The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-02

Il nave no computations I'm confessing
that l have robbed this gas company. IL is
a corporation. These corporations rob
thepoor ana. when the poor Try to get
even with them, the gas company wants
us punished"
This argument. familiar enough 10 read
ers Of an unpleasant sort of newspapers,
was presented yesterday before city Mag
istrate Brann in Yorkville Court by Mrs.
Grace Mann. a music teacher. who Is the
widow OF II. ID. Mann. a hotel proprietor.
Mrs. Mann. Ia her home at 35f west Fifty
sixth street. has been using the gas OF
the Consolidated Gas Company. For some
timo tho employees OF the gas company
have noticed that. though gas was con-
stantly burning I'm her house. its con-
sumption was not recorded by the meter.
and accordingly was costing Mrs. Mann
nothing Henry J. Miller and John Burke
were sent TO investigate matters on the
night OF August q.
Mrs. Mann admitted them. so Miller tes-
tined in court. and they observed that
an the gas Jets in sight were lighted.
The inspectors announced their errand
and asked 10 be permitted TO see the
meter.
Really. now" Mrs. Mann said, "you
WOIlW nF very MfltNlilF 10 SO H. HfllNlf~
men. but II is IN the bathroom, and ONE
body IS taking a bath IN there just now.
Can't you ST down and wait a minute ="
They sat down. They waited one minute
and many more. Conversation Jagged.
without warming the gas Jets ceased 10
burn. and they were LETT I'm darkness
REAL. Mrs. Mann said Miller. II
think something must be wrong with our
..~.r~ = ts . man ar a NrQnfNn fhIfG IN
the bathroom
ut Is a gentleman" said the woman.
with some hesitation. Miller lit a match
and attacked the bathroom door. II was
opened by Walter Wickes. formerly .
coachman FOR Mrs. Mann, who held the
debatable meter in his hand.
What do YOU want?' said he.
you" said the inspectors.
They took charge Of the bathroom.
What they oun there. the inspectors
told the Magistrate. convinced them that
the meer had been removed from It's place
between tho supply pipe and the house
pipe and the two connected by a rubber
pipe. They were sure they had caught
Wickes IN the act Of putting the meter
back In It's place. Mrs. Mann begged them
not TO prosecute. She would pay for all
the gas she had usrS. she said. Never
theless. the inspectors swore out war
rants against her and Walter Wickes.
She came TO court crying and making
loud prOtestatiOns regarding her respec-
liability and poverty. She had pawned
$1,000 worth OF goods In trying 10 keep
up appearances. she said. and her plano.
worth 500. was even then being removed
by the sheriff 10 satisfy a mortgage. she
seemed especially 10 desire 20 acquit
Wickes OF all blame in the gas thievery.
whatever he has done" she said. II
have told him 10 do. II was not his fault.
And. anyway. il was no crime 10 rob a
gas company.
Wickes. on the other hand. wanted 10
take an the blame. lie stole the gas or his
own notion. he said. He received no wages
for working for Mrs. Mann, ana had
pawned his own property 20 help her.
Between the woman's cries for mercy
and the mans generosity, the Magistrate
seemed at sea.
"Can't YOU do something for this wom-
am" he asked the counsel for the gas
company.
Il am sorry 10 prosecute said the
lawyer. but we have to make an exam
pie Of somebody. There Is too much or
this sort OF stealing
You might make an example Of a man
rather than Of a woman said the Mag
istrate.
Mrs. Mann was paroled for examination
to-day. wickes was held In $500 bail.-New
York Sun.