CRAZED WITH CARE.

NZ Truth, Issue 215, 7 August 1909, Page 5

CRAZED WITH CARE.

CROSSED IN HOPELESS LOVE.

McCarthy m tfae Miserables.

A New Chum's Suicide at Auckland.

Auckland is getting more than the average share of sensational tragedies just lately. . Only a few weeks a«o a German blew his head to pieces after vainly endeavoring to murder the landlady of a boarding-house. Now another remarkable suicide has thrilled the sensation, mongers. This tragedy, too, was enacted at a boarding-house, and the man was also a suitibr whose passion was not requited, and a further similarity exists m the fact that m this affair also the man pressed a revolver to the girl's forehead whilst m a state of excitement verging on insanity. Fortunately, however, the girl seized the weapon and the man's fell intentions (if he had any against her) were frustrated by her decisive promptness. He made no further attempt to threaten her, and very shortly after took his own life. The victim was an Irishman, Charles Barry McCarthy, aged about 3-5. He arrived m Wellington from England quite recently, and cams to Auckland by the Talune a few days ago. On Monday afternoon he went to the house of Mrs Wright, who, with her daughter, Evelyn, conducts at boardinghouse m Williamson's-avenue, G-rey Lynn. He was an old friend of the family, and lie called for the express purpose of ASKING MISS WRIGHT TO JMAKKY HIM. The young lady told him that it was impossible as she was already engaged, and could never be more than a friend Ijp" him. He then threati-ned her with the revolver. Afterwards, he: asked to be 'left alone to write a letter, and later, when the young lady had taken him a cup of tea and retired, McCarthy took prussic acid and died very shortly aftst. That is the brief outline of the tragedy, but further details show that it was one of the most romantic affairs of the kind ever known an New Zeil nd. McCarthy had come out all the thousands of miles that separate England from this country for the express purpose bE securing Miss Wright's hand m marriage and finding thrre was no hope for him he deliberately and with determination took his life rather than f:\ce the future without the girl he loved. To be.^in at the beginning, it is necessary to look back a good few years. Mrs Wright, 'who is a lady of a superior type, was . then living m Englan'l with her daughter m a good social position. McCarthy lived near them and was a friend of the family, but he regarded Miss Wright, then only a school girl, m a much more passionate light than that of a mere friend. She evidently liked him m a girlish fashion, but did not regard him seriously as a suitor as he was sixteen years older, but there was no mistaking the man's devotion, and he seems to have determined to wait until she was old enough and then marry her. They went walks together and he apparently took it for granted that SHE WAS TO BE HIS WIFE. j The years rolled by, bringing time's in-

evifable changes ; McCarthy is" tfext heard of m the United States, where He Bad gone to study medicine afid electricity.He next returned to England qualified as an electrical doctor. lii itftffc cifctfrhstahces induced 1 Mrs- Wright arid he* daugh- ■■ ter to set out for N£w Zealand sAi etatar k in the boarding-house business. McCarthy accompanied them 1 to this country, but returned to England after a short stay. By this time, Miss" Wright's girlish fancies, if she had - ever cherished any,had disappeared with dawning woiriaihooil, and she looked on McCarthy as' &h 'old ami estimable f fiend of the family' ; but by no means a- lover. It was very different, however, with the man. He was as passionate m his devotions as m those distant days when he had rambled with the girl m the leafy lanes of old England. Then came the thunderbolt m the shape of news of her engagement io another man. McCarthy straightway cabled to Auckland reminding Miss Wright of their early days together and expostulating against her engagement to another. The young lady cabled a reply and also' wrote, but before the letter arrived, McCarthy had set sail -for New Zealand to make his appeal m person. He let nothing stand m his way, but came straight on to Auckland. AFTER THAT FOLLOWED THE TRAGEDY. As soon as he saw Miss Wright he proposed marriage, reminding her of old times, and telling her that he was well of! and could afford to keep her m comfort. She explained that the idea could not be entertained as she was already engaged. McCarthy went away, • but returned later, stating that he wished to apologise. Mrs Wright and her daughter welcomed him, and invited him to stay to dinner. He declined, but said he would like a cup of tea. This was mads, arid given to him by Miss Wright.. Then followed the revolver incident, after which he asked her if she would mind leaving the room, as he desired to write a letI tcr to catch the mail and her presence distracted his attention. She retired, closing the door behind her. A few minutes afterwards two boarders heard a thud as of a body falling. Running into the room, they found McCarthy m his death agonies on the floor. A boarder ran for assistance, and chanced to meet Dr. Keith at the end of the street. The Doctor hurried to the scene, but it was al- . ready too late. He found the unfortunate man unconscious, and McCarthy died a few minutes later. He had written a note bidding good-bye to his mother and others, and declaring that he had given up six years of his life to the girl. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Wright and her daughter, who is IS) ■ years of age. Naturally THE AFFAIR WAS AN" AWFUL SHOCK to them. Deceased was an old friend of whom they had the highest opinion, but never regarded him as a prospective husband of the girl. He had been m Samoa, where he had an attack of fever, and on his first visit here was m hospital about a month.