was brought before a Glasgow magistrate, charged with
stealing a handkerchief from a gentleman’s pocket. The indictment having
been read, the bailie, addressing the boy, said:
"I ha’e nae doot ye did the deed,
for I had a handkerchief ta’en out of my ain pouch this vera week, sae ye
maun gang to the jail for sixty days."
The assessor here interposed,
stating that the case had not yet been proved against the boy.
"Oh then, in that case," said the
worthy bailie, "I’ll just gi’e ye thirty days."
But on being again informed that
even this sentence was contrary to law, he finally disposed of the case by
saying:
"Weel, my lad, the evidence seems a
wee bit jimp this time, so I’ll let ye aff; but see and no do it again!"
