A POET IN TROUBLE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 30, 18 January 1912, Page 8

A POET IN TROUBLE.

At Ballarat just before Christmas, Detective Craig, while.following a supposed burglar through tho city at a late hour, encountered in the “darkness a patriarchal individual riding a bicycle. The man, whoso name is Edward Harris, had long flowing hair and beard, and was under the influence of drink. An officer therefore conveyed him to the lock-up, where ho described himself as a poet and a philosopher, and intimated that ho would, before going into the cell, like to he supplied with beer and tobacco. Ho put liis request as follows: With a chew I well could do, But something wetter would bo hotter. The lock-up keeper, Constable Ghirk, said the professor was far too profound for him, and he therefore hurried him into the cell. The prisoner slumbered until daylight, when ho again broke into rhyme. Thrusting his head through the trap-door of tho cell lie exclaimed: — Christmas comes but once a year, And then a man gets full of beer, And wakes to find himself in here. The professor next indulged in several recitations of a dramatic character, and when being led into Court he sang:— But what’s the odds? There’s beer in store, When I get out I’ll have some more. The Magistrate said lie was sorry to see a poet and philosopher drowning his ability in beer, but as it was the Christmas season they would deal leniently with him. Accused was therefore discharged with a caution.