DOMESTIC DRAMA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8847, 25 June 1907, Page 1

DOMESTIC DRAMA.

Emile Prudent, in spite of his name, is a rash young man, hut rs devoted as he is unwise, says the Paris corespondent of the London Telegraph. His trial for attempted manslaughter, of which the jury of i the Seine found him not guilty, was one long story of his misfortunes in wedlock. Ho began by marrying ins wifo?after she had a child, and legitimising the child as his own. Who was its father? asked the judge. Prisoner had no idea. The judge added that ho believed the lady herself was not sure either. The couple went to the Far East, and Prudent was manager of a good business at Hanoi, in French Tonqun. But his wife helped herself out of the till, and one day £l6O was missing. Prudent knew that his wife had taken the money, but gave himself In charge in her stead, was convicted, and did five months’ imprisonment. When he came out, the unfortunate Prudent found that his wife, who had been unfaithful already, had lived with a man name Petit openly, and was the talk of Hanoi. He forgave her, and was happy with her a week. He told her that his love for her was unchanged. He might be thought ridiculous, but nothing could alter his love for her. After a week she departed with Petit, went to France, and introduced Petit to her people as her betrothed, whom she meant to marry after she had divorced Prudent, on the ground that he had been convicted as a thief. that he had assumed guilt, while innocent, to shield her, this last blow was a little too much, and he followed her to France. He went to call on Po*it, remonstrated mildly, and got his wife back. He was in bliss again—for one more week. His wife seemed unable to remain more than a week with the same man. She told him he bored her, and went off. Prudent, like the worm, turned at last, waited for Petit in the street, and fired twice at him with a revolver. Luckily for both men, Petit was only grazed. Prudent immediately gave himself in charge. At the trial Petit volunteered evidence with engaging candour. At Hanio, said, ladies were in a minority. Hence many husbands were as unfortunate as Prudent, ‘ ‘ whose behaviour had been throughout quite correct.” He ad< ded that ‘ ‘ his own behaviour had been equally proper. ’ ’ He still lives with Madame Prudent, who declined to appear at the trial “to spare her modesty,” The jury, evidently commiserating the long-suffering husband, acquitted Prudent without leaving the box,