AFTER LONG YEARS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1716, 6 January 1920, Page 6

AFTER LONG YEARS.

HUSBAND .COMES BACK.

A TRAGIC DENOUEMENT,

. SYDNEY, Dec. 31. The story of Francis Joseph Ruther-; ford is one of libels dramas. Born at, Gotilbum (N.S.AV.) 67 years ago, and a; butcher by occupation, lie loft home in 1882 and went to South Africa, leaving; here a wife and young family. Then came news that’.ho-was,in the firing lino with the British Army in the Boor War. (Upon, receipt of a.message ;that'ho had been killed in action his wile and family went into mourning; But the great silence that had engulfed the man was broken on Christmas Day. His Wife, who had boon living ns a widow-since his supposed death, and hi§ now. grown-up family,,had just .fin-, ished their Christmas dinner when a figure appeared at the door. , It was Francis Joseph Rutherford. He stood in,front of the botyildored family, but they did not recognise him. Time evidently had brought its changes. He spoke to them,. but they regarded him as a stranger, and there was no familiarity in the talk that passed. Turning abruptly, Rutherford walked out of .the house. A few.; minutes later a stranger pass-

ing by found him on tho. pavement in front‘of the gate. Alongside him was bottle, whiqb had contained poison. He was admitted in a dying condition to tho Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. His wife, 'finally recognising him, followed him to the hbspital,-••and sat by him until lie died. Thus Francis Joseph Rutherford passed out of what must have been a strange world to him.