St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1881-04-16
ily-dressed woman with handsome
features, but n cold disdainful ex-
nreSSipp Af faca

IL is, repiIeu Sue Oucer.
"Mv lord" said the prisoner wit
a slight tremor in his voice, "tha
woman IS my wife ]" A buzz of sur
prise followed tue announcement
and the woman turned her bea,
away from the dock.
II would like to say few words
my lord" continued the prisoner
Il have no objection, your lord
ship" said Mr.. Poland.
THE court will hear you," sale
MIR. Justice Hawkins.
"Tnank you. my lord" said. The
prisoner, no longer be.raying an,
emotion, bat speaking in clear, firm
tones: Il have served seven years
on a similar charge to that now
preferred against me. If l 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. l married young.
My wife Unexpectedly showed ex-
travagant tastes and very expensive
habits. I was very fond of her, and
did all [ codld to content her
Honestly I could not keep pace
with her desires, aud we took 20
the coming. She vas with me in
all my operations, aided in the work
and assisted in passing the money.
When we were taken the evidence
Was just as strong against her as
it was against me. In ans
wer to questions I put to my coun-
sell was told that if l pleaded gull
ty and said l had compelled her to
help Inc sue would get off. / did
SO, and she was acquitted. I was
sentenced to seven years penal SER
vitude. / served my full time and
came back to London, determined
to make living. To lead an honest
life and to restore my wife to an
honest home. 1t was some time be-
fore l found her; but I had obtained
woik at 3s week. l had only one
wisb-to, make new home
for my wife. Eventually found
ner. She was living with another
man. His naihe is Foster. She told
me that she had been obliged to ac-
cept his assistance or she would
starve. Foster WIS a fellow-work-
man OF mine. | was willing to be-
lieve all she said aid forgive her. 1t
was II bitter struggle, but / did it.
Come home. SAID to her, aid let
bygoues be bysones.' She said she
could Lot come immediately. 1t
would take n little time to break off
with Foster, but she would do it. |
waited, and every week, as I re-
:eived my wages, took 81 to her,
hat she might have money without |
,skInS Foster for any. At last sue
declared she woali leave Foster. I i
vas TO meet her at the corner of
Rathbone place. I did SO. She
'aid Foster had come out with her,
Iud was street or 81 oil, but she
would go and tell him now that she
lad made up her mind to leave
llm. i love you still. she said,
better than any other man in the
world, and would never have left
'ou of my own free will; keep this
Until I come back;.I will only be
zone few minutes I waited, and
.iluost i:nnediately policeman
ame and took Inc imto custudy. l
lld not know what the packet con-
aimed; it turned out to be false sill.
er coinage.
He paused here and there was con-
iderable sensation in court; every
ody was convinced of the truth
{ the mans statement. and i'm
ressed by its simple but dramatic
Jrce.
Il learn ID afterward," said he.
that when she lett me with that
acket in my Eand she went to the
rst policeman she met. told him
here / stood, that / was return /
d convict, Il cuiner of power of I
nd money; she knew it, she said.
ecause had tried to pass some of
upon her. That is my story, my t
nd" {
You could have heard pin drop t
bile the prisoner was making his i
atement. The court listened with {
most breathless interest. When he t
,d finished, II sort OF half-controll-
expression CT wonder and indig- I
| ion went round, and the jury t
oked at the Judge in IA bewildered t
ld puzzled way.
Policeman" said the Judge. n
My lord" responded the officer. S
Did this woman So speak to you 9