The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1880-05-04 00:00:00

Child Desertion.

The prisoner was brought up on remand this iliCona4ll
morning, before the Mayor, Dr. Drew, J. Z. Robins, Zsq,
T. Abbott, Esq., J. Lunde, Esq., B. Hopkins, Req., and
D. Collett. Esq.
Mr. Davies, of Sherborne, watched the case on behalf
of Mr. Peck.
Mr. Hann., for the prosecution, briody eddreseed the
Court While asking the Bench to deal out justice to the
prisoner, he trusted they would at the same time temper
that justice with mercy.
Annie Ames, the young person who took care of the
child on the night of the desertion, said she nursed it the
wkole of the following day, and in the evening she took it
to the work-howse. she got to the union she handed
It to the master and the nurse.
Croes-examined by Mr. Howard: The child had plenty
of clothes, and it was sot injured by exposure in any way.
It appeared to have been fed and nourished welL
John Lee, relieving racier of the union, said on the 90th
of last month he granted an order for the union for the
child, and it was still in the union and chargeable to the
uni in.
Philip William Richardson Peck, residing at Temple-
combs House, Somerset, sold: I know the prisoner and she
has been in my service as German governeee Buenos:wed
my service the letter pert of September, 1378, and left in
November. 1879. She raceivedl a letter from Germany in
which it wassaid her mother was W. She left in consequence
of that. I did not ace the letter. She was paid her wages
by Kra. Peck. I produce the receipt for Ed th. 7d. Kra.
Pock was in tbe habit of paying her wages. I have
never paid her any money in my life. When she left my
service she went toll-mover. Kra, Peck received letters
continually from her at Hanover. I have never
received any letters from her in London. The
last letter iris received April 13rd of this year.
I never received • letter from her in my We aldreee I
personally to me. (Witness recalled this and said he
heard from her when she was in his weir* and while
he was ay from home.) Sinai she left my service,
51,,vember, 1879, I have not heard personally from hr.
No other reason wag assigned for her leaving but
that her mother was ill. The letter I put in
will explain. (The letters were not read.) She left
my service suddenly and she loft with the idea she
was coning back again. I had no conversation with
her on her leaving of a particular nature. I knew she was
In London on the 23rd of April. I am informed she has
given birth toe child. I drat heard of it on the morning
after it was placed on the doorstep. As far as I know the
left with only £5 61 74_ in her picket. I believe she loft '
on the day of the receipt, the 25ih.
Cross-examined by Mr. Howard: Before she came to me
, she ess staying sea guest in • neighbouring family. and
I received her only on the word of the lady. I should think
she was there about a month. I don't think that lody
would have as improper person a. a guest She came to
me with a good character. She was in my service about
i
11 mouths, and during the whole of that time she had •
good character, and left with the idea of coming heck after
I the recovery of her mother. I had no talk with her about
writing to me whilst she was away. At the time she left
I did not give her WU Blaney beside the amount of
her salary. She wee always apparently well supplied
with money. I gave no pelmet to her of any
kind. During the summer of ISM I visited Wey-
mouth, and the occupant of 3, Beigrave.terrsos is my
j mother. This was known to the prisoner. My mother
' has stayed in my house while the prisoner was in my
' service. My wife and part of my (may were the here.
' When she came to my service I did not know it wee •
matter or necessity for her to turn her living as a
g mernees. She was always very reticent In matters
relating to her family. During the summer my wife and
two daughters came down here on • visit to my mother,
and the three younger children, the nurse, and thereat of
the household stayed at home. During that time I was
not at home, The governess had during that time gone
away for her holidays. That was from Um middle of
June till the middle of September. I am not sure as to
the data. She wait before my wife left.
The Mayor hers interrupted Yr. Howard and said he
thought he was Inertias noon anoher case.
Mr. Howard said • admitted the "soft Impeachment"
and he would not go further at present.
In answer to Mr. Henn': I have destroyed oil the
letters I have received from the prisoner not within the
last fortnight. I could give the contents, if asked.
Mr. Howard having addressed the Court for the
defence;

-ii:;aror said (the Bench haring Wog, &liberated) :
—Roma itsach, we bare cows to the conclusion. lind it
is the only conclusion as can cow to, that yos bars
brought younolf within th• bads a tbs law.