THE MAN WHO CAME BACK.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16725, 7 January 1920, Page 5

THE MAN WHO CAME BACK.

TRAGIC DENOUEMENT.

(nox oub omr cobkxstontxht.)

SYDNEY, December 31. The story of Francis Joseph Rutherford is one of life's dramas.

Bom at Goulburn (N.S.W.), 67 years ago, and a butcher by occupation, ho left home in 1882, and went to South Africa, leaving here a wife and young family. Then came news that he was in the firing-line with the British Army in the Boer war. Upon receipt of a message that ho had been killed in action, wife and family went into mourning. But the great silence that had engulfed the mnn was broken on Christmas Day. His wife, who has been living as a widow since his supposed death, and his now grown-up family Lad just finished their Chrismtas dinner when a figure appeared at the door. It was Francis Joseph Rutherford. Ho stood in front of the bewildered famliy, but they did not recognise him. Time evidently had brought its changes. He spoke to them, but they regarded him as a stranger, and there was no familiarity in the talk that passed. Turning abruptly, Rutherford walked out of the house.

A few minutes later a stranger pawing bv foand him on the pavement in front "of the gate. Alongside him was a bottle which had contained poison. He was admitted in a dying condition to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. His wife, iinally* recognising him. tol T lowed him to the hospital and sat by him until he died. Thus, Francis Joseph Rutherford passed out of what must have been a strange world to him.

Our London correspondent writes that j at a meeting of the Empire Movement ; Committee, with Lord Meath in the : chair, a resolution, proposed bv Sir God- . frev Lagden. was unanimously passed, j urging the Prime Ministers of_ the | United Kingdom and of 'the Dominions i to advise tne King to appeal to his j peoples in all parts of the British Empire to hold public religious services on | Empire Day, May 24th, and suggesting that it should be recognised as a day or ; thanksgiving. Another resolution *ex- , pressed the opinion that the time had j come for the use of an Imperial Flag . displaying the Union Jack, with_sym- I bols representing the Dominions, Crown ; Colonies, and the Indian Empire, and recommended that such a flag be flown next Empire Day on all churches, chapels, places of worship, and public . throughout the Empire.