Democratic messenger., 1881-03-26
A wOMAN,s VICTIM.
A Prisoner Tells His Story I'm a Lon
don Court,


A singular scene was witnessed lately
in an English court. In the dock stood
a straight, we'll fellow of about five
and thirty. He was fair man and pale,
and he asked the Court for permission to
ask question of the policeman who ar
rested him. The right to do this was
disputed. The prisoner had been taken
with spurious money in his possession
and had been previously convicted of
coming and had undergone seven years
penal servitude for the offense. Re
leased from prison he had gone back to
his former criminal habits it was an
old story, and so on. But the Judge
ruled that he should permit the ques-
tion to be put.
''Was it woman who gave you the
information ?"
The policeman hesitated.
answer" commanded the Judge.
cit was," said the officer.
''Do you see her in court ?" asked the
prisoner. The officer looked about
vaguely.
sIs that the woman ?" asked the pris-
oner, pointing to rather showily
dressed woman with handsome features
but cold, disdainful expression of face.
''It is" replied the officer.
'My Lord" said the prisoner, with a
slight tremor in his voice, ''that woman
is my wife p A buzz of surprise fol-
lowed the announcement, and the woman
turned her head away from the dock.
ST would like to say few words, my
Lord" continued the prisoner.
"The court will hear you" said Mr..
Justice Hawkins.
Thank you, my Lord, said the pris-
oner, no longer betraying any emotion,
but speaking in clear, firm tones 81
have served seven years on similar
charge to that now preferred against me.
If am again convicted you will give me
at least one and twenty years, and that
will end my life. Before you do so ]
would like you to know the whole truth
of this affair. married young. My wife
unexpectedly showed extravagant tastes
and very expensive habits. / was very
fond of her, and did all could to con-
tent her. Honestly I could not keep
pace with her desires, and we took to
coming. She was with me in all my OPP
eratioas, aided in the work, assisted in
passing the money. When we were tax
en- the evidence was just as strong
against her as against me. In answer
to questions / put to my counsel 1 was
told that if 1 pleaded guilty and said I
had compelled her to help me she would
get off. L did SO. and she was acquitted.
was sentenced to seven years penal
servitude. ] served my full time, and
came back to London, determined to
lead an honest life and to restore my
wife to an honest home. It was some
time before found her but I had OBJ
tanned work at Sos. week. had only
one wish to make new home for my
wife, Eventually 1 found her. She
was living with another man. His name
is Foster. She told me she had been
obliged to accept his assistance or she
would have starved. Foster was fell
low-workman of mine. / was willing to
believe all she said and to forgive her.
1t was bitter struggle, but did it.
Come home said to her, and let
bygones be bygones.' She said she
could not come Immediately. 1t would
take little time to break off with Fos-
ter, but she would do it. waited, and
every week as / received my wages /
took g1 to her and gave it her that she
might have money without asking Fos-
ter for any. At last she appointed a
night when she declared she would leave
Foster. was to meet her at the corner
of Rathbone place. / did so. She said
Foster had come out with her and was
street or SO off, but that she would &c
and tell him now that she hai made up
her mind to leave him. 8 / love you still,
she said, better than any other man in
the world, and would never have left
you of my own free will /; hold this until
come back I will only be few min
utes.' / waited, and almost immediate.
ly a policeman came and took me into
custody. did not know what the
packet contained it turned out to be
false silver coinage
He paused here, and there was con.
siderable sensation in court, everybody
convinced of the truth of the mans
statement, and impressed by its simple
but dramatic force.
learned afterward," said he, ''that
when she left me with that packet in my
hand she went up to the first policeman
she met, told him where stood, that ]
was a returned convict, coiner of O
power of bad money; she knew it, she
said, because / had tried to pass some oi
it upon her. That is my story. my
Lord -
You could have heard pin drop while
the prisoner was making his statement.
The court listened with almost breath
less interest. When he had finished, q
sort of half controlled expression Of
wonder and Indignation went round,
and the jury looked up at the Judge in
bewildered and puzzled way.
Policeman" said the Judge.
My Lord, :" responded the officer.
Did this woman speak to you, as the
prisoner says?"
+" Yes, my Lord"
And gave You the information as de-
scribed ?"
Eyes, my Lord"
"Was the packet of spurious silver in
his hand; as he says ?"
" 1t was, my Lord"
Upon the direction of the Judge the
prisoneS was acquitted and gentle
man started subscription for him. He
raised about 970 for him. The prisoners
story has been verified in every detail
Hrs MoNEy's WoRTH.-A stranger
from BRENNAN, who is helping Calves.
ton out in the Mardi Gras business, tool
his watch to Matchmaker to have it re-