A MOTHER OF TWINS.

NZ Truth, Issue 158, 27 June 1908, Page 6

A MOTHER OF TWINS.

Daphne's Indiscretions^

Daphne Anastasia - Gray is a t romantic moniker 'that the spring poet m*ght -write a sonnet about, but the real Dafphne Au.atasia, who lives m Ohris.tcb.urch, is addicted to beer and obscene language and makes periodical excursions into the :cealm of tiotousness, and lives .m sordid sur-" roundings where poetry wouldn't be recognised as such if it sprang up and! bit the inhabitants m the eye at every second step. Unfortunately Daphne is, the mother of twins and. the circumstance seems to have preyed upon her mind to such an extent that she has sought lorgetfulness m potations, 'long, deep and overpowering The lady has a violent nature when roused, and on a memorable occasion she set out to demolish the neighborhood, the wyjdows m the vicinity presenting a battle-Avorn aspect on the following morning. This breach of the law was punished by a fine and exes m the S.M. Court, but Daphne refused to pay, and Daphne's husband, who is a quarryman, also objected to the tax on his pocket, so that it looked like gacl. The only thing that prevented Daphne Anatasia's apprehension by the police was the twins, which howled defiance at t'ne arresting «is#Hfctebles and effectually kept them at ~ yelling fruit of 'Daphne's fell ■iSpiaLi'enturc couldn *t be abandonIVP^^K«' Vl '^vand ai» there was no xrest 'something m the -J ocr/urred, .until the ( I j

lady satisfied the law m due course on Cleary's palatial premises. Accordingly, the twins were carted to the Court ahd Magistrate Day inquired in.fco the circumstances. Daphne assured the S.M., with heartfelt conviction m- her voice, that she had given up the cursed drink, but Ms Worship said he would have to make the order. The miserable woman said she would work and pay the fine, and remark* ed that she expected money from some indefinite place, but the ""magisterial mind was made up. "What is your husband's religion?" he asked. "Scotch, sir," replied the unhappy mother. The assumption that every Scotchman is a Presbyterian is generally accepted. "And your own?" pursued his Worship. "Roman Catholic, sir.' 7 It was presumed by the Bench that the boy would be brought up m the Scotehbyterian faith and that the girl would belong to the Holy Koman persuasion, but Daphne, with unexpected energy and decision remarked that they would both be Roman, Catholics. They had been baptised m that faith. It is a remarkable thing that a person so sinful as Daphne had been proved to be should hold such strong religious views. His Worship merely mentioned what ' was ■ the usual practice, m the case of mixed mar^ riages, and remarked that the husband had' a right to be consulted on the subject. The children were duly committed, and consideration of the youngsters' religion was postponed to permit of the husband's views being heard. , ' —> < '"If you show signs of reformation m a few niontihs' time," . said Magistrate Day, not unkindly to tbe % woman, you should apply to the Education authorities, and they will probably let you have the children back again." : -