The Sun. — 1859-01-08 (London, England)

SERVANTGALISM. THE MAN -IN THE COAL-HOLE. •--IMPORTANT JUDOIENT.--40RDAN V. COURT.  Plaintiff is a servant, and native of the Emerald Isle, and sought to recover the sum of 10s. 6d. for three weeks' wages, for services actually rendered to defendant, a widow lady, who had discharged her under, according to plaintiff's statement, the following circumstances. She had entered defendant's service as domestic, at an yearly wage of £9, and had been in the situation three weeks. On Sunday Mrs. Court and her daughters went to church, and upon their return, defendant found praintiff's young man in the kitchen, and then and there packed her at refusing tb pay any wages, and turning herinto the street at eleven o'clock at night.  His Honour—When you took the place, did you introduce your young luau to your mistress Plaintiff—Oh, no I  His Honour—And I suppose never said a word about him. What is he ? Plaintiff—A gas-fitter.  His Honour—ls he an Irishman? Plaintiff--No.  His Honour—Well. Do you think it was a proper thing to have your young man to see you in the absence of your mit.tress on Sunday night ? Plaintiff—Well, perhaps not.  _ His Honour—No. E' servants will .do these things, they must expect to lose their places and their wages. Defendant—lf your Honour will permit me, I can put a very different face on the matter. I am a widow, and with three daughters keep house, there being no man in the house. On the Sunday night in question, when I returned from church, about half-past eight, I smelt a very strong effluvia of tobacco. I asked Jane if any one had been smoking, and she said no—she did not smell anything ; but a short time afterwards she came up stairs and •said "I can account for the smell of tobacco. I put a piece of tobacco in my mouth for the toothache, and threw it into the fire." With this explanation I was satisfied for a time, my not having suspicion, as Jane was a hard working woman. My daughters had gone for a walk, and upon their return about ten o'clock, feeling still uneasy, I went into the kitchen. No one was there. I then went into the back kitchen, and finding the gas out, I became still more uncomfortable. I then went into the yard and looked about, when suddenly a big, ill-made Irishman rushed out of the coal hole right upon me. (Roars of laughter.) • I screamed out and cried -" Murder 1" A policeman was sent for, and with Sarno difficulty he was got rid of. Upon being questioned, he said it was his intention to have stopped till the family  had gone to bed. Under these circumstances, and the duplicity evinced by plaintiff, she (defendant) felt justified in sending her away and not paying her any wages. Plaintiff—And you refused me a character.  His Honour I must say Mrs. Court was justified. Here we have a lady who trusts to her servant, she having no male protector in the house, and that servant introduces a man, whom she hides in the coal hole, Now there might have been murder here. It is gross misconduct, and the laws says that, when a servant misconducts him or her self, he or she shall forfeit wages earned or to accrue. Plaintiff—l wanted him to go.  His Honour—Yes, and he refused. No one can tell what might have occurred, and defendant was justified in acting as she did, and I shall give her .a verdict.  Judgment for defendant.