A HUSBAND'S BARGAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

A HUSBAND'S BARGAIN.

AMUSING EVIDENCE. : Somk amusing evidence was given in a London Police Court recently, when a carpenter, by' name John . Foxon, was charged with assaulting his wife by biting her on the hand. ' ''■'■'. , _ Mrs. Foxon, who! had-failed to put in an appearance on the proper day, poured forth a voluble excuse for " breaking ; the law," because she had an invalid old lady between life and death to attend to. *' Mr. Fordham: Well, now you are here we will take your evidence. You gave him into custody for assault? Mrs, Foxon: A little squabble between man and wife, all over a paltry few shillings. I had a slate and pencil in my hand. He wanted me to account for a few shillings, and I threw the slate at him. Mr. Fordham: By way of striking; a balance? (Laughter.) Mrs. Foxon: Well, 'pon my word, (Mora laughter.) It was only between ourselves. He took hold of my hand,'and this—':'. V :;'' ■ - -.'".. ' Here the witness extended her left hand and displayed a scar on her third finger. The Clerk: Rut how did he take hold of your hand? Mrs. Foxon: Why, with his hand, of course. Mr. Fordham: Tried to kiss it, I suppose? Mrs. Foxon: Yes. Mr. Fordham: But he bit it. Mrs. Foxon; Yes, but it was only for love. (Laughter.) I aggravated him; he aggravated me. But we must mix the sweets and the bitters. (Mere laughter.) Then, oblivious of the merriment she was causing, Mrs. Foxon turned to her husband and said: Before you leave the Court today, Mr. Foxon, have you not made me a solemn promise? The Prisoner: Yes. Mrs. Foxon: He has, and here it is. I wrote it down, and that's his signature at the bottom. The document was handed to the magistrate, who remarked that all the sweets seemed to be on one side; there was not even a dash of mild thrown in. The document read as follows:-"1 promise that I will never strike my wife again; never use bad language; always be just; give her all mv wages, and always make her comfort-' able.*' It transpired that the prisonei was released on bail and, "after they had dined," Mrs. Foxon wiote out the document and the prisoner signed it. After that Mrs. Foxon forgave Mr. Foxon, and Mrs. Foxon did not appear at the Police Court until she was warned by order of the magistrate. Mi. Fordham: Well, Foxon. I think you have signed a lot this time. Whenever you want ? little money for bee! or tobacco she will be shaking this m your face. You have made youi bargain, and 1 shall discharge you. Mrs. Foxon beckoned Mr. Foxon out, but ere they had reached the door Mr. Fordham said : Don't be too hard on him, Mrs. Foxon. He made the promis to give you all his wages under duress, but let him have a little for tobacco and it little for beer, else how can he be good-tempered? Mrs. Foxon smiled.