A Sturdy Pauper.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5257, 13 May 1895, Page 2

A Sturdy Pauper.

A very vigorous old gentleman named John Soer, who gave his age aa ninetyfive, made his appearance at the North London Police Court a few weeks ago under Home what peculiar circumstances. It seems that Soer was an inmate of the Islington Workhouse, and after obtaining leave of abeence for one afternoon, was walking out of the institution with a bundle under his arm when he was accosted by the porter. The porter wanted to know something about the contents of the bundle, and Soer, by way of reply, bit the official in the face, and aeked if he thought him a thief. The porter took the old man to the receiving ward for the purpose of reporting the matter to the master, but on the way Soer made a lunge at his captor with a knife and cut him across the thumb knuckle of the right hand. After a violent struggle the knife was taken from Soer, who then seized a poker and struck the porter on the back. When the old man was deprived of the poker he picked up a shovel, and waa attempting to continue the assault when a policeman arrived on the scene. All these facts came out in evidence before the Magistrate, and when the witnesses' statements were read over to Soer, who is deaf, he became very excited and violent, and had to be held by the gaoler and his assistant. He declared that he was not eorry for anything he had Baid or done, and loudly denounced the porter as a scoundrel and a Though he was ninety-five years of age he would strike any man who struck him. The Magistrate ordered that Soer should, be sent to gaol for six weeks, and when the* old man waa informed of the decision he gesticulated wildly, and shouted "Send me to prison for six months; it is better. than the workhouse." It subsequently transpired that Soer is a Frenchman:, and 'that he commenced a criminal career in London Borne fifty years ago. He has certainly retained an extraordinary supply of vitality to the end of hit long and chequered career, and is a very good example of what England might have been saved by an Unbearable Immigrants Bill.