HIS MEANS OF SUPPORT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 8, 20 February 1892, Page 192

HIS MEANS OF SUPPORT.

‘ This makes the third time that you have appeared before me charged with begging on the streets,* said the Judge, ‘ and, although yon are a woman, I will have to send you up for thirty days.’. • Flease don’t do it. Judge,’ sobbed the woman. ‘ I have a large family to support, and what would my husband and my children do if you were to send me up ?’ . ‘ Your husband ? Have you, indeed, a husband ?’ ‘ Yes, your Honor,’said a man, stepping forward from the crowd. ‘I am her husband, and I want to ask you to be lenient with her. She makes out like she’s too sick to work, but if you let her out this time I’ll see to it that she works in the future and supports her family.’ • I don’t think you will,’ said the Judge. ‘ln fact, I’m going to let the woman go and send you up for six months as a vagrant. Yon have no visible means of support.’ And the man muttered as he was marched out : ‘ No visible means of support ? Good Lord ! Ain’t my wife in court?’