AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7507, 15 September 1902, Page 2

AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE

A STRANGE CASE. At the Westminster Guildhall the claim) of Mrs Elizabeth Shepherd against Waffiata' Shepherd, her husband, for alimony, was heard before Mr Montagu Sharp. It was alleged) that the defendant;, a wealthy barge'owner, residing at an hotel in Gravesend, and who describes ibinnself aa the "Father of the Thames," hadl treated! his wife with cruelty and hadl instigated! his daughter to dragi her about by the hair., Plaintiff, it was stated, was thirty years younger than, defendant,, and; was married) in 1900. He professed religion, used tot readl from his Bible copiously, and) pray, " Oh Lord, relieve me from this obstacle," meaning his wife. Oliver Cavill, a Trinity pilot, who saddl he frequented 1 the Commercial Hotel at GTavesend, of which the defendant -was the landlord, was questioned! by Mr HoUoway) (for the defendant). Asked when (he firsltt saw the plaintiff, witness said): She came to me one evening, and. she well knows} What she told 'me. Suddenly turning to) Mrs Shepherd, who sat near, witness exclaimed, " Don't make faces at me, or U won't stand here, you nasty tihing." Proceeding', witness said 1 : " She came ten me in 1 'the bar andi soys to me;, 'How. long) ihave you known tjhe old chap?' I says to) 'er, 'About thirty years, andi I've always known 'im as a h'ard-worbing, honest, straightforward oldi chap.' Then &hei asks me, 'Do you think Ihe'a g<ot lany money?' And' she says, 'Look afc the barges he's got.' Just then. Ada (a servant) went out, and she says, 'I cv, gotl something older than that — Mr Shepherd; ist my lawful 'husbamd.' Well, your Worships, I thought she was the new barmaid, and I told her straight, and says, ' Good) Lord, woman, you ought to have thought of that before ' (laughter). She's a wickedi womaai. The old chap never struck her — he'di never (hurt anyone. I see her once, though, get hold of a roll of floorcloth and/ bash it right at the old chap's head. Iti came right past my shoulders, and I say I .* to the cihap that was wit4r me, ' This as no* place for vs — we'd better get downstairs, Fred' — and we went, too"' (loud laughter). Tha hearing! was adjourned,. . .