The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-08-01 00:00:00

DISHONEST YOUNG SERVANT GIRL.

Mary Bellinger. a servant, whose age was given as two
months short of 14 years, was brought up_ on Monday.
before the Meyor (R. N. Howard. 13- q.l, B. Hopkins, Su,
Dr. Drew, and 1. K Ruben., Req., cursed with stealing
nine book., one roll or binding, one wrap, sit seethe, one
lace collar, three headkerchiela two pa,rs of gloves, one
piece of lace, too night drums, two lamp mats. • silver
card cue, and various other articia, tee props' ty of her
waiter and mistress, Mr. and Mrs. Ryall.
Mrs. Ryall, wife of Mr. John Hoskins Hyatt, of Clarence-
buildings, wad the gill bad been a ger rant with her not
quite • month this but time, but the bad been with her
before, and left. Had no suspicion of her until Saturday
morning, when the clothes Game home from the laundry,
when prisocar, although her obtuse had told her to stray
elsewhere, wanted to come le. The young lady who looks
after the washing said a hatiolkendaief was among Mary's
things, which did not belong to her. In .a.thsrs part
of her room, and open, wee sae of palsoner's boxes, and
ohs found terse of the children's books, some clothes, and •
silver card case at the bottom of the box. She west down-
stairs and asked (Lary if she had seen a silver card case
about, and this she denied. A silk Paisley wrap, a night-
dress, and two other under garments Were found When the
Prisoner's boxes were Douched by the policeman. No
member of the family had suspected her before; but
when the policemen came. Mrs. Ryall insisted on the
box being beonaht down and exenaind in her presence.
By that time the prisoner had taken the silver card ease
and pat It in her pocket, and, although she "stood out
to the nolloe.nan that she had not got it, it was, alter •
greet aeai of trouble, taken from her pocket. All the
articles pro laced were taken from prisoner's box, except •
handkerchief, which came from the laundry among
prisoner's clothes. The silver card cue was worth •
guinea, end all the things together were worth 30..
P.O. Sullen wee seat for on Saturday evening, and
examined prisoner's box, in whica the Wap produced
were found, and various other things at her mother's
hoses.
Mrs. Ityall had no wish to prosecute.
The Mayor: No respectable perms has a wish to
prosecute; but they hare a public duty to perform.
Prisoner chose to have the case tried before the roadie.
tretes, end pleaded guilty, saying she WY very sorry.
By Mr. Ardis: People are always very sorry whoa they
are found out.
It appeared the girl would be "11 the drat of Septem-
ber; her mother reckoning her age by Woodbury Hill
fair, her husband being Isaac Bellinger, labourer, of
Woodsford, near Dorchuhsr, and working for Mr. Duke,
his wages being 10. • week, with house rent, fuel, fn.,
and often piece work. She had 10 children, but only Ave
at home, • boy earning 3. • week.
The Mayor told the mother it was • very serious thing
for her; she bad d the things stolen.
The Mother: I never wigged her to do it.
The Mayor: But you hay, acknowledged the receipt of
the things which were itool2.
The Mother: The other girl, have had real good thatils
given them, when they ware left off.
The Mayor said the cue bad caused them a great
amount of thought. They felt that if they committed her
to prison, it might be the meana of her going further
down: but they wou!d remand her for a weak, in order to
make further enquiries. It was very waious indeed for
the mother; 6.4 if she cou!d state any place where she
could be placed, the magistrates would consider what
could be done.