THE SEAMY SIDE.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17570, 8 March 1929, Page 6

THE SEAMY SIDE.

TALES TOLD TO MAGISTRATE, ' SIDNEY AND WHISKY. (Bv R. E. CORDER. in the London Daily Mail.) Half a dozen men charged •at Lambeth Police Court recently with being drunk appeared in the dock for the first time. Sidney, a tali!., well-built man of about 30, was suffering from alcoholic depression. He came into court leaning on the arm of the smiling gaoler and weeping bitterly. “What is the matter with you?” inquiret Mr. McKenna, the magistrate. “I am miserable, sir,” confessed Sidney, sobbing into his handkerchief. “You don’t nkow (sniff) how depressed (sob) 1 am. I am the most miserable man in the whole world. (Interval lor weeping.) “He was drunk.” said the constable in the wise. “He was very drunk; he mas so drunk that he stood in front of an omnibus, and 1 arrested him for his own safety.” “Mv poor old dad,” blubbered Sidney. “He has always told me to cheer up and not lie silly. (Sobs.) But I lost my best friend when I lost my mother, (llorrents of tears.) You don’t know my mother, sir. If she could only see me now.” V “If you are really in trouble.” remarked the magistrate, “you had bet> ter see the court missionary.’; “Dad. dad.” moaned Sidney, making great play with liis handkerchief. “Half a crown!” ordered the magistrate sharply. “Mother,” wailed Sidney, leaning oil the shoulder of the gaoler, who helped him from the> dock. “What do you make of him?” I whispered to the gaoler as Sidney disappeared. pressing a moist liaudkerchief to his eyes. “Whisky.” replied the gaoler tersely. “He hasn’t got over it.”