Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-08-24
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General Miscellany.
MRS. BELcHER AND HER JOURNEY
MAN

MAN.
"A very odd case occurred at the Man.
sion-house in the course ofthe day. Mr..
Thwaites, one of the relieving officers Of
the City of London Union, charged
locksmith of the name Of Belcher, with
having deserted his wife, by which she
became charger Bile to the parishes in the
Union. The defendant was we'll known
to De first rate workman, and could eas-
i,y earn 36s. per week
Mrs. Belcher upon being called to SUBJ
stantiate the statement, curtsied to the
Lord Mayor, and then turning TO her hus-
band, who stood with his hand to his ear
at the bar, (for he was deaf,) said, All,
you're bad un, Thomas, and you know
you are, you willin
The defendant What does that ere wo-
man say, your Lordship? can't hear
her here, though she makes me hear her
everywhere else.
The Lord Mayor: She says you re.
fuse TO support her, and that you are we'll
able to do so.
Mrs. Belcher: Able ! believe you.
Look at this here, exhibiting lock OF
curious workmanship j he's able to make
ever SO many, if be wasn't a lazy wsga.
bond.
The defendsnt: My Lord it is quite
impossible to live with her, but faint it
lucky for Der y am so deaf.
Mrs. Belcher: Please you my Lord,
jis. hear me. set up this here good-for
nothing scnramouch in his trade. bought
him tools and forge, and everything
comfortable. aud watched over MIN like
mother. Well, all could do couldn't
get him to be industrious. As soon as
he'd finished lock, he'd want the money
to 60 rampaging about, though used to
allow hin so much to spend.
The Lord Mayor; Oh, then, he was
your Journeyman
Mrs. Belcher: Certainly he was and
avery good place he had too. He ate at
the same table, and he slept in the same
bed with myself; but he shan't do so no
more. [Laughter.] No; if ever have
him home again, Pm blest if he don't sleep
by himself in flock bed in the garrett.
The defendant | won't go home with
you TO more, III be on my oath. Id ra.
Their give her pound week never to
let me see her face any more. But then
she has mint Of money.
Mrs. Belcher Money! Where could
poor helpless woman like get money
Bless you my Lord, | nin't got no money.
The Lord Mayor: rather think you
have, Mrs. Belcher.
e. A master locksmith here stepped for
ward, and said that the defendant occa.
sionallS~ worked for him, and that the
mans wife was, doubtless, possessed OF
property; for it was but a short time ago
that she asked him to count stocking
full of sovereigns, which she produced.
Mrs. Belcher: laid that out in my
business, expecting that he would attend
TO it; but, though was always at him
from morning ill night, never could get
him to do his duty.
Several persons in the Justice room de.
clared that the lady had abundance of
property; and
The Lord Mayor said he did know how
he could, under the circumstances, oblge
the defendant TO support her. His lord
ship though. the best thing that could be
done was to bring the couple together a.
gain. There are no children, supposed
observed his lordship. "Oh, dear not
at all, cried Mrs. Belcher, looking con-
temptuously at her husband.
No, my lord, SAID the defendant Mrs.
Belcher's good deal older than be-
She Amt likely to be a mother to any
body's child. Great laughter.
Mrs. Belcher: Now my lord, I'll tell
you all about it. He
The Lord Mayor: No, no; won't lis
ten to that part of the complaint. Will
you take him home again, Mrs. Belcher
Mrs. Belcher: Why, don't care if
do, if he promises faithfully 10 work, but
then he must sleep in the garrett. won'i
hear no more of this sort of nonsense. -
tie knows as well as me there's no use in
it. Laughter
The Lord Mayor What do you say
Mr. Belcher' Will you 60 home and
sleep in the garrett
her face again my lord. She makes me
SICK, please your lordship. Laughter
Inc Lord Mayor Then can. Sc
cure you from annoyance. She is your
wife, and will follow you everywhere.
Mr.. Belcher: That will Thomas
Ifyou were to 90 to 'Merekey, I'd be a,
your tail.
The defendant; Well, my lord, III try
her once more.
The Lord Mayor: ! think you are
right. Now Mrs. Belcher, you will
promise me that you will be merciful tc
your husband7
Mrs. Belcher: Surely my lord, if he
sticks to his work. Laughter.l All
want him TO do is to make these locks
know where to sell 'em fast enough.
The couple then left the justice. room,
lne lady leading the way, and nodding 10
the poor locksnnith IN E,liou ha,. Y,hjc