A "FASTING MAN."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10347, 23 January 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

A "FASTING MAN."

The boom in fasting men has long since ((one off, lb is not likely to receivo a stimulus from the revelations made lately in the Whitechapel County Court, when Alexandra Jacques, of fasting fume, sued the proprietors of " Wonderland," an East End show, for £15 salary. Mr. Longstaffe sfcntod that the plaintiff was engaged by Mr. Wolff to fast at " Wonderland," at a salary of £0 a week. Plaintiff started fasting on September 21, and continued fasting till October 21 of last year. He was allowed to partako of lemonade and a secret powder and smoke cigarettes. Tho plaintilf, called and examined, described " Wonderland" as a " sixpenny show." (Laughter). Ho admitted that there was a counterclaim for £1 8s 6d against him for cigarettes. Judge Bacon: Whab is the defence ? Surely you do not suggest that a fasting man should abstain from his salary (Laughter). Plaintiff: I had no refreshments except lemonade. Mr. Morris: I

suggesb you lived on sugnr. Plaintiff: No, no. Mr. Morris: You did uot subsist on pure water. Judge Bacon: Ho just now admitted that he took sugar and water. Mr. Morris; An American competed with you? Maintiff: Yos. Mr. Morris: Yμ, and then you got no more sugar and lemon' ade. Mr. Wood manager of" Wonderland " said that the fasting wns not real. Judge Bacon: I supposo not. You connived at the fraud, and now you do not want to pay. Did tho " committee" connive at this cating and drinking ? Defendant: They did not see it. Judge Bacon : What a useful committee ! Mr. Lougetaffe : Did not Mr. Wolff get a testimonial from the plaintiff for his cigarettes? Judge Bacon : What on earth does 3s 6d for a supper mean ? Defendant: That was when he commenced to fast. (Laughter). Judge Bacon; There will bo judgment for the plaintiff for his salary, and he must pay for the sugar and lemonade.