MAHOMET'S "MISSUS"

NZ Truth, Issue 578, 15 July 1916, Page 8

MAHOMET'S "MISSUS"

The Brown Man's Wife

Madge Makes a Miss m Matrimony

And Fails to Establish Her Claim

1 A sort of pie-bald party was held before Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court on Monday, when Madge Salaman, appetite and somewhat pretty damsel, sued her only lawful "hubby," Abraham Mahomet Wolly Salaman, which name represents about eight stone 6f sooty-colored Hindoo, who is proprietor of a dye works. ; "Desdemona" was represented by Mr. P. W. Jackson, and the Oriental "brudder" was backed up by Mr. H. Buddie. ' Madge got into the box, and said that holy matrimony had been accomplished between herself and the hundredweight of Hindoo on December 23, 1915. She was 19 years of age at the time of her inhabiting the witness box, and her Hindoo husband had promised to gi^ve her all THE RICHES OF THE IND when he made her his bonny bride; but he had failed to keep her m plain, ordinary "tucker," even. ■ .* ' Mr. Jackson elicited that she was a Miss Madge Cardno previous to becoming Mahomet's bride and that, for nine weeks' after the consummation of piebald matrimony, they had lived at her mamma's place. Subsequently they went to Riddiford-street, and inhabited a house and shop there. Mr. Jackson: Has he properly maintained you? — No. Has he given you any money at all, .or any clothes? — Not a permy — none at all. Did he give you sufficient food?— No, he did not. Mr. Jackson: How did you come to leave?— He put me out. He told my mother to "take me to Hell out of that." I was afraid of my life. He TRIED TO CHOKE ME m bed the night before. Here Mr. Buddie took a hand m the pie-bald marriage pie and sorted the ingredients out a bit.- He ascertained lhat the loving bride and groom consummated their honeymoon at Adamsterrace. She useii to spend her evenings m a very miserable manner for a brand-new bride, as her husband was very jealous of his treasure. Mr. Buddie got to work on the nonclothing and foodless part of the charge. He asked Madge about her mantle and drape department. The 19---year-old bride started off with a dash about her underclothln*g, but was quickly pulled up by the modest crossquestion. He "didn't want to know about underclothing." Then Madge went into a list (on pressure) of silk blouses, slip bodices, silk hose, and "a wedding dress" that would have made a summer's sale of drapery look like a menu card by comparison. She also stated that she had worn a pearl ring, which she had sold for 10s, a gold pendant and heart which she had lost, and a gold watch, which was undergoing repairs There was also a diamond ring which her Hindoo "hubby" valued at £75, but she disputed the value. Did you ever say to- one of the employees that you had never worked before marriage, and that you were not going to work now that you were married to a black ? — I NEVER SWEAR. ' I never heard such words until I was married. Mr. Buddie extracted a little, which was to the effect that the bridal dress (of silk) cost £17. The evidence of the brown bridegroom was a recital of the values of silks, groceries, etc. He had always given his little bride plenty of money, and he had purchased enough groceries to feed on army corps. The bill for groceries alone amounted to the respectable sum of £ 6 4s 8d for one month. Mr. Jackson: She says that she never saw THE COLOR OF YOUR MONET? — What! She sarch my pocket every night (laughter). A little altercation took place here, Mr. Jackson saying that the "diamond ring" was a work of the pastrycook's art and no diamond at all. He reckoned that it was valued at 365. Mahomet reckoned that he had practically kept the Cardno house, and that he was never asked to pay a part of the rent. He reckoned that he hoa , dtine a great deal more than his share. His Worship reckoned that the bonny bride had failed to establish her case, and was not entitled to separated matrimony and separation allowance. Ho thought that the defendant had clearly established his defence. Tha application would be dismissed.