Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Foreign News
February 20, 1883
Idaho Semi Weekly World
Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho
What is this article about?
In London, an organ-grinder escaped a fine for disturbing a resident by claiming he did not speak English and misinterpreted the man's angry gestures as an invitation to dance, amusing the judge who released him.
Clipping
OCR Quality
100%
Excellent
Full Text
A London organ-grinder recently escaped a fine by a very ingenious excuse.
He had been playing before the house of an irascible old gentleman, who furiously, and with wild gesticulations, ordered him to "move on." The organ-grinder stolidly ground on, and was arrested for his disturbance. At the trial the judge asked him why he did not leave when requested. "No spik Inglese," was the reply.
"Well," said the judge, "but you must have understood his gestures, his motions."
"I tinkee he come to dance," was the rejoinder, that caused the judge to laugh heartily and let the musician go.
He had been playing before the house of an irascible old gentleman, who furiously, and with wild gesticulations, ordered him to "move on." The organ-grinder stolidly ground on, and was arrested for his disturbance. At the trial the judge asked him why he did not leave when requested. "No spik Inglese," was the reply.
"Well," said the judge, "but you must have understood his gestures, his motions."
"I tinkee he come to dance," was the rejoinder, that caused the judge to laugh heartily and let the musician go.
What sub-type of article is it?
Legal Anecdote
Humorous Incident
What keywords are associated?
London Organ Grinder
Court Trial
Language Excuse
Street Musician
Judge Laughter
Where did it happen?
London
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Outcome
the organ-grinder was released without fine.
Event Details
An organ-grinder played outside an irascible old gentleman's house, ignored orders to move on, was arrested, and at trial claimed not to speak English and thought the gestures meant to dance, amusing the judge.