CLERGYMAN ELOPES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 385, 5 March 1908, Page 4

CLERGYMAN ELOPES.

Leaves His Wile for a Young Girl.

The mystery surrourding the sensational elopement of the Rev. Jeremiah Cooke, formerly rector of St. George’s Church, Hempstead, Long Island, New York, eight months ago, has been cleared up by an interview with the exclergyman. Mr Cooke’s parishioners included some of the most prominent New York millionaires, and he was a great favourite with the members of the famous Meadowbrook Hunt. His elopement with Miss Florelta Whaley, a young girl living in Hempstead, created a great sensation last May. Efforts to trace the couple were unsuccessful, aud Mr Cooke was finally unfrocked by his Bishop. Mr Cooke and his companion were located at San Francisco, where they are living in a flat with their two months old child. Mr Cook has been earning his living as a painter aud decorator. “For ten yaa;s I have kept silent,” said Mr Cooke, after admitting his identity. 11 During the past eight months I have patiently borne all matter of abuse. Let the world judge whether I am us great a scoundrel as people decla:e. Three days after my marriage I discovered I bad made a mistake. The next nine years of my life was terrible. There is no marriage law of God or man which can make lovely the life of an ill-mated pair. I became rector of St. George’s when thirty years ot age. I rose in the world. Honours were mine. I spoke on the same platform as President Roosevelt. Then I fell in love, aud everything else was worthless. On one hand was a loveless life with honour, position, and wealth. On the other was love and poverty. I chose this. I have sinned, but I have suffered. Now I beg the world to let me alone.” Mr Cooke declares that he will marry Miss Whalley as soon as possible.