The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1877-06-09
A wOsIAN's MISTAKE.
From tho New York Sun. |


On Thursday afternoon tall woman in black
silk, with morocco belt round her waist and q
faded cashmere shawl thrown over her shoulder,
entered the Jefferson Market Police Court and
asked Justice Wandell for warrant against her
husband, who, she said, had Abandoned her.
Her story was, tn brief, that she had married
John Almesley in Charlestown in 1865. and they
had lived together till about two years ago.
Then he left her. and she had not seen him
from that time to this. Recently, however, she
had ascertained that he was living in the city.
Justice Wandell told her to make formal de-
mand upon her husband for support IL he re-
fused the law would deal with him.
A little later in the afternoon, Swede named
August Janson, porter of silk house at AT
Broome street. WAS confronted In Broadway.
near Grand street, by Mrs. Almesley, who
straightway addressed him as her husband. In
vain Jansen, who has wife and family living
in the upper story Of his employers premises,
protested. Mrs. Amesley examined his teeth,
and declared that he had dyed his red hair
brown. She followed him to his employers
store on Broome street. and demanded that he
should forthwith pay her $4,000. 1t required
the terrors Of policeman to induce her to go
away, .s
Yesterday morning she returned and again
claimed Jansen So her iiege lord, This time
she was arrested and taken to the Court which
she had visited as complainant the day before.
When Mrs. Almesley and the diminutive Mr..
Jansen presented themselves before Justice
Wandell, ill-bred spectators laughed. Mrs.
Almesley, in business-like way, retold her
story and assured the Justice that Jansen was
the recreant husband.
"Look where he lost his teeth a-bitin cart
ridges in the war, Judge," she said. He's
dyed his hair, because he was red." Mr.. Jansen
giggled.
His mirth changed to perplesity when Mrs.
Margaret Scott came forword carrying her baby
in her arms, and testified that he was her Scotch
friend Almesley. He had dyed his red hair, to
be sure, and spoke differently: but that very
morning she had heard him say two words Of
Gaelic.
speaking with strong accent Jansen gave
his name. He was Swede, he said, and he had
never laid eyes on Mrs. Almesley before she
stopped him on the street on Thursday.
"Oh, john" exclaimed Mrs. Almesley re-
proachfully, chow can you say so, when can
get dozen witnesses to swear that you are my
husband?'
'where are your dozen Witnesses asked the
Justice.
"Mrs. Jenkins, right around here on Eleventh
street is one. I'll go and get her."
She returned with little girl, who said that
she was Mrs. Jenkins's niece, and knew Almes-
"Point him out" said the Justice.
The girl looked around the room for q mo-
ment and then pointed her finger ut Jansen,
who had seated himself among the audience.
When they were confronted, and Jansen had
bpoAeh W uer, sne stiil inslsteu tuat ne WAS tuc
man, although the color Of his hair was differ
ent.
A man with gray moustache and imperial
testified that he was head clerk Of the importing
house at No. ATT Broome street. Jansen had
been in their employ seven years. and had lived
on the premises with his wife and family for
that length of time.
The Justice told Mrs. Almesley that she must
be mistaken. She had been deceived by q
chance resemblance.
Lord have mercy on a poor woman" said
Mrs. Almesley, the tears rolling down her
cheeks. "Oh, Judge, have mercy on me, and
give me my husband"
acct your husband arrested and I'll give him
to you," said the Justice.
"Who else can arrest but you, John Almes-
ley?"
Drying out, "May the Lord have mercy Oh
what have l done to be thus used?" Mrs. Alme,-
ley hurried from the room.