Shall I or Not ?
Considerable amusement wa3 caused before Judge Bacon at Whifieehapel County Court, when Mrs Donegan defeo-ifd sn action brought agdn't her b? Mr T.-rrable for the price ot a wdnti'^g machine.
Defendant : And is it ths illc^y vvoney they want ? I don't want the wringer a? all at all ; let them take ib back and not be after troubling a poor woman.
Judge Bacon : Bui that i 3 not basiness. Defendant : Businpss, bedad ! We!], sorr, I think it will be moighty fine business for them. — (Laughter.) How much do they say I owe?
Plaintiff : £2 53 6d
Defendant: It is £1 more than it is worth. Why did he nob come for the money for ? I would not be owing so much now if he called every Saturday, as he said.
Plaintiff : We called many times ; you were always out.
Defendant: What are yez after with your interfering ways ? Cannot ye lat a poor ould woman spake to the gentleman ? Plaintiff : She was never ab home*
Defendant : None of yer impudence, young man. -I've nob insulted you, and doa'b you me. Plaintiff : We object to take it back. Defendant : Object away, darlin'. — (Laughter.) Th 9 Usher : Bd quiet. Defendant : Isu't that quiet I am. — (Laughter.)
Plaintiff : The wringer would be worn by now.
Defendant : Young man, did you ever have an ould mother ? — (Laughter.) It is not worn. I have nob been well enough to work. It is true my ouH man might have helped me. He is oub of wo-k and should help me, but hs won't do it. He's like the rest of them, and it's little goo 1 they are, always saving your riverence.— (Laughter.)
Judge Bacon : Was this a sale or a hiring agreement ? Defendant : A hire.
Plaintiff : It was sold outright. Judge Bacon : You are trying to deceive the court. Here is tha agreement ; it is for the hire. Plaintiff : I did nob know that. Judge Bacon : You must have kuown. Defendant : Satire, your Honor, he did. Those Jaw fellows
Plaintiff: We are not Jews, we are Christians. Defendant : Then it is sorry lam for yez. — (Laughter.) I'll give up the machine.
Judge Bacon : Then you will have to pay 14s 6d for arrears of hire and 3s costs.
Defendant: Holy saints ! — (Laughter.) Is ifc all that money ? Then if ye please I'll keep the wringer. — (Laughter. )
Judge Bacon: Theu you will have to pay £2 5j 6d, and 13s costs.
Defendant : B*dcs:>s to the machine. — (Loud laughter.) Waste ver's to be done ? I had bsfcrer jpub up with the first loss, hadn't I, Lauivnce (tuiulng to her son), and give it back ? Laurence : Yes, mother. Defendant : And yet — is is a good machine, and I've paid some, and shall have to pay more. I'll keep it, shall I, Laurence ? Laurence : Yes, mother. — (Laughter.)
Defendant : I'll keep ifc if your Honor lets me pay 33 a month.
Judge Bacon: We will arrange that when you've made up youi inintl.
Defendant : It's a lot of trouble I have with one S'<n wrong in his head and my ould man doing nothing. I will give it up. Shall I, Laurence-? Laurence : Ve 3, mother. — (Loud laughter ) Defendant : Arr*b, but the money I have paid all for nothing. Wnat shall Ido ? If your 'Siuaor was a pojr ould voami loike myself w:ih a husband ill aad tv s<ra an omadhaun, what would you do yours/if ? — (Loud laughter. )
Judge Bacon : I tkink you hanker after the machine. Defendant : I like work. Judge B=icf;n : You like the wringer? Defendant : Still ib is a lot of money to pay. It> a j.>ily sbMns. Judge Biro>: .- That's an inappropriate adjective to put heft- ro shame.
Defendant : I cannot- afford rnors than 2s a moufch.
Judge B*con: You said 3 s just now.
Defendant : Indeed; was io 3a. I was after aayin' ? Your Honor, has a good- memory anyonecau see. — (Laughter.)
Judge Bacon : Three shillings a month. Now'this is a debt for the machine — not for the hire. Defendant ; It is my very own?
Judge Baccn : Ib h your very own. You can pjwu ib to-morrow if you like.
Defendant: It's nob that I would bs doing. Ct>iße alcßg, Lia.ui - etice. You should hare helped m« instead of aOandin' savin' nothing. You're like the men — ao use when we want ye. — (Laughter.)
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