THE PICKPOCKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 13 January 1926, Page 8

THE PICKPOCKET.

"LIFE IS HARD." Dialogue between Mr. McMahon, S.M., and a pickpocket at the Sydney Central Police recently:— S.MT~consulting the man's criminal record: There doesn't seem to be much left for you to do i does there ? You've covered practically everything. Accused: No, but won't your Worship give mc another chance. I've been working hard lately. S.M.: Record dates back to 1900, when you were convicted of assaulting the police. Accused: Yes- I'm getting up in years now. Won't you give mc another chance? S.M.: You have served long gaol sentences. Here is one of five years for breaking and entering. Accused: That's wrong; I didn't serve half before they released mc, and I went to the war. S.M.: So you've had war service, then. Well, that's in your favour. Accused: It ought to be. I was away from the country for seven years. S.M-: It seems a pity that you came back. Accused: It is a pity. I'm sorry I ever came back. What's mc prospects? Here I go and make" another mistake, and (a motion of disgust). S.M.: It's become a habit with you. You've got to be take care of for your own sake. Accused heard the axe fall in stunned silence. "Six months' gaol, and recommended to be declared an habitual criminal-" "My Gawd, life's hard," he sighed, and with slumped shoulders stepped through the sliding door into the cells behind.