The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-31
'AWOKE TO Love" I"
EXPLAINS COOKE,
THE EL0PER

San Francisco, Dec. 3i.-"I awDke to
love and everything was worthless On
tho one hand was a loveless life with
honor and position and wealth. and on
the othed love and poverty. | chose this"
said the Rev Jere Knode Cooke. fugitive
from justice in New York. when he was
discovered early this morning in a San
Francisco tenement with Floretto Wha-
ley, his 11-year-old parishloner with whom
he fled eight months ago from Hemp
stead. l.. J., deserving a wife.
Two hours after he had been traced 20
his homo and interviewed. the Rev Mr..
Cooke. with the girl and their baby OF
two months, left the tenement and van
ished in the rain at daybrcak. In search
Of continued liberty and oblivion.
The former rector of tfs, fashionable
St Georges church at Hampstead was
found In little fiat at 1890 Green street.
this city. He was living with Miss Wha-
ley under the name OF Mr.. and Mrs Ger
aid Balcom.
They left behind all they had managed
through rigid economy TO save for their
worldly comfort during the eight months
that search for them had beer made
throughout the country. Whittier they
went has not yet been aScertaned.
The police declare that no request has
been made 10 them to apprehend the
couple, and that no effort Is being made
10 locate or dctain them.
The discovery of Cooke and the girl
was made through the fac, that Capt.
Cleary OF the Morse Patrol agency, who
had met them as MIR and Mrs. Bal
colm." when they arrived here last June
from Los Angeles. recognized the girls
picture when II was published last week
In connection with dispatch from I<ouisi-
ana stating that Cooke had deserted
Floretta Whalcy and had given her
away 10 a family there who was cducat-
ing her"
When the interviewer called Balcolm
admitted his identity but sent the young
mother and the baby into another room.
| asking the reporter TO lower his tone that
she might not learn OF the discovery OF
their identity.
My God. what an awakening from our
happiness" exclaimed Cooke. "AlI /
want is chance to get away. don't
mind Sing Sing nor Hell--but IL Is She
The child was born two months ego, and
discovery and apprehension would Kill
| the mother"
Pacing back and FORTH Cooke told tho
| reporter the story OF his life and of his
elopement with Miss Whalcy.
The inexorable law must be main,
| tained." he said. 81 have preached IL so
often ought to know. There is nothing
| that will paint black sheep white But
! have my reasons. For 10 years / have
Kept silent For the last eight months
l nave borne without a murmur all the
| abuse, the vilest lies that newspapers
could concoct."
Cookies father died when Cooke was
years old. He was adopted by an uncle
and learned the trade of paper hanging
and decorating. He worked his way
| through Yale and finally entered the min
istry Cooke told OF his marriage and
of his unhappy married lifo He declared
that his wife admitted to him that she
had married him for no other reason
than that il would prove az convenient
stepping stone for her social ambitions
lie added that ii would be 'caddsh to
dilate on my marriage troubles"
Then i awokc TO love and everything
else was worthless he continued. You
know the end. on the one hand was
loveless life with honor and position
and wealth, and on the other love and
poverty. 1 chose this"
He pointed 10 the scantily furnished
room.
don't praise myself for the step
took 1t was weakness; IL was unmanly:
but / am only human. and as i am TO
be judged by human beings Ii Is but
right that they should know that | gave
up all that had fought for and won
Now all i ask is TO be let alone. I
ahi ooihs man Work. | have sinned
but have suffered. Now I beg the world
TO let me alono with my wife and child
can live the life of good citizen
They say / am good decorator. I was
Kept at work long after tho other mon
We're let go during the financial string
ency / ask the world TO let me be a
painter. nothing more; to do mans
work and enjoy the average society and
happiness of the average man"
Cookies neighbors spoke In the highest
terms OF the pair