A PRETTY PRESENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 598, 3 October 1873, Page 3

A PRETTY PRESENT.

There is nothing which women appreciate more than unexpected little presents from the i- husbands or lovers, selected and bestowed with that tact which is the offspring of true tenderness. Sometimes, however, the utmost care on the part of the giver fails to give satisfaction, and woman, “ uncertain, coy, and hard to please,” receives coldly the tribute of affection and in a very different spirit from that in which it is laid at her feet. From a case which came before the High Court, Edinburgh, it seems that a certain Mr David Macrca, a contractor at Tain, lately mot with a disappointment in this lino. Having despatched by railway train a box addressed to his wife, who lives at Sanghtou Hall, near Edinburgh, ho playfully indited a letter purporting to be from that lady's mother, intimating that a box containing wearing anparel would be found by her at the railway station. Mrs. Macrae appears to have been fully mvakc to Her husband.s affectionate ruse, and, suspecting the box was sent by him, obtained the assistance of the railway officials to open it carefully; and, indeed, some carefulness w-s advisable in handling the precious cadeaii, for on being opened, its contents wore found to bo as follows:—One loaded pistol, four pounds and a half of blasting powder, two ounces and a half of gunpowder, and a liberal supply of broken glass. To prevent the possibility of the value of these gifts being over looked in a hurry, the pistol was set at full cock with a can on the nipple, and there was a string fastened to the t'igg r in suoh a manner that whoever attempted to open the lid could scarcely fail to pull the string, and thus, hy firing the pistol, cause the powder to explode. Mr. Macrae would (louhtles.il have given a full explanation of the reasons which prompted him to make this touching display of conjugal affection, but he unfortunately failed to appear to answer to a charge of attempting to murder his wife. 11 is bail-bond was accordingly declared forfeited, and sentence of outlawry was pronounced against him. Although perhaps he may bo not much missed in his domestic circle, it is impossible not to fall a passing regret that, owing to his having berm let out on bail, justice was not allowed the pleasure of further cultivating the acquaintance of this loving husband.—“ Pall Mall Gazette.”