A MODERN BLUEBEARD.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11558, 20 February 1906, Page 4

A MODERN BLUEBEARD.

Mohammed Ben Ferma, a wealthy merchant of Tangier, recently migrated to the French capital with three of his prettiest wives, and a native servant named Sulima. He set up his harem in a flat on the south side of the Seine, and, having set his house in order, he proceeded to "del" Paris with much zest. He found the gay city so much to bis liking that he quite neglected his dear little wires, who for* days on end saw nothing of; their lord and master. In time they tired of seclusion, and longed to explore Paris themselves. So didSulima. Her sympathies were so much with the Mesdames Ben Ferma that she procured for them European outfits. Disguised in the latest Parisian 1 garments, ihe ladies _n joyed many little excursions abroad,, but one fine day, unfortunately, Ben Ferma returned to bis domicile and found his harem empty. When tho ladies returned there were scenes. The angry African determined to prevent a repetition of his wives' escapades, and had a large iron cage built in one of tho back rooms, ln this he locked up his wives whenever he went out, and took the key with him. Uut the locksmith who had built the cage was somewhat smitten with Sulima's charms, and it needed only a little persuasion on her part aud a douceur of 20 francs to pro-

/cure a duplicate key. So once .more Itheoccupantsjof the harem were free "j to indulge in forbidden pleasures. \Tnej enjoyed themselves with dig* Ic.etion for a time, but, becoming careless, stayed out longer than {.sual on one evening, and were surprised by Ben Ferma, before they could regain their cage* Drunk with wine and half mad jealousy, the Algerian decided to Hill all four women. He was pra«> paring to smother them in tba ap* proved Othello fashion, wher»|- in response to their scream., thb flat was invaded by half-a-dozen police. Baulked iv hia vengeance, Ben. Forma fiercely attacked the reecuew, and, fighting like a madman, kept them busy for ten minutes before they could overpower him. Trussed like, a fowl, he was taken to prison. to await his trial for attempted, rciurder. And now the authorities are wondering what to do with Ben Ferma's harem.

The late Mr Robert Davies has by his will endowed Mr Evan Roberts with £5 a, week for life; The millionaire philanthropist greatly admired the revivalist preacher. As showing the demand for bouse property in Timaru (says the Tixnaru Post"), a property owner who advertised a house to let lasfcweek, received no fewer thanjil; applications for it.