POETIC FERVOUR.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17707, 8 March 1923, Page 4

POETIC FERVOUR.

AND THREATENED MURDER. He was a big, hea/vy man, past mid-dle-age, with, overhanging eyebrows and a bushy moustache. The Magistrate, described him as "an undesirable fat, old man," and he looked sullen and resentful. Yet ponderous as was his frame, and lethargic his intellect, he could rise to heights of poetic fervour .under the stress of amorous passion. And when still further stmulated by heady liquors, h© even went so far as to threaten his beloved, another man's wife, with death if she would not leave her spouse. Hie Husband, a cook, returned ironi the country unexpeeteu'iy, and discovered two Dillets aoux, wuich were sent to ms wile, tnrough the medium or a small daugliter. One of the notes, written on a piece of account paper, read as lohows: —■ ".sequestered in our calm domestic bower, i\e sat together as man and wire. I in manhood prime, and you a matron in your luiiest ilower. iou hummed a little song, and nestled near, as side by side we went to our repose, my arm about your waist. I winspered Edith, dear, and pressed my lips on your mouth's full rose. Tne sacred sweetness of your short, wedded life. Breathed a kiss as if you were my wedded wife. Don't let anyone break the sacred bond between you and I, but let Jim go an' come to me. — Andy. The other was something more to the point. It went as follows: — •_ Mr Dear Edith, —I have been wanting to see you very much, but could not. I heard that Simpson came in to town last .Friday. I hope you will not go with him; don't go with him; let him go on his own; you know that wo promised to look after one another for life. I will keep my part, and do my best for you. Will you do the same for me?" There followed details regarding the sale of some property and the epistle finished: "And if I caii only sell, we will have a little money to start something on if only small. — Your* loving, Andy." Enquiries from his wife made it clear to the husband, a rather diminutive man, that a home-breaker had been molesting her, and that he intended to do her some bodily harm. Accordingly, William Henry James Simpson proceeded against Anders Bey Anderson at the Magistrate's Court yesterday for sureties that the latter would keep the peace. He did that "not from any hatred, malice, or illwill, but merely for the preservation of the life and person of himself and wife without injury." Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., was on the Bench, and Mr. C. S. Thomas appeared lor defendant.

Simpson said that after his wife received the notes he went down the street, and spoke to Anderson, who said: "Come and have a drink." Witness refused.

.Mr. Thomas; is the woman really your wife?— Certainly, she's my wife. Do you find that your wife has any failings ?—iShe takes a glass occasionally, that's all.

She told you that she had a glass of beer with him (meaning Anderson)? — \'es.

This action is taken against the man because you say he threatened to shoot her on February 21st? —Yes. Do you know that up till the end of last week they have been drinking together?— Yes. .

Jidith Elizabeth Simpson said she did not know what occupation defendant followed. She had known him for a few weeks, having met him in the Zetland Hotel. She was in having "a glass'' when Anderson came in and began talking to her. Afterwards he followed her home. -That was before her husband came back from the country.

Mr. Thomas: Has he threatened you in any way?—l'es, he has; the day I hud him arrested.

What fori'—Jb'or threatening and molesting me. How did it come about he threatened to shoot you?—He said if 1 didn't leave my husband and go with him he would shoot me.

Witness said she had come along Oashel Street from the Zetland Hotei with a friend named .Mrs. Price. Anderson followed her, and used most disgusting language. He called her "a dirty ,» ant l said, j le did not believe she was married.

The Magistrate: Then ho asked you to leave your husband?

Continuing, witness said she did not like the look of Anderson. He was drunk at the time. She had not got Mrs. Price as a witness. She had. laid an information against' Anderson for beng drunk and tor callng her a certan name. The second charge was not gone on with, as she beleved that deltmdant would then leave her alone. Mr. Thomas: When did you have' a drink with Anderson!'—l was in the loom when he came in.

Are you prepared to say that vou have not had a drink with him in the Zetland: J —He bought his own, and 1 bought mine. . \»non did you last, have a meal with him r —A o aus wer. Did ycti havo one on Thursday?— Acs; there's no harm in that! \\ as it) at 'the Untannia ? —Yes. M ho eise was tnere '< The Magistrate: "mere may have been a chaperuue. Who paid."—He did Why did .you go?— 1 thought "•"he would leave me alone. Didn't you say you had no money?— No; my husoand sends me money i ■1 he Magistrate's: Its a puy ho couldn t gee work where he could take you with him. it doesn't seem much use leaving you behind. It would be just us well if you kept away lrom hotels All the trouble started there. Mr Thomas: How often do you go to hotels, every day?— Not every day • sometimes not fur a week! ' To-day you don't think he's to shoot you?— No.. ° Mr. Thomas asked that the information might be dismissed on th o evidence. ■ The woman was not afraid of Anderson. The Magistrate said he - thought that Simpson had mistaken the remedy. He waa asking that defendant might be bound over to keep the peace, and was therefore in terror of him. His wife did not go in terror of Anderson, for as recently as Thursday she had been meeting him on amicable terms in a restaurant. ' This old mrobate, one can't call him anything else," said the Magistrate, "has been endeavouring to seduce this woman's affections from"her husband. I sugeest that Simnsmi should get employment, and take' his wife away from the nresent surrounrlincs; and that she should take a prohibition order out aeainst herself." Mrs Simpson, be added,' would then be away from the influence of "an undesirable, fat, old man."