The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-01-03


Was for the Girl.
San Francisco, December 30.--lu a
pelting rain and before daybreak the
Reverend Jere knode Cooke, formerly
pastor or the fashiopable ST George :
church, at Hampstead, l. A., and Flor
eta Whaley, the l1-year- old heiress
with whom he cloped eight months ago
deserting a wife 10 whom he had been
married for nine years, stole away
from the little fiat which they had oc-
cupied at 1893 Green street. where they
were discovered yesterday living under
the name of Mr.. and Mrs. Gerald Bas-
com, taking with them their baby boy,
born two months ago They left be
hind all they had saved during the
eight months. Search for them had
been made throughout the country.
The police say no effort is being made
to locate or apprehend the couple. The
discovery was made through the fact
that Captain Cleary Of the Morse Pa
troll Agency, who had met Mr.. and Mrs.
BalcOm when they arrived here last
June from Los Angeles, recognized the
girls picture published last week in
connection with a dispatch from Lou
isiana stating that Cooke had desert
ed FlOretta Whaley, and had given her
away to a family there who was edu-
eating her Yesterday afternoon to
representative from a local news
paper Cooke admitted his identity and
asked the reporter to lower his tone
so thai the girl in the next room might
not learn Of the discovery of their
identity.
My God, what m awakening from
our rappiness,' said Cooke. "All
want Is a chance TO get away. dOn'e
mind Sing ing oT hell. but it is she.
The Ci'!ld was 3CrE two months ago
and discovery and apprehension would
XII The mother"
the reporter the story of his life and
of his elopement with Miss Whaley.
The inexorable law must be main
tained," he said. II have preached It
50 often | ought to know. There Is
nothing that will paint black sheep
white. But l have my reasons. For
ten years | have kept silent For the
last eight months | have borne with
out a murmur all the abuse the viIest
lies that newspapers could cOncoct."
Cookies father died when he was 5
years old. He was adopted by an uncle
and learned the trade Of a papc--hang-
er and decorator He warked his way
through Yale and finally entered the
ministry Since his disappearance he
has been working at painting and any
other work he could get.
Cooke told Of his marriage and Of
his unhappiness after that time. He
declared that his wife admitted to him
that she had married him for no other
reason than that would prove conven-
lent stepping stone for her social am
bition. He added that il would be
"caddish TO dilate on my marriage
troubles. Then | awOEe 10 love and
everything else was worthless" He
continued. You know the end On
one hand was a lOveIess life with hon
or and wealth. and on the other love
and poverty. | chose this" He point
ed to the scantily furnished rooms. Il
don't praise myself for the step 7
took. 1t was weakness: ii was unman-
ly: but | am only human and as | am
TO be judged by human beings il is
but right that they shall know that
gave up all that | had fought for ana
won. Now all ask is to be let alone.
Il am doing n mans work. | have
sinned but have suffered. Now beg
wife and child can live the life OF
good citizen. They say I am a good
decorator. | was kept at work long
after the other men were let 90 during
the financial stringency ask the
world to let me be a painter. nothing
more. 10 do a mans work and enjov
the average society and happiness Of
the average man"
The only Identification established
so far of Gerald Balcom as the Rev.
Jere KnOde Cooke, IS his own admis
sion. Cooke said he was afflicted
with heart failure and several times
he was on the verge Of collapse du-.
ing the interview On the promise
that Mrs. Balcom" would not be ap-
prised OF the fact that their identity
had been discovered Cooke accompain-
ed the reporter 10 a newspaper 70 be
sketched.
On the way down town Cooke faint
bors speak in the highest terms Of he
pair and of Cookies devotion 10 his
supposed wife.
Mrs. s. NJ Miles, who lives in an
adjoining apartment. said that she