A SHORN SAMSON.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 63, 26 November 1881, Page 169

A SHORN SAMSON.

THE STOEY OF THE BANK CLEEK AND

THE FAIR SHOP-KEEPEE.

True be it said, whatever man it said, That love with gall nnd honey doth abound ; But if the one be with the other weighed, For every dram of honey therein found A pound of gall doth over it redound. — Spenser

Eespectable people in one of the suburbs arc severely scandalised by facts winch have recently come to light. How the story was divulged is not exactly known, but common rumour, wlio is often a liar, attributes it to the inquisitivencss of the fair neighbours of the parties. At present the story is merely whispered about with baited breath, but, as one or two ladies have got hold of it, the probability is that it will shortly be proclaimed from the housetops. So fay as they have come to our knowledge, the facts are as follows : — A certain bank official, occupying a high and responsible position, distinguished for his staid deportment and outward propriety of conduct, made the acquaintance of a fair shopkeeper at a social party, and the pair formed an attachment. Both are comparatively young and possess a moderate share of good'looks, but unfortunately there were obstacles in the way of matrimony both having already tried that experiment. The husband of the fair shopkeeper, however, lias business at a distance from Auckland, and is frequently away from his home for weeks together. The liason between the bank official and the erring wife therefore proceeded without interruption for some weeks, and arrangements were on the tapis for a meeting in Australia. By some means, however, the husband was informed of the position of affairs. He returned quietly, without informing his wife ■of the fact, and set himself to watch her movements. He was not long left in doubt as to her guilt, but instead of taking sudden measures, he waited for an opportunity to sheet it home. One

evening, as usual, the financial Adonis approached the rus in urhe by a detour, and Avas folloAved at a short distance by the husband. The banker Avas received with the customary blandishments, and the guilty pair were in the full enjoyment of their unhalloAved love, when their bliss Avas suddenly and rudely disturbed by the entrance of a supposed burglar. Having a thorough knowledge of the interior of the house, the husband had effected an entrance through one of the back AvindoAvs, and caught the guilty pair in flagranle delicto. As usual under such circumstances the lady screamed, -while the banker uttered an exclamation more forcible than polite. The burglar appeared to be armed Avith a revolver, and resistance Avas in A r am. Conceive the consternation of the guilty pair Avhen the supposed householder coolly proceeded to strike a light. Had a bombshell fallen in the midst of that scene it could not have created a greater sensation. The lady immediately fainted, while the banker made a frantic attempt to j ump through the AvindoAV, but failed. The injured husband proceeded in the most business-iike form to demand substantial satisfaction for the destruction of his domestic peace. Instead of wreaking sudden vengeance on the bank clerk, he calmly demanded a sum of £500 in cash as a solatium to his wounded honour. The gray Lothario demurred. Times Avcre hard, money tight, and he could not afford so much ready cash, but would give his note of hand. "No you don't," said his captor, in a determined tone. " You remain in this house iintil I get the rhino in hard cash, and if you attempt to stir, by heavens I'll shoot you, and alarm the A\4iole neighboui'hood."

A parley ensued, and ultimately the amount ■was reduced to £100. The banker offered his cheque. This was accepted, and written out on the spot. Glad to escape from such an awkward predicament, the banker seized his hat and was going, when he was again brought to a stand, and compelled to sit down. Without going into further details, it is only necessary to say that he was kept a prisoner in the house until nearly 10 o'clock next morning, when his captor suddenlyleft, hastened to town, cashed the cheque before payment could be stopped, and has since disappeared. It has been since ascertained that he sold his little property before leaving. Of course there arc two sides to every story. Some of the friends of the banker allege that the whole affair was a cunningly-devised trap arranged between the woman and her husband witli to view of fleecing their victim. They assert that he had been a frequent visitor to the house with the husband's knowledge and consent. It is not likely, however, that the public will hear any more of the affair, as the most strenuous endeavours have been made to hush it up ; and nothing would have been known of it had not the husband boasted to a friend of his smartness in " euchring the banker," who has had to pay rather dearly for his whistle. The ordinary annual meeting of the shareholders of the Ka'ipara Steamship Company will be held at Mr Stodart's, Chamber of Commerce Rooms, on Tn esday next, the 29th. instant. The new stock now on view by Messrs Shalders and son, comprising the latest fashions in drapery, fancy goods and millinery, is well worth a visit, and. the ladies of Auckland will do well to take the hint. Business men after a hard day's work feel as if they required something to sustain them. Nothing better has been discovered since the introduction of Crawford's sarsaparilla tonic. It can do no harm, and in nine cases out of ten does an immense amount of good.