A Denaby Veteran Summoned.

Christopher Spence, labourer, Denaby, was charged with drunkenness at Denaby on the 23^rd July.

P.S. Midgely proved the case, saying he had found him very drunk in the highway.

Defendant, on being asked for an explanation, entered into the following thrilling harangue:

“I’m extremely sorry I had been that drunk. But having been to all parts of the world in my life, through the Crimean War in 1854, and being in the Navy at sea for 11 years, not to speak of 15 in the Army, and I have never been drunk before. (Laughter.)

I have been shipwrecked three times, and have been the means of saving 11 people from a watery grave. Only last winter I broke the ice and saved a child of eight or nine years from a dreadful death.

In this case the fault lies partly with my mental state. When I was a young man I was blown off a yard arm in a storm and sustained an accident. I was 18 days on a desert island without a bite of food, and lately I have been 19 years with one firm, and never done anything wrong. I have been in active service in South America and the East Indies.

In this case, well, it was election time and I had been recording my vote for Fison and forget myself.” (Laughter.)

The chairman: as you give yourself such a good character we shall dismiss the case, but don’t do it again.

Another drunk from Denaby. – A miner, named Robert Reynolds, of Denaby, was charged with drunkenness at that place on the 20^th July.

PC Midgley proved the case, and defendant was fined 3s. And costs, or seven days.