A STRANGE MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 437, 20 February 1909, Page 11

A STRANGE MEETING.

BENEVOLENT ASYLUM ROMANCE. ' ■A' prosaic trip on''Lake.Wendoui'ee"had: a romantic development for two (of.,the Benevolent. Asylum (says a Mclbourno' paper). The people: at that institution wore having a picnic at the gardens,' : and ■: part of - the > recreation ■ provided for . .them was a trip on the lake. Amongst : those' on, board -was an old lady, aged ,82, : who -had been in the BenevolentAsylum for "seven years, : and an ,old'gentler man;, aged. 76, whose residence in: the institution''was, a';'few; v mbnth's/le'ssi;'''.iWhileV ! they--were-.walking about .the : steamer's ideck;.these_. two came :faco to face,.' and, to the astonishment ofithe': other. passengers," mutually recognised each. 1 other as-man 'and /wife. .-A, pathetic ■ scene, followed, tho; old couple clasped : hands,, and. ' tears; ran downi tioir cheeks,as they,exchanged confidences., ; : inquiry.' ivas ' made,, 'and!:served to show that, the old people were indeed, man and : wife, :their. name.: being Murphy.. ;Mrs." Murphy, had, however, been in -the institution under name, and that .may : in some degree have accounted .. for .their relationship not' having been ascertained sooner/ Still, it is 'remarkable that for nearly: seven years they sliould : have beenVunder the;same roof:without-having met each'other.-The old people were both nativds •of Ireland, and became separated here many' years, ago, the old mari haying gone away to look for work; Since then : neither had been able to traoe the other. ■, In their.' earlier days they visited various: parts of. Victoria, • and after v their mutual recognition they began chatting over their .earlier history. ' The. committee" of , the' Institution were last'iriight told of the: incident,, and "they. decided, that, arrangements should be made for the aged couple to. leave the.- big dormitories,, and to spend their last years together.' It was stated by the superintendent, Mr. C. C. Shoppeo, that one of the cottages' was vacant, and: it was agreed that this- should be set apart- for. Mr.. and Mrs. Murphy. The recognition caused much interest amongst the inmates during the afternoon,, and the old folk were:congratulated upon having been reunited after so long a separation.