Weekly Mail

ERRANT SWANSEA WIFE. DIVORCE FOLLOWS ELOPEMENT. In the Divorce Court on Saturday (before the President, Sir Gorell Barnes), a case was heard in which Benjamin Thomas, a collier, who had lived at Swansea, sued for a divorce from Margaret Thomas on the ground of her misconduct with William Hughes. The suit was undefended. Mr. Lewis Richards appeared for the petitioner, and stated that the marriage took place on December 26, 1900, at Swansea, and there was one child. For the first five years' the petitioner, who was a collier, lived happily with his wife in Neath-road, Swan- sea. In 1905 he had to go to work at a colliery eighteen miles away, and went home at week-ends. They made the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, who lived near, and Mrs. Hughes, in February 1906, made a com- munication to the petitioner in reference to her husband and the respondent. He spoke to his wife about it. and she denied it. On the following Satur- day he received a telegram purporting to come from his wife: "Come home imme- diat<,ly.-M?"ggie." He then discovered that his wife had left. He heard nothing more of her for some time, but in June last his wife took out a summons against him for persistent ernelty." The magistrates at Swansea, on hearing evidence with regard to the wife's misconduct, dismissed the sum- mons. Petitioner gave evidence in support of counsel's statement, and said that he even- tually found that hia wife had gone to Car- marthen. A witness from Carmarthen gave evidence that the respondent and co-respondent had stayed there together. A decree nisi, with costs, was granted.

WRONGED POSTMISTRESS. COMPLAINS OF HER HUSBAND'S BEHAVIOUR. Before her marriage to Ernest Wood, a telegraph clerk, Mrs. Maria Wood, of Old Trafford, had served in the Poet Office. In the Divoroe Court she sought a dissolution of her marriage om. the grrcmnd of her hus- band. s cruelty, dOIIl, and rodsconductt. Mr. Grazehrook told his lordship that the parties were ma.rried on January 20, 1902, at Hulnre. near Manchester. On August 22. 1903, the petitioner had to leave her husband owiug to his ill-treatment. This spring she discovered he had been living with a Mise Bimmer. Counsel read the following letter written to the girl by the respondent:— My darling Wife,—Still asleep, I suppoee, whale I am writing this. I am fed up, and Bo mistaike. I hope you haven't been nervous to-night, love. I've been thinking of you all night long. Must oloee now, dearest. SIhaJi be with you some time, during the evening. Don't know when.! Fondest love now and always—Your loving Ernest. How do you like the ad/dress 1 om. the envelope? The letter was addressed to "Mrs. Wood" at the house where the couple had lived together. Neatly dressed, the petitioner went into the box and stated that sinoe she had left the respondent she had rejoined the postal sennee as a sub-postmistress to maintain her- self and child. In 1903 her husband locked her out of the house and bad threatened to strangle her on two occasions. Then he took away the child, and she had had to take polioe-court proceedings to recover pos- sœsion. The President granted a decree nisi, with costs and the custody of the child.

IN THE HOTEL BATH-ROOM ERRING WIFE AND FOOTBALLER. 8^kinS P^ture of a wife's delinquencies was drawn by counsel in the Divorce Court ^the,petilion of George Shepherd a Yorkshire farmer for a divoroe from his wife was heard. Said oounBel. took place in 1900 at Denskxw. The woman, who said 1aer naJIUe was Henrietta Flora Jones McLeod, ^.er hnsband that she was the daughter oi aiaeutenant serving in the Army in South Aifrioa. \a' matter of fact, her name was Oole, and she was the daughter of a pitman. They lived with petitioner's father for eigh- teen months, when a baby was bom. Then the woTnam became quarrelsome, and on October 25, after some words, she walked out of the house with her child. She refused to say where she was going, and, leaving the child m charge of a neighbour, dMacpeafred. G-mng evidence, the husband said the next He heard of her was many months after- warts when he received a letter from Presto wach Asylum, where she was in service. In it she asked him to divoroe her, because she wished to marry a gentleman. Later she "wrote many letters, some very abusive. Mrs. mien Wilson, of the Woolpack Hotel, Heckmothdwike, was the only other witness called. She told how she had had to re- prove Mrs. Shepherd for her conduct with men. On December 26, at about nine o'clock in the evening, Mrs. Shepherd entered the hotel with some (football players, among whom was a man named Jack Forrest. She asked witness if Forrest might wash his hands, and assent was given. Later witness became suspicions, and sent a. servaaut to look for the pair. The servant went to the bathroom, and then fetched Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson then went to the bathroom herself, and found it fastened from the inside. She knocked at the door, and after some delay it was opened by Mrs. Shepherd. Behind her stood Forrest The woman, laughing, said there was nothing wrong, and witness ordered her downstairs. BIts. >vii«on also gave particulars of Mrs. Shepherd's intimacy with a man named MacAndrew. At the conclusion of her evidence, Mr. Jus- tice Baa-grave Deane remarked that it was unnecessary to call further evidence, and ns the suit was undefended, pronounced a decree nisi.

GOVERNESS'S LOVE-LETTER Mrs. Sarah Pearson, of The Hollies, Worth- ing, was granted a divorce from her husband Mr. Charles Edward Bennett Pearson. He not only treated his wife badly, said counsel, but he behaved disgracefully to- wards the servants. He caused several of the servants to misbehave themselves and then made love to a Miss Woo house, a gover- ness. When his wife told him she had discovered the following letter to him in the hand. writing of the governess it is alleged that he kicked her.— My very dearest boy,— It was good of you to write me such a nice loving letter. Dear oM boy, you don't know how I love you. I do so miss you. and fancy I hear you coughing in the morning. I only wish I could fed my arms round you and give you heaps of kisses. Your loving ANNIE.

WIFE'S CONDUCT WITH MEN HUSBAND TIRED OF FORGIVING. Mr. Arthur William Walker, a telegraphist, sought in tha Divoroo- Court to have his mairriaije dissolved by reason of the mis- conduct of his wife with the co-respondent, Mr. John Whittles, stated to be connected with a Leicester rag company. Mr and Mrs Walker were married in 1899 at Leicester, and after a time the husband had to complain. of his wife's conduct with men, but lie forgave h«r. Another •oaorfail was caused by her associating with a. "fast" married woman of the name of Slater, and he again forgave her, and changed his address, so that she should not associate with this woman. After a, time she made the acquaintance of co-respondent, and, against her husband's wish, she went to a pionic with him on August Bank Holiday of last year. Subsequently she left home, ostensibly on a visit to Louth, instead of which she went to Birmingham. From there she wrote to her husband complaining of being watched by detectives, adding, "Surely, you have not got the hump again." Upon her return home petitioner refused to have anything to do with her, as he had strong suspicions as to her conduct. It appeared that at Birmingham she passed as "Miss Ray," and was visited by corespondent. When co-respondent was I served with the divorce papers, he was told that there was no claim for damages made against him, and he then said that he would not defend the suit. A decree nisi, with costs, was granted.

AFTER LIFE IN BURIED CITY Lieutenant Dudley Sheridan Skelton, R.A.M.C., was the co-respondent cited in the Divorce Court by Mr. Laurence Charles Carey. a Ceylon tea-planter, who desired a divorce from his wife. Mr. Barnard, K.C. (with him Mr. Armstrong W nite), briefly opened the case, and said the parties were married at Chelsea in 1899. After a short time in England the parties em- barked for Ceylon, and there became acquainted with the co-respondent, who, as doctor, treated her. Towards the end of last year Mrs. Oarey returned to England, whither Skelton also came in the following Jannary, and joined the lady at a Tynemouth Hotel. Later the wife wrote: "Laurie. I have left you for ever; good-bye." Apparently, the husbamd's suspicions were aroused in 1905, for he wrote to the co-respondent, and in reply received the following reply:— Dear Carey,—Now that yon have broached the subject, may I for your benefit review my acquaintance with Mrs. Carey? I met her first as a doctor, and I have not yet descended to being "friends" with my patients. Finally, let me remind you that Ceylon is an idle place, and that tea. and rubber are secondary products com- pared with the amount of gossip that is manufactured. If it be due to this, Carey, I am sorry you should have had to write me on such a subject. I had imagined that living as I have done for nearly two years in one of the Buried Cities my reputation was fairly clean.—Yours sin- cerely, D. S. SKELTON. A decree nisi, with costs, was granted.

AN ELOPING HUSBAND'S LETTER. In October, 1900. Mr. Percival Ellis Bishton was a Wolverhampton auctioneer, when he married his wife. Now he is a gas inspector at Newcastle, and in the Divorce Court his wife, Mrs. Bertha. Bishton, sought a decree nisi. A year following the marriage ceremony Mr. Bishton went off" with a Mrs. Palmer, said Mr. Bayford. This was followed by a letter to the wife in which the husband said: My Own Darling Baby,—Will you meet me by where you used to live at 2.50, Fri- day, as I want to speak to you for the last time, if you wish it. I did go to Malvern with Mrs. Palmer and her sister, but, all the saine. Palmer was a liar when he said that I had ruined his wife, for I have not interfered with her in any way. She will tell you that, for I am still a gent, I hope. You know, Dolly, that I love you better than life, although I seem hard with you at times. If you want me back, ask the bearer to wire me to an address which he knows before ten o'clock, but do not ask him for my address. If you do not want me back, do not write at all. Shall wait twenty-four hours for letter or wire, and then shall either go away, or do away with myself. Have got a revolver with me, which I can let you have cheap. With love, your husband. ARTHUR. A reconciliation followed, but the husband's conduct did not improve. Once be dragged his wife across the room by the throat, expressing a desire to finish her. In July, 1903, he said he would drag his wife down as low as he could, added counsel. All the furniture in the house was subse- quently sold up, and mother and young babe had not even a bed to lie on. This caused her to go to her parents. The husband went away, too, and was recently discovered to be a gas inspector at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he had been seen in the company of a woman. His Lordship thought it was a case for a decree nisi.

STORY OF A HUSBAND'S CRUELTY. A pretty young Australian lady detailed her curious matrimonial experiences in the Divorce Court. She married a Mr. Henry Bryant at Sydney in 1906. He was on a visit to Australia, and took her home to England with him. They went to live at Eastbourne, and here Mr. Bryant's behaviour became most un- pleasant. One evening he was lying in bed ill. He asked his wife to come to his room. Kiss me," he said. She stooped down to do so, whereupon he seized her by the throat and tried to choke her. Then he jumped out of bed and smacked her face. On another occasion she came into his room and he ordered her out. She did not go quickly enough, so he took up the fender and threw it at her. She successfully dodged the missile, and then Mr. Bryant chased her maid down a passage, downstairs, and out of the front door. After this the husband consented to go into an inebriates' home, but he stopped there only two days. At the end of that period his wife received a wire to say that he was at the Hotel Cecil. His next exploit was ait Hampetead, where they had gone to live. He turned his wife out of doors in the middle of the night. With nothing but her nightdress on, although it was February, she was found on the doorstep by a local doctor. A few weeks after this Mr. Bryant took his wife for a motor-car ride. They had not gone far when he ordered her to get out of the car. Before the car could be stopped he threw her oat, and she fell in the roadway. She took a oab and went to a friend's house, where she found her husband. He flung her on to a chair and hit her with a walking-stiok. She left him, but there was talk of a. re- conciliation. Going to see him at his quarters in the Savoy-mansions one morn- ing, she found another lady, who would not aocount for her presence A decree nisi was granted.

MARINE'S UNFAITHFUL WIFE Clifford,—-I have given yon several hints and you have tak-en no notice. I have been living with a man, and now I am going right away with him, where no one knows me. You and I would never be happy together after what has been. The letter was written by his wife to Pri. vate Clifford Walter Mayball, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, in India, and, as a consequence, he brought a suit for divorce against his wife. Jiayball, a stalwart, bronzed man, wearing two medals, said he went to India in 1903, and while there he received the above letter. He returned to England in the spring of this year, and on his arrival received a note from his wife saying:— I am very happy and comfortable. I am now living with a man who is more than a husband to me and a father to my child. Mrs. Mayball, the stepmother of the peti- tioner, said she visited his wife at Chatham, where she was living as Mrs. Mumbrny. She denied at first, but eventually admitted that she was Mayball's wife. She signed a state- ment that: — I have lived as Mrs. Mtunbray for the last two years. The usual decree waa granted.

INJUNCTION GRANTED. CIRCUS-RIDER WHO BOASTED SHE WAS A PUBLICAN'S WIFE. In the Divorce Court Alfred C. Heath, licensed victualler of Fulham, asked for an injunction to prevent Fanny Caroline Lister, stated to have been a circus-rider, from boasting that she was his wife. Counsel stated that Heath made the acquaintance of Lister in 1901, when she was engaged in the Earl's Court Exhibition. They met in a public-house, and Heath afterwards visited her and made her an allowance, and paid her rent down to 1905, when they parted. In July, 1905, Lister was charged at Bow-street, and sent for Heath to bail her out. He and a Mr. Mallow did so, when she told the latter she was married to the peti- tioner. She repeated the statement on another occasion, and produced a certificate. Inquiries at Somerset House, however, showed that there was no entry of marriage between Alfred Charles Heath and Fanny Caroline Lister on March 1904. Petitioner's father was described in the certificate, and the signa- ture attached to the document was not peti- tioner's. Counsel read the letters written by respondent to petitioner, in the course of which she referred to their happiness, and sa.id he must surely now feel some y. Heath, giving evidence, denied he was j married to Lister. I No defence to the suit was entered, and Mr. Justice Bargrave Deane granted an in- junction to restrain the respondent boast- ing she was petitioner's wife, and decided there had been no marria»e.

HOTEL INCIDENT. DEALER FOUND IN A BAR- MAID'S BEDROOM. Thomas O'Gorman, 30, a Cardiff dealer, wae charged on remand at Barry on Mon- day with being found on enclosed premises with intent to commit a felony. Mr. Morgan H. Rees, solicitor, Cardiff, defended. The man was found in a wardrobe in the barmaids' bedroom of the Railway Hotel, Penarth, on the night of the 25th inst. Previous evidence having been repeated, Matthew Langley, a barman, said he could not say whether prisoner had any felonious intent. Mr. Morgan Bees said he was sure their worships would not consider that yisoner was on the premises for a felonious purpose. On the night of the 24th Miss Beatrice Manley, one of the barmaids, saw a man looking through her bedroom window, having come up by a ladder. Prisoner was in the hotel the next day and drank heavily. The bar- maid was chaffed by the customers about the incident of the previous night, and O'Gorman said jokingly to Miss Manley, "I'll come to-night to protect you," and she replied, "All right." O'Gorman said, "You'll flnd me in the wardrobe." Mr. Reee sub- mitted that it was only a stupid drunken freak. Prisoner said his mother had five shops at Cardiff, one at Pontypridd, and one had been opened four months at Penarth. It was through the drink he went upstaire and got into the wardrobe, and he was now very sorry for it. He would have gone home early only someone tore his cap up. A cabby also got his hard hat bashed in; another fellow's straw boater was destroyed, and he (prisoner) then tore his friend's cap up, with the result that they were all hatless. (Laugh, ter.) The Bench retired, and on returning Mr. Jose announced that they could not agree, and the case was ad-journed until Wednesday, when the Bench, finding him guilty of felonious iintenit, sent him to prison for a month's hard labour. On hearing the sen- tence, prisoner said "Thank you, gentle- men; I shall be home for Christmas."

"HE DESERVED TO DIE." GIRL KILLS HER BETRAYER. Another murder trial in which the un- written law" is invoked as sufficient defence for a. beautiful girl who slew the man who wronged her is proceeding at Somerville, New Jersey. "God justifies a woman when she kills the man who ruined her," was Florindia Ilario's calm plea when she was placed on trial for her life for the murder of Alexander Dipaolo on June 2. She is said to be the loveliest of all the lovely Italian girls in New Jersey, and her classic beauty held the crowded court spell- bound whem, in ainswer to her name, she rose before Judge Garrettson, the pallor of her complexion after five months in prison enhancing the effect of her raven black hair and liquid "black eyes. Calmly and composedly she made her declaration of justification. I shot him with a revolver which he gave me in the hope that I would kill myself. But I killed him instead. He deserved to die." Dipaolo, who was styled King of the Italian Colony of Somerville, was a pros- perous saloon-keeper who posed as a bachelor, though he had a wife living apart. It was the familiar story. The girl, under a promise of marriage, consented to oocom-1 pany him to Washington, and there, on various excuses, he postponed the ceremony. When they returned to Somerville she dis- covered the deception, but he took it for granted tlhat would continue their rela- tions, and placed her in a boarding-house. The girl was helplessly in his power and continued to receive him, though smarting under a sense of her injuries and frequently quarrelling with him. On the night of June 2 Dipaolo called to see he-, and there was an angry scene. The girl had frequently threatened to kill her- self. "Kill yourself, then. I am tired of yoa," said Dipaolo. "If you mean that, I will," said the girl; "but give me something to do it with." Dipaolo pull-ed out his loaded revolver and handed it to her. The girl took it a.nd shot him dead. Then, with the revolver still in he: hand, she walked to the police-station anA calmly toH her story. While in prison she has occupied herself in making embroidery and laoe with which to adorn the dress she is wearing at her trial.

A CURIOUS BBTT1NG STORY Henry William Butler, 60, described as an agent, of Cfhryesell-road, Brixton. appeared at Lambeth, London, to further answer the complaint that, having been entrusted with £ 300 to apply to a certain purpose, he converted it to his own use. The prosecutor, Mr. Ashton Cornwallis, living &t Pimlico, said he had attended race meetings with Butler, and gave him money with which to back Mintagon for the are- witch. The horse won, and the prosecutor became entitled to X.547 stake money and winnings. He met Butler in the Strand, and then asked him for the whole amount, upon which Butler said, "I have made a splendid bet this morning for you. I have taken JB600 to £100 Polymelus to win and X200 to 9100 for a place." He at first refused to have anything to do with the bet, but eventually agreed to accept it conditionally upon Butler telling him the name of the bookmaker. A few days later the prosecutor received the J3247, after writ- ing a letter insisting on a settlement. In pay- ing him the money the accused said, I will owe you Eioo." He again asked for the name of the bookmaker with whom the bet had been made, but Butler replied, The money is all right, with a good man. I hare a private reason for not telling you where it is." Polymelus won, and the prosecutor became entitled to 11,000. Later on Butler said the bet was on with Mr. Walter Lees, the cricketer, but that gentleman repudiated the transaction alto- gether. Mr. Butler, the defendant, said that he had not received JE300 in dispute from the book- makers. He told the prosecutor that if he could get a fair price on Polymelus he would take it—sixes and twos. Some of the money he put on with bookmakers from whom he had to receive money over Min- tagon, and some out of his own pocket. Mr. Hopkins: How much of the £200 he-ve you backed Polymelus with ? Butler replied that he had practically laid all of it, and had over £1,000 to oome from different men. He denied that he ewer said he made the bet with Mr. Walter Lees. He would rather not give the names of the book-' makers. The accused was remanded, being released on his own bail.

DIVORCE DECREES. JUDGE'S SEVERE COMMENTS ON THE SUPPRESSION OF FACTS. In the Divorce Oourt on Tuesday the King's Proctor asked for the decree nisi to be rescinded which had been granted to MT. Albert John Green, an actor, it being alleged that petitioner had himself committed mis- conduct before and after the petition. The King's Proctor's plea was not con- tested, and the decree nisi was rescinded. There were flve other similar cases in which decrees were rescinded. The President ISir Gorell Barnes) said he thought it was a, scandalous thing that persons living in misconduct should come to that court to ask for a divorce, and leave the King's Proctor to find out these facts. A man ought to be ashamed of himself to come forward and teii the court nothing at all about it. There were six of these cases in which petitioners had no right to a divorce. It was a serious matter, he thought. It resulted from inability on the part of the court or anybody else to put any questions to petitioners as to their conduct. It ouglht to be seriously considered whether by some process—either by prosecution or some aanendinent of the proceedings—an endeavour should not be made to put an end to this state of things. THE" IRREVOOABLE STEP." In the Divorce Court on Tuesday Mrs. Gertrude Aldridge Kelly, of Cheltenham, was granted a. decree nisi on the ground of the desertion and misconduct of her husband, Mr. Frederick Herbert Kelly, a barrister. Evidence was given that the parties were married in 1898, and that at the end of November the respondent left his wife. In January last, the petitioner received a letter from the respondent, in Which he said he had taken the irrevocable step that was to separate them for ever. The lady's name was Miss Ada. Cole, and they were leaving for America, where he had every prospect of making a position for himself and providing for hia two boya.

GIRL* SHOOTS HERSELF. A sensational incident has occurred at a. Social Democratic Federation meeting in Hull. A young typist, named Emily Batting, an active member of the Federation, was at the meeting in Cobden Hall, and after laughing and chatting with a fellow member she walked into the corridor. Immediately afterwards a report was heard, and Miss Batting was found lying in a pool of blood with a toy pistol by her side, and a eorions wound in her forehead. Up to a. late hour the bullet. had not been extracted, but Miss Batting is making fcarranr* able iflxtfrese,

GIRL'S BETRAYAL. REVELATIONS IN POLICE- COURT. At Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday (before Mr. Milner Jones, deputy-stipendiary) Beatrice Soott, a young woman of prepossess- ing appearance, and living at Cogain-terrace, eued Alfred J. Williams to show cause, Ac. Mr. Goodfellow appeared for complainant; Mr. Lewis Morgan defended. In his exposition of the facts, Mr. Good- fellow said Miss Soott was eighteen years of age, a-nd defendant, who formerly lived in Cardiff, now resided in London. The parents of Miss Scott kept a boarding-house, and defendant became a. boarder in July, 190Z. The two became familiar; the familiarity resulted in something more serious, and eventually, in November, 1904, intercourse took plaoe, amd continued, with more or less frequency, until October last, year, in the house of oamplainant's parents, and on June 19 last a female child was born. Complainant, in her evidence, which was upon the lines of Mr. Goodfellow's opening, said she formerly lived with her parents a-t 41, King's-road, which was a boarding-house, and defendant, who was a boarder, came with them to, Clare-street, where intimacy was continued. Witness referred specifically to what happened in the scullery and else- where, and her dates, or one of them, were most specific. By Mr. Lewis Morgan: I am keeping com- pany with a Mr. Gilbert, who knows my con- dition. You are going to be married to him?—Yea. When?—The date is not yet decided. It depends on the verdict to-day?-Not at aJI. You are keeping company with him now?— Yes. How long have you been keeping company with him?—Since February this year. Before that ?—No, onlv correspondence. She had corresponded with Gilbert from last December. He was a seafaring man. Mrs. Ethel Kea/ne was then catted, and, answering Mr. Qoodfellow, said she was liv- ing with her husbamd, who was a clerk at Dublin. Mr. Goodfellow: Do you remember the date you lived with Miss Scott? Witness: Yes, it was some time in Septem- ber. It-. Williams wa.; lodging there. One night she saw the kitchen door ajar and Mr Williams and Misa Scott vere there. Mr. Williams was facing the fireplace, and Miss Scott the window. She saw Miss Scott's skirt fall down. She was so confused that she walked straight through to the back kitchen without saying anything to them. Catherine Morgan, now living in Penarth- road, who was in the service of Mrs. Scott, in Clare-street, gave further evidence as to the scene in the scullery. Dr. Donovan spoke to Miss Scott and her mother coming to his surgery on November 21, 1905. He then had suspicions, which were confirmed on examination at the beginming of the next month. Mr. Lewis Morgan, for the defence, sub- mitted that the evidence was "unsatisfactory and inconclusive. The defendant in evidence said he lodged with these people about three years. He was never on such terms with the servant as to whisper, as alleged, words of love ™to complainant's ear. He positively domed all the allegations, and said he had never even walked out" wifth complaimant. Mr. Goodfellow: Can you give amy reason why the girl Morgan ehould come here and tell a garbled story and that which is un- true?- W eN; eh was very friendly with the girl Scott, both before and since. You have never been on fa.miliar terms with Scott?—I ga>y distinctly that I ail ways treated her distantly. Do you deny following her into the scullery?—I deny it. In answer to further questions witness said he left Cardiff early in September, and he now earned £100 a year as an assistant secretary. His Worship dismissed the case, saying that the corroborative evidence was not quite sufficient.

POISONING MYSTERY. CORPSEJ AS RAILWAY PAHCEL. Fran Repol, the widow of a Cologne lock- smith whose dead body was recently found sewn in a, bag, has been arrested by tha Berlin police, who believe that they are on the eve of unravelling- o, sensational crime. The w-lan caused suspicion to be directed against her by telegraphing to a Cologne forwarding agent to send the bag to Berlin, i instead of to Frankfort, where she first in- struoted it should be despatched. 1 Meantime (says the Daily Mail") the- bundle fell into the bands of the police. A post-mortem examination. although it revealed that death was caused by poison. i did not lead the authorities to think theal the locksmith bad been murdered. But the sewing of the corpse in a pag, wrapped for shipment like an ordinary package, points to unusual circumstances. The police are also looking for the dead man's sweetheart, a young working woman who has been missing since his death, and who is now reported to be staying in Nurem- berg.

BOY CLERK & GIRL. AFTER CHAPEL AFFAIR AT ABER. David Jamas Hughes, a clerk, aged seven- teen, of Abertridwr, was at Caerphilly on Tuesday charged with assaulting Ellen Whitehead, a rlrl of fourteen, living with her stepfather, David Williams, at Senghenydd. Mr. Goodfellov represented defendant, who is well connected. Complainant stated that on Saturday the 20th inst. she met defendiant near the Universal Hotel about nine p.m. The lad snatched her scarf from her neck, and she went home without it. Half an hour later she again came out and passed the Universal to the square, where she met Hughes and another boy. Defendant asked her to meet him by the English Baptist Chapel the fol- lowing night (Sunday), and complainant pro- mised she would. The scarf was returned to her through Charlotte Thomas, a companion. As arranged, she and Charlotte Thomas met defendant after they had been to the evening service of the English Baptist Chapel. Hughes and complainant wa-lked to a field, and misconduct was alleged to have occurred. I She returned home close on ten, and told her mother she had been to her sister's house, and she received a beating. Cross-examined: She had arranged to go out with' defendant the following Sunday, and had told Hughes that another boy had torn her underclothing. Charlotte Thomas and Mrs. Rosina Wil- liams (mother of complainant) also gave evidence. The latter said she gave her daughter "a good strapping" for coming in late. She discovered something wrong three days after, and taxed her daughter. Dr. Philip James, Senghenydd stated that the full offence had ta&en place, but he could not date the occurrence, though he believed it was not recent, and might have happened more than onoe. Mr. Goodfellow said no jury would convict, as the girl was over sixteen. What both deserved was a good thrashing. Defendant reserved his defence, and was committed to the assizes, bail being allowed in L10, and one surety of a like amount, which was immediately forthcoming.

A BARMAN'S DESPAIR. SUICIDE ON THE EVE OF M AURI AGE, A strange story of the fatal despair of a barman, named Frederick Cha.rles Green, aged Z7, of Blackpool, was told at an inquett at Crewe. Green had been engaged to be married to a young woman in Blackpool, and on Satur- day he arrived at his sister's house in Crewe. and. after writing letters he left stating that he was going out to post them. He also expressed his intention of returning to Blackpool. His body was subsequently discovered on the railway line, a train having passed over his neck, completely severing his head. A letter addressed to his sister and found upon the body read:- Dearest Nellie,—Sorry to have to write these lines, but I think it best because I cannot be of any use to anybody. After the way I have carried on, it's no use trying to be good. I have tried to reform, but have gone too fax. I have, however, enjoyed myself in my little time. Write and tell Annie (his sweetheart) not to worry, as she is better off without me. She has stood well over me, and must not fret, as I don't deserve it. Tell her everything, and ask her to cheer up. A verdict of Suicide" was returned.

COLLAPSE OF A FLOOR. PANIC AT AN AUCTION SALE. An accident, in which twenty-four persons were seriortsly injured, occurred at Strabane, Oaunty Tyrone. The rdmiture of Misa Smith, of Ram-V House, was being sold by auction, and when the contents of the lower rooms had been disposed of a move was made to the drawing- room, into which crushed between fifty and sixty persons, mostly ladies from neighbour- ing country houses. Ten minutes later the Soar collapsed, arad the occupants were precipitated into the boudoir below. Several people were pinned under heaary pieces of furniture; others came in violent contact with the jagged edge of the broken floor, and, to make the oonfusion worse, a dense cloud of dust filled the air. Those able to move scrambled with, diffl- ItT-over the piled-up rains to the windows, wfc-fch were broken, open. aond -the injured were passed out. The dooar wras blocked by the fatten floor. Not one of those who fell escaped imdurr of some sort. Patrick M'Getting=, of Tullya.rd, had both his legs broken; Mrs. Fyfe, of Castletown, received severe internal injuries, and neither is expected* to recover. Others seriously injured are Mr. Weir Junior, the auctioneer, arid James M'Gowan, of Woodend.

THE CHILDREN'S BALL AT THE CITY-HALL. ( THE LADY MAYORESS IN WELSH COSTUME. [Photo J. Osborne Long, Cardiff.

IBON OF THE MASTER OP ALLKNHBANK I KUOOL MM., BOSALIB PEABSON AS THE I ,W,Bg,lg=N. V A.Tt,.

"MAN WITH THE SPOTTED HORSE." Miss Alice Maude French, who lives with her mother and stepfather at Greenwich, before Mr. Justice Grantham and a special jury, sued Mr. Arthur James Farrants, who is a Fulhaim publican, for damages for breach of promise of marriage. Perhaps the jury had seen Mr. Farrants, suggested Mr. Rawlinson, K.C., oounsel for the plaintiff, driving about in his t-rap with, i a spotted horse. Among the public-houses that he had held were the Stpotted Horse (hence the other spotted horse), the Swan, and the Gardeners' Arms. Miss French, then a girl of seventeen, was in 1898 engaged ts barmaid at a hotel in Fnlha-m. She left her place with the highest references, and went into Mr. Farrants' ser- ,-Ice. He made love to her, and they became engaged. But in 1904 there was a quarrel, in consequence of which the engagement j temporarily came to an end. Miss French went to her home at Green- wich, and hither Mr. Parramts, driving the spotted horse, came to make it up. ENGAGEMENT RENEWED. The young woman forgave him, and the engagement was renewed. The defendant's love-letters (said Mr. Raw- linson) were very religious-ill. fa-it, too reli- gious. Ho wrote:- My dearest Mande,-Thanks for your letter of love. I am more than pleased to think I have made you happy, a.nd that you intend to love me only. It will be oar duty in God's sight to live for one another. I will devote the whole of my life to making you happy, dearest. I should have asked you to share my life years ago if it had not been for oircmnfrbamoes. I think the clouds will roll by. We will show the worli that there aire two happy people m it. I do hope I shall be successful in selling out. I implore you not to make me jealous. Good-eight, Mawde, and God btees yon. YOUR BEAUTIFUL LETTER." Miss French wrote in retmam:- My dear Old IoTez,-Thanks for your beapitiful letter. You have every particle of my affection. Are you uncertain of my love? I pray every night that you may be successful in selling the houses. God bless you, dear boy.—Your true and affectionate sweetheart, Maude. In another letter Miss French said: Now, mind, not too many brandies and sodas and gin and bitters between one and three o'clock. Think of me instead of the brandies and sodas. The publican replied:— My Dearest Sweetheawt Ma-ude,—Your bea-utifnl letter had the desired effect. You know the old saying, all is fair in love and war. I must have you ail for my very own. You don't know how I love and reverence you. I have been ten years in love with you already. I simply adore you, and long for the time to come to make you my dear wife. I do hope I shall be fortunate enough to sell the houses. I love you dearly, Maude. I think, dear, much as I should like to, I cannot see you on Sun- day. I wish to be here from one till three. I have had very little to drink, and I hope you have given it up also. After all this affection, said counsel, Mr. Farrants broke the' enga-gement off, amd drove another young lady in the trap with the spotted horse. When an action was started, Mr. Farrante made a, preposterous counterclaim, said counsel. He asked for the return or 7alue of a half-hoop diamond rang which he had given his fiancee. QUARRELS DUE TO DRINK. Mr. Rawlinson explained that the many quomrels between, the lovaTB were due to drinik. Mr. Farrante quite wrongly accused his sweetheart of intemperance. He once wrote to her: Am sending you half a dozen champagne and a bottle of brandy for your mother, not you. You can have a pint of fte in the morn- ing; that will do you good. Fondest love from your old pal. I am as sober as a judge and as fit as a fiddleT-a. non-smoker and a non-drinker. Miss French was heautifcully arrayed in ermine furs when she entered the witness- box to -give evidence. Mr. Shearman, X.C., reminded her of a supper party, but she indignantly denied that she was unable to bold a knife and fork. Mr. Shearman read an extract from one of Mr. Farrants' letters:- As you hare not answered my last three letters, I sum returning you the-liock of nair you gave. It is the most untaoky thing you cal-I give while living. It has done its work. Miss French used to sleep witQi Mr. Itar- rants' mother. She denied that she bad taften a dog named Vera to bed with the old lady. The deg jumped on to the bed. A letter was -luoted, in which Miss French said, "A glaes of stout and two glasses of port a day irf not too mudh. You made me have a brandy and soda one night. Perhaps you are working on that. It is very mean of you if it is BO." The hearing was adjourned.

"YOU ARE MY KING." Do people who let out dtonteys for hire use bad lanc=ge? And are they more liable to use bad lamguage tham people who do not let out donkeys for hire? These curious points were raised in Mr. Justice Grantham's court OlD Wednesday, when the "Spotted Horse" toreweb of promise case was resumed. Mrs. Fox, the mother of Miss Alioe Ma.ude French, the plaintiff, had been giving evi- denoo to the effect that her diaiaghter had been, sadly dlecerved by Mr. Arthur Jaanes Farrramts, the Putoey publican, who bad a "Spotted Horse" puiMic-bofee. and a reaJ spotted horse which he drove in a trap. Cross-examining, counsel suggested that Mrs. Fox had a/ggrarvated the publican by using to him words unsuitable to well- managed host/dries. Are you a jobmaster?" asked counsel of the witness. No, my husband is the jobmaster," Mrs. Fox replied with dignity. I assist him. I have been in the business for 30 years." Do you keep donkeys ?—No, not now. I used to own MILKING DONKEYS and milking goals. Did you keep donkeys to let out for donkey rides?-Ye% on Bladkheath. How much a rideP-I don't remember. Mr. Justice Grantham (interrupting): Has this got very much to do with the issue to be tried? Counsel: It comes to with regard to the use of language. Another Counsel: The suggestion is that those in the donkey-ride trade use bad laax- guage.. In re-examination Mr. Rawlinson, K.C., had to deal with a very delicate matter—the young lady's trousseau. A claim for £ 135 in respect to this had been originally put in. I bought six of everything," said Mrs. Fox, all made of Irieh linen." Mr. Rtawl-nrsow. K.C.. M.P. for Cambridge University (blushing): I can produce the articles if the court likies. (Laughter.) Mr. Shearman, K.C.: I am going to say this claim is not an honest claim. A former employe at the Spotted Horse described how a. few racing friends of Mr. Farrants were entertained after closing time. Miss French played and sang to them, and the witness waited on them. Said the witness epigrommatically: "The best part of them were the worse for drink. I had to eject one of them." PUBLICAN'S DEFENCE. Mr. Shearman, K.C., in opening his case for the defendant, said that he was going t- -,P-ti a. large number of witnesses who would say that the plaintiff was habitually too partial to port wine and such things. Mr. Shearman submitted that Mr. Far- rants was entitled to break his promise because of the port wine. The first witness for the defence was a doctor who had attended Miss French at the Spotted Horse. He had found her dazed. The defendant, a fresh-complexioned, youngish man, then went into the witness- box. Tied houses, he said, had come down in value lately. He had given L2,500 for the Spotted Horse. Why did Miss French leave you in 1904?" asked Mr. Shearman. I told her to go because of her habits. I had to tell the staff not to serve her with drink. IL the Christmas week, when I was very busy, she came and stood against the door, and would not let me do my work. I bad to takp her by the arm to force her away. She is very strong, you know." (Laughter.) BARMA 'S ".IM"G." The publican described how he bought the .£55 engagement ring. It was more than he oould afford, but he wished her to have a good ring. He said outside the jeweller's shop, Now, Ma.ude, if anything goes wrong through your intemperance I must have that ring back." One afternoon Mt. Farrants was dozing upon the sofa.. Miss French was playing the piamo to soothe him. She thought he had gone to sleep, so slipped downstairs. Ho went to the door and saw her talking a glass of port wine. Mr. Shearrman read a letter illustrating the depth of Miss French's love:— My da.rling.-I am so proud of you. I love you with a beautiful, sacred love. I -sum proud to look up to you and call you my king. Never mind the troubles. I know they worry you. We were sent into the world for one tMMtiMr. nod God did not mean tw to jala* havoc with our lives. I believe everybody has a mate made for Mlem, but they don't always get the right one. You might meet me at Olapfaa/m and. drive me to the "Start" (Spotted Horse) It is over a week since ywu had me in your arms—a, long timw without embrace. Mr. Rawlinson asked about the engage* ment ring. "I gave JEZ5 and another ring £Sf for it," eaid Mr. Farrants. Counsel: What was the other ring?—It waS a half-hoop diamond. It was a previous engagement ring. (Laughter.) Was that ring given on th/5 same terms? —The other young lady did not dxfcas. The Judge: But the engagement nofc end in marriage. (Laughter.) v Mr. Farrants: We had a dispate, and alter three weeks we parted. Counsel: Will you use this ring again if you get it back?—I will have the stones taken out a.nd a brooch made. I am not the only man who has been engaged twice. The hearing was adjourned until Friday.

DISTRESSING TRAGEDY NEAR ST. FAGAN'S. Another tragic death has occurred on the Great Western Railway just below Cardiff, attributable to the practice of the folk of the neighbourhood of taking a short cut across the line. This latest tragedy occurred on Monday night between Peterstan and St* Pagan's. Joe Waring, the driver of the Irish express from Fishguard which is due in Cardiff at 7.4, reported on arriving at St. Fagan's that when near the St. George's Crossing his engine had struck against same- thing on the line. The local officials at once went to the scene, and found the body of It man in the four-foot way. It was badly, mutilated, and almost beyond recognitions. The man proved to be Charles Cuss, labourer, of Coeddraw, Peterston. He was 24 years of age, and leaves a widow. He had been to St. George's, and in making a. short cut home passed over the railway, with the result that he met his death. Fragments of his body were picked up here and there for a distance of three-quarters of a mile. His watch was knocked all to pieces. His clothes were in rags, and the copper coins in his pocket were indented on the edges by the force with which he was hurled to the metals. The poor fellow's head was cut clean off and found ÍJI a field near the line.

THE INQUEST. Mr. Llewellyn B. Reece, deiputy-ocxraner, on Thursday held an. inquest a.t the Greendoiwn Gate Inm., St. George's, touching the tragic deaith of Charles Cuss. Inspector Mills. Cardiff, and Mr. Sargeant, stationmaster, St. Fagan's, were present, representing the railway company, and Inspector Nott, Llandaff, was present on behalf of the polioe. John Hares, Peterston, with whom the deceased lodged, identified the remains. This could only be done by the clothing, which was cnt into ribbons and distributed all over the line. Mr. Stanford, landlord of the Greendown Gate Inn, who was the last to see the deceased alive, stated that he left the inn about 6.50 on the night of the fatal accident to go home, and was then quite sober. Joseph John Waring, driver of the Irish express from Fishguard to Paddington. stated that he felt something in the machi- nery of the engine after he passed St. George's crossing. He pulled up at the river bridge, about three-quarters of a mile taway. and then found bits of flesh on the front part of the engine. He then knew that he had knocked down a man, but he had seen no one on the line. Witness added that he went on with his train, to St. Fagan 'e signal- box, and reported the matter there. Police-constable Hamilton, Peterston, staged that on receiving information of the acci- dent he went and examined the scene about nine p.m. Searching along the line, he found: the deceased's body practically distributed for a distance of three-quarters of a, mile- He picked the fragments mp, put them on a stretcher, and had! them conveyed to the packer's cabin. The jury retorned a. verdict of Acci- dentally killed by being run down" by afl express train."

THREE CARDIFF BABIES. SIGNIFICANT REMARKS BY TBB CORONER. It ——— } The Cardiff coxoraeor (Mir. E. B. ,&0eoe) &)eS* inquesJts this week on the bodies of tflicw 1 imfantts, whose deaths occurred soddenly. J Eliaobeth Miahoney, the month'—OH daughter of street, wae alive between 12J0 and 2L30 ØII8 Monday morning, but at 7.!IJ -the found the little one dead in bed. Dr. Hoop said the body was fairly, well nourished, and he thought death was due to suffocation through the bedclothes covering the- faoe, the child being weeklyv The verdict was "Accidental death from suffocation." The Coroner touched upon the proposal now on foot to bring in an Act to make it illegal for a mother to have her baby in bed with her at night. They waited parents to use cote. He was afraid if such an Act was passed they would have to bring in verdicts of manslaughter against the parents. The seaond inquiry was into the death of Thomas Henry Hegarty, the seventeen- months-old child of Rose Amelia Hegarty. The mother said that the child slept with herself aind her hnsbeund. She last sa.w it alive on Sunday morning between aae and two o'clock. The Coroner: I think you have been cau- tioned about the condition, of this child. The Mother: I ifrHfrnk so, sir. Dr. Williams (medical officer for Roath dis- trict) said the child was ill for three weeks on one occasion, and yet medical assistance was never sought. Witness: I hadn't a shri&mg to take the child to a dodtor. Dr. WitMams: She brought the child on more than, one occasion. The Coroner: If parents when their chil- dren are ill don't take them to a doctor they, incur a very grave risk. The Mother (sobbing): I put it all down to the child's teeth. Dr. Williams amid he saw the deceased child some months ago, when the mother brought it in to his surgery. The child was suffering from diarrhoea, and was much emaciated and dirty. He spoke to the mother about its con- dition. He lost sight of the child afterwards until the 25th of this month, when the mother brought it in again. It was still suffering from diarrhoea. There were sores on the child's face and body, caeosed by want of proper drying. He did not see it again until Momdiay. He then. examined the body, which was very much emaciated, with various sores- One sore, of considerable size, had been » blaster, probably caused by a. scald. The chiM died from exhaustion. The Coroner said that this was a serio caee, as it was alleged there had been not only neglect, but insufficiency of medical attention. The parish doctor, who waIJ always kind in the aid he gave, was not called. Dr. Williams: They knew where to come. had been there before. Giving the results of a post-mortem exami- nation, Dr. Williams said the weight otf the child waa 12JIb., whereas it should have been 201b. for a child of seventeen months* To show that the child had been badly, looked after, witnees spoke to certain sores, some of which were probably due to acidity aifter sickness. Opening tihe body, he wf3 struck by the entire absence of fat. 5 organs were perfectly healthy, except tha the wails of the smaller intestines were very thin. He found no trace of food anywhere, the stomach being distended with gas. The cause of death, was csfhaustion, the result, as he believed, of the child not having been properly and regularly fed. The child not well developed, but the emaciation w too marked following upon a. short illness. The Coroner: Can you say positively kh^ the child died from the neglect of the par en to provide proper food? Dr. Williams: I cannot say that; but think it contributed to the death. Had 1t. been properly looked after it would nevar have got into such a condition. If the child had been properly looked after would its life have been saved ?-I can no* say positively. By a juror. Teething is a frequent CftiuS6 of diarrhoea and sickness in children. The doctor said that the exhaustion, whic" was the cause o& death, was from lac* — nutrition.. Other evidence was given showing that t, parents took a drop occasionally, but n as a rule, to excess. The parents, it was eaid, used to run short of food, and a ne»« bour, called as a witness, said she had. p •vidod sustenance for the child. from The jury returned a verdict of death e-xhaustion and diarrhoea, and they eev oansurei the parents for negligence. Addressing the parents, the Corone that the jrn-y had taken a lenient ana ful view of the case. The parents n a very narrow escape, and if the sa™ woUid happened to the child now Jiving tney certainly be «ent for trial, and a manslaughter would probably be r "Death The jury returned a verdict oiion9" from natural causes—probably co gyea in the case of Violet Emily Cox, weeks old child of Frederick Cox, O » poration-road.

Be cheerful. Doa't torea* flown do lor Ids wl»*i Gwllym Evans' Qnlnine BH'^f-oosnws*. u>4 vou. Th« Beet Remedy for u and Indigent km. 8od4 everywU«r« la «*««» »• wim mTH- «Mh.