I could see him
from the verandah, and I sent Jim to offer him shelter in an
outbuilding. Jim was one of the two boys who had represented the
public in the jury box at the Palmerston court seven years before.
He came back, and said the man declined the offer of shelter; never
slept under a roof winter or summer, if he could help it; had lived
in the open air for twelve years, and never stayed a night in any
building, except for three months, when he was in Melbourne gaol. He
had been arrested by a constable near Palmerston seven years before,
although he had done nothing, and a fool of a beak, with a long grey
beard, had given him three months, while two puppies of boys were
sitting in the jury box laughing at him.
He also gave some paternal advice to the youth, which, like a great
deal of other paternal advice, was rejected as of no value.
"Never you go to Melbourne, young man," he said, "and if you do,
never stop in any boarding-house, or public. They are full of
vermin, brought in by bad characters, mostly Government officers and
bank clerks, who have been in Pentridge. Don't you never go near
'em."
This advice did not sound very respectful; however, I overlooked it
for the present, as it was not unlikely I might have the advantage of
seeing him again in custody, and I sent to him across the road some
hot tea, bread, butter, and beef.
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