed.

An essay, couched m clear, terse, and vigorous language could be written with a sulphur-dipped nib on the ethics of swearing, winding -up with the Scriptural injunction to " swear not at all," but the question is : at what age should a person be when he could well be expected to possess an intimate knowledge of the argot of the gutter, the idiom of the slums, the cursing of the foul-mouthed, and the nrofanity of the "drums" ? It is a moot question ; it all depends upon circumstances. Evil parents, or contact with evil associates .mans an early, start, and after that %\m

acquisition of the whole gamut of obnoxious language from the -simple but sometimes highly excusable "damn" to the most foul terms m the realm of obscenity is easy. It is quite a common thinpc, unfortunately, to bear the veriest youngsters come out with such filthy expressions as to shock the hardened passer by. They know it's wrong, too, and only use the sinful terms when by themselves, and think they are not within hearing distance of grown ups. But what about a young man of twenty-three ; should he. or should he not be expected to have a knowledge of obscene language ? Colonials, or most of 'era!, would unhesitatingly reply m the affirmative, and would class an individual of. that age who lacked such knowledge as an "innocent." No doubt it would he well if everybody could have that term applied to them m thiss particular connection, but m this wicked world that cannot be. However, Magistrate Day, of Chris tchurch, thinks that a young fellow of twenty-three shouldn't know anything about obsoene languasre, and he expressed surprise t'other day at a fellow of youthful aspect named John Edward Pullen being arraigned on such a charge. He said the accused's education m this particular line had apparently been fairly proficient m early age. He didn't think it m any way creditable at any rate. It was a very bad case. The foul-mouthed blackguard had got wined up, and was with some companions m Lower High-street when he noticed two women enter Riach's butoher shop. He followed them rin, and acted m such a disgraceful %av towards one of them that. Riach remonstrated, and ordered him out. When on the footpath he stood and reviled the butcher m most obscene language. Mr Harvey, who appeared for this beautiful specimen of young manhood, admitted the ugly charge, and asked for the imposition of a fine instead of imprisonment. He asked the Bench ito take into consideration the fact that two or three hours after the occurrence Pullen, on being; informed of what he had done while m a state of alcohol, went back and apologised to the butcher. The young fellow was of respectable parents, and hadn't been convicted before. The S.M. said he never sent a man to gaol for a first offence of this sort. He fined accused £5 and costs. In doing so he very rightly animadverted on the too common use of- dirt-"- language m public streets, and said it must be put a stop to. The next time puling, pestilential Pullen opens his clapper to. em itfilth he will go to 'quod for sure.