"The Finest Representative of Chivalry of the Century."

Manawatu Herald, 2 April 1892, Page 2

"The Finest Representative of Chivalry of the Century."

Captain Osborne, the husband of Mrs Osborne, who perjured herself in the case of Osborne v. Hargreaves, known as the Spink Pearl case, was so barrassed by his wife's conduct that he wanted to resign his commission in the army, but the Duke of Cambridge, the Commander-in-Chief, is reported to have refused to accept the resignation as " Her Majesty could not afford to part with the finest representation of chivalry of the century." Captain Osborne was engaged to his present wife, who was a cousin of Mrs liargreaves, at the time the jewels were stolen, and it was owing to the statement then made by the Hargreaves that they suspected her of stealing them that . led to the celebrated slander case in which the young lady, having become Mra Osborne, took against them to clear her character ! On the siugle statement of his fiancee, Captain Osborne disbelieved the suspicions of the Hargreaves and married her, thus proving his love for, and his confidence in, his betrothed. As the ferial neared its end, especially when the mysterious letter was handed to the judge, one can hardly picture the shock to the confiding husband. It is known that Mrs Osborne ran away to the Continent. During the trial, in support of the plaintiffs case, many harsh accusations were made against the Hargreaves, which at the conclusion were shown to be most untrue. Like a loyal gentleman Captain Osborne would not allow them to remain under the shadow of a suspiciou, and so prevailed upon his wife to give herself up to the law to answer the charge of perjury. It was the only way by which the two could become united, as otherwise Mrs Osborne would have had to remain in hiding, and her husband would have become a ruined and disgraced man. But how did he prevail upon this unfortunate woman to face such a position ? by threats ? no, but by the most considerate action. He went to the Continent, travelled in company with his wife, arranged that officers from Scotland Yard should await the arrival of the ! boat. On leaving the Foam she appeared pale and haggard, and was assisted up the gangway by -Ife* husband. The passage had been a y * rough one, and, in common with most of the other passengers, Mrs Osborne had suffered severely from sea sickness On board the boat she had been provided with a private cabin ; and in the club train a compartment had been reserved. It was not until Mrs Osborne was seated in the train that the warrant was produced and read to her. The train arrived in London at about 11. 15, and, contrary to custom, was stopped at London Bridge, that being nearest to the Cloak- lane Police Station, to which it was necessary to go. Here Major Woodhouse, the City police commissioner, and Mr Me Williams, chief of the City detective force, were waiting with cabs, and the journey to the police station was effected without attracting much attention. Mrs Osborne was accommodated for the night at the station house, bail being inadmissible in the case of a person apprehended on a warrant prior to an appearance before a magistrate. On being brought before the Lord Mayor, Mrs Osborne was brought in by a private way, and was seated for a time at the solicitor's table, Captain Osborne being beside her. A delay having arisen 1 she was alI lowed to leave the Court for a time and was assisted out by Captain Osborne and Inspector Taylor, who each took an arm, as owing to her weakness she was hardly able to walk, and in this manner led out slowly from the Court. On the case of perjury being called on Captain Osborne attended his wife and stood in the dock with her holding her hand. Under these circumstances we hold that the Duke of Cambridge has only expressed the general feeling when he described the loyal action of Captain Osborne to his erring wife as making him "the finest representative of chivalry of the century," and we trust that when she has wiped out her misdeeds by undergoing her punishment the husband and wife may be spared to enjoy years of happiness that may in some measure efface the most unfortunate commencement of their married life With such a husband there is a distinct hope of such a satisfactory ending.