TALES OF TERROR

NZ Truth, Issue 1127, 7 July 1927, Page 9

TALES OF TERROR

Did Wife's Jealousy Wreck Home? (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Rep.) > .'"■■ Major Gordon's wings of surveillance will henceforth flutter around the' domestic affairs of John Cargill, of Newton, who, 19 years ago, took unto himself a wife intenV upon the noble idea of sharing one another's joys and ambitions. , GUT the oil of love m their matri- ■ moniai lamp soon went dry and gave place to the more combustible fuel of discontent. So unbearable did. things become that Mrs. Cargill subsequently left home and finally decided to apply for a separation order on the grounds of cruelty. ' Her tale .was most distressing. A fortnight, ago hubby had grabbed her by the throat and was going to "put her, to sleep," she declared. She had left him because a day or two afterwards he ' had told her — as he was leaving m the morning — that "she had better not be there when' he returned." \ ' " ' His last assault upon her had registered bruises on her left side, although he had' not effected any artistic arrangement of her eye, as was suggested by her , counsel, Lawyer Clarke. It must have ibeen during the war, When John's/duty it was "to keep the .home fires burning," that' he hurled her upon the hot stove, as the wife alleged. . . "He is ,all right for two or three 'weeks and then seems to go mad," continued the unhappy woman. Magistrate Hunt suggested- that she should endeavor to put up with things, but Mrs. Cargill was adamant. •; It was Lawyer Singer, appearing for the husband, who drew the more important evidence, from ihe woman, but she disclaimed any reputation as a drunkard or, one given to using lurid language around the house. \ ,'.'■ She could see no conceivable reason why she should let anyone know where she went seven days' in the week. "Do you remember allowing your 15-year-old daughter to go put with a man was three parts intoxicated?" asked Lawyer S|nger.. • "Nothing of the kind!" came the indignant reply. . Reference,, to a little knife-play was then brought to- bear on the tale. of. terror that reigned within the precincts of -the ; Cargfli home,. But it was not the wife who had thrown the knife at 'her husband. Oh, no, indeed: it had been he— the brute-^---who had rushed at her with the culinary weapon. . Just when Mrs. Cargill was warming up to her story and fringed upon the 'great affection between father and daughter, S.M. Hunt chipped m: "Ah! I see, it id a" case of jealousy, eh?" "He" goes to the girl's room at night and says that I am not fit to clean her boots," continued the witness, almost m tears. : ■•;.' . ■ ■ "He takes her into a room and and gives her money and 'tells her -." everything, and I have no comfort' ■ at all." ••;•■: - ' :■ .., y ... :..•,-■■■- , At' this stage Cargill hurriedly consulted his counsel arid the proceedings were suspended while Lawyer Singer' and, his client left the room. Returning shortly afterwards, counsel told, the magistrate -that the husband agreed to separation arid 30/- v a week-maintnance. V ',' Gargiir sidled up to the bench to address the SiM., but was rebuked by his counsel's angry 'voice: '.'I have already told you four times, Mr. Cargili; that Major Gordon will iook after your wife! How , many more times have I totellyou?" . ' ;