A MODERN MICAWBER

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 91, 12 January 1926, Page 3

A MODERN MICAWBER

AMUSING EVIDENCE IN COURT

PROFESSOR SENT TO GAOL

A modern counterpart of Dickens s famous character, Micawber, the man "ho spent his lif? in “waiting tor something to turn up.” occupied the dock in the Magistrates Court yesterday. The gentleman in question was .John Miller, a professor of elocution and languages, who appeared on a charge of being nil - and disorderly. "This man is an out-and-out vagrant and a general nuisance.” said C'hicEDetcctivc Kemp, in outlining the case. “Tic arrived here in August Inst, and has done Tittle or no work, except to cadge from people.” ( "Ono moment.” interrupted Miller. I have been to the Director of Education to tsy ami get work as a teacher. I am an agent for an insect exterminator, and hope to derive over JilOO a month as soon as it is started.” “Do you?” said the chief detective. “I think you are like Micawber—always waiting for something to turn up. You have great expectations.” “I don’t like sarcasm,” was the rc'O“No, nor work either,” said the chief detective. . Do you remember visiting the Hotel on onq occasion? Accused: Yes. You collapsed there, did you not’— “Yes. I was doped.” (Laughter.) Oh! You were doped were you?— Yes, and when I came to my glasses had been smashed and my money taken. lhen that night they told mo to go to hell. (Laughter.) Where were vou when you canns tor—“ln a bath.” (Laughter.) How did you get there?—‘l haven t the faintest idea. I told you I was d °You spent the day in the bath (hen?— “I am a clean fellow inside and out. (Renewed laughter.) . But there was no water in the bath?— “That may be so.” How much money did you have on you ?—"Between 30s. and 405.. which I had collected for the insecticide. . . . “Which was fourteen thousand miles away,” observed the chief detective as he resumed his seat. Mr. Orr Walker. S.M.: What is to b» done with this man, Chief Detective? Mr. Kemp: I suggest a term of imprisonment. , . . The Magistrate reserved his decision until the afternoon session, when he announced that after having given the case consideration he had come to the conclusion lhat Tic must impose a term of imprisonment. Accused was sentenced to two mouths imprisonment with hard labour.