A CHRISTMAS IDYLL.

NZ Truth, Issue 81, 5 January 1907, Page 4

A CHRISTMAS IDYLL.

WIFE AND PARAMOUR. Erring Husband and Irate Wife. Steamer Steward m a Stew. Scrap, Scratch and Stciish m Wlllls-st. People who. were m the vicinity of the Empire Hotel on Christmas Eve had a free show provided them that was much appreciated by all concerned bar the actual actors m a squally little- domestic drama. The dramatis personae were a steward from one of the U;S.S. Co.'s coasters, his young wife, and hubby's other girl ; his ownest owney Mary. How is it that single girls are so prone to steal 't-ho affections qf young ■married men? And how is it that voune married mat are so ready to let their affections be prug ? . There is '''A DELICIOUS FLATTERY m. a .girl openly showing her preference for a man' who cannot marry her by reason of being already married, that few men can withstand, and more homes that should be hapnv are broken up, more wives' whole life blighted, by the interloping of single girls, than by all other causes combined. It ' seems as if the sight of young husband and young wife living lovingly together inflamed desire, aroused covetousness and kindled love m. the bosom of the young woman visitor, for her friend's property.

In the case under notice, it appears that Mary had sponged on the younp wife, for a home, for six months and that the latter had discovered that she and her husband were en far too friendly terms and she, induced her man to send the .eirlaway. She had previously condoned his desertion ot her for a girl at Pananui and had begged, him off with Magistrate McArthur, who was frolnft to send- him un for a sixer.

Wifev's rage, therefore, wh?n on Christmas Eve. she, beins; out with her mother and baby, was told that her husband was doing a nice walk with this precious Mary around the back streets,, may be excused. Handin"- hubs over to eran'n-a the little woman set sail down ' Willis-street, «nd ran full tilt against the precious

pair A at. about 10.30, opposite the Empire Hotel, where they were m th« act of ardently wishing each other a Merry Christmas. Mary BEGAN TO HAVE A MERRY TIME right away, for the wife simply sailed m and gave her a good hiding before the noble husband could interfere, which, to his everlasting shame, he did eventually by striking his own wife for getting to his girl. Mary, just as such an interloper might be expected to do, squealed, put up Ho defence, but RAN FOR A POLICEMAN and gave the woman she had so cruelly injured m charge. People wanted to know if the copman should not rather take her husband for assaulting her m the public street, vrhile the crowd that gathered told the officer that Mary did ' not get half enough and the irate wife declared that if her cowardly husband had not interfered Mary would not have been able to show out for awhile. There must be a certain fascination about this steward fellow, for both j these single girls who have taken him to their arms and hearts knew well he was a married man and ia the cast of THE BLUSHING ROSE at Papanui (Christbhurch) the girl's mother was also well aware of the fact and encouraged him to desert his wife for her daughter's dubious charmer. Apart from his inf situation , this fellow is said to.be good to his wifp and it is stated that they were a happy couple until measly Mary butted m between them. .If Mr Ship's Steward is wise he will br^ak her trammels, ask his little wife arid the mothe of his child to forgive him and try and rensw their once happy and contented life.