The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-10
SHE BURNED STOLEN GAS.
MRS MANY TRIES TO JUSTIFY
HERSELF WHEN ARRESTED.
Robbed. she says-uer SIrter Connection
Superseded by n Rubber Pipe - Servant
I.nL.a h.a ..aa an.nu.nILen. ahn nnEnIna

corporations Rob tho FOor, ana Ougnt To Bo
Robbed. she says-uer Meter Connection
superseded by n Rubber Pipe - servant
Locked Up as nm Acromplieet she Parolcd.
II have no computations in cunfessing that l
have rphhnd this gas company. II 10 q cor
p%oration. These corporations rob tho poor. and,
when the poor try 20 get even with thom, the
gas company wants us punished
This argument, familiar enough to readers OF
an unplcRsant sort Of newspapers, was pro
sentcd yesterday before City Magistrate Brarn
In Norkvillc Court BY Mrs. Grace Mann, a mus'c
teacher, who is the widow OF r. u. Mann. a
hotel proprietor. Mrs. Mann, in her home at
354 West Fiity.sixth street. has been using tho
gas OF the Consolidated Gas Company. For
some time the employees Of the company have
noticed that, though gas was constantly burn.
ing in her house.. It's consumption was not re.
corded by the meter, and accordingly was cost.
ing Mrs. Mann nothing. Henry j. Miller and
John Burke we're sent 20 investigate matters on
the night OF Aug. -.
Mrs. Mann admitted them, so Miller testified
In court, and they observed that oil the gas Jets
in sight were lighted. The inspectors an.
nounced their errand and asked 10 DO permitted
10 SEQ tie meter.
Really, now" Mrs. Mann said, you would
be very welcome TO see II, gentlemen, but 1t Is
In the bathroom, and somebody is taking q bath
in there just now. Can't you sit down and wait
u n!nutei'
They sat down They waited ono minute,
and many more. Conversation Jagged. With
out warning the gas jets ceased to burn, end
they were left in darkness.
Really. Mrs. Mann" laid Miller. II think
something must be wong with your meter.
Is y a man or a woman that's IN the bathroom"
III Is a genueman," said the woman, with
some hesitation. Miller Lit a match and at
Walter Wickes, formerly. a coachman for Mr..
Mann, who held the debatabie meter IN his
What do you wanti' said he.
YOU" said the Inspectors
They TOOK charge OF the bathroom What
tratc. convinced. them that the meter had been
removed from its place between the supply
pipo and the house pipe and the two connected
by a rubber pipe. They were sure they had
SSs saE IT W ~ 6i.,a IN The &C; o; putting The meter
to- Ts' pr ts tts S.AG Che Mos Would 9I nnr Os sSt them hen not
she had used. she said. SeyerihclGss. the in.
sEeGiors sm9re out warrants against her aud
She came TO court CRYING and making loud
pFotestatlons regarding her respectful .lity ami
to2os IN trying 10 Keep up appearances, she said,
ana Acr piano. worth. $500, was even then being
treSmoyed by, the sheriff to satisfy a moFtSaEc:
She seemed, especially 10 desire 10 aclui
ever he has 81 done. she said. Il ii teIG Him "I do.
1t was not his fault. And. anyway, II was no
crime 10 rob a gas COMPANY.
,W!ckes. on tho other hand. wanted 70 take
all the blame. lie stole the gas Q! his own no
ton, lie said He received no wage for WORK.
ing for Mrs; Mann. and had pawned his OWE
property 10 help her.
Between the womdn's cries for mercy and tho
mans generosity, the Magistrate seemed al sea.
can't you do something for this wonhai"
ne asked the counsel for the gas company.
81 am sorry 10 prosecute" said III. LAWYER.
but We have TO make AN example OF some
body. There Is too much Of this sort OF steal
ing."
You might make an example OF q man
IA her than Of a woman" said tho Magistrate.
suppose we let, the woman 80. then, and
prosecute the man, suggested the lawyer.
MIS- Mann was paroled Tor examination to-
day. Wickes was held IN $500 bail