LOVE AND LARCENY.

West Coast Times, Issue 179, 16 April 1866, Page 3

LOVE AND LARCENY.

(From the " Grey River Argus.") A criminal case, involving a rather amusing love story, was brought before the Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, and occupied a considerable time in hearing. The culprit, a nautical young man, about 20 years of age, named John Moore, it appeared had, about six weeks ago, in Ilokitika, met with a woman named Susan Wise, who is somewhat advanced in age, being about 55, who at once fell desperately in love with him, and, naturally feeling an interest in his appearance and welfaro, made him a present of .£2B, to enable him to purchase new clothes and make other arrangements to marry her. This was done : the necessary preparations were made, and the wedding day fixed. In the meantime, however, tho lovers became acquainted with a young woman named Louisa O'Brien, whose appearance was more attractive in the eyes of Moore, and it was eventually arranged, with the consent of the future bride, that she should accompany the happy pair to Greyraouth, where the marriage was to take place. The party started from Hokitika last Sunday week, and arrived hero in the Bruce on the followirg day ; but it would seem that the voyage, although short, afforded tho young couplo sufficient time to discover each other's charms. The gay Lothario forgot his former vows to the venerable object of his first love ; and it was agreed between him and his new love that they should, on arriving at Greymouth, " slope," together. This was so far carried out, the faithless lovers taking with them a box belonging to the bride expectant, containing a silver watch and chain, £4 worth of gold in nuggets, a deposit receipt on the Bank of New South Wales for £30, and about £15 worth of ladies wearing apparel, including the fair creature's trousseau. On landing last Monduy week they proceeded to Rotchford's Boarding-house, where they passed as man and wife, under the name of Connelly, Their heartless schemes were, however, doomed to be frustrated, for on the deposit receipt, which was duly endorsed, being presented for payment at the Bank by the female prisoner, it was discovered that although she represented herself as Susan Wise, and said she had endorsed the document, she could not write. This probably appeared somewhat singular to the manager, who refused to cash it, but said he would send it to Hokitika for collection, and requested Louisa O'Brien aud her partner to call again. This of course they did not do, and information being given to the police, the female prisoner was arrested by Sergeant Dyer in town a few days afterwards, and the male prisoner was subsequently discovered in town by Mr Inspector James, most of the stolen property being found in their possession. It is almost needless to say that tho case created much amusement in Court, by the foolish old victim declaring that she had loved the male prisoner as dearly as any woman could lovo her husband ; and various other little pleasantries on the part of the deceiver regarding the virtue of his dupe, which wo need not add. Both prisoners were committed for trial, and the " gushing" Susan left the Court declaring that sho was broken hearted.

A young Irishman (placed by his friends as a student at the veterinary colloge) being in company with some of his colleagues, was asked if a brokon-windeel horse woro brought to him for cure, what ho would advise. Alter considering for a momont — " By tho powers," said ho, " I should advise tho owner to sell as soon as possible."