A CRUEL ALTERNATIVE.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 46, 9 June 1880, Page 2

A CRUEL ALTERNATIVE.

Wife desertion is unfortunately a by-no-means uncommon occurrence m the colonies, but there are but few women who have the moral (perhaps immoral would be the more fitting word) courage to grapple with the evil. A female Moses, has, however, come to light, who is prepared to lead the way for herself and her sisters m misfortune out of the difficulty, and this is how she pro* poses to do it, as announced m the columns of our Sydney contemporary, the Town and Country : — MY husband, JOHN MEGGS, being absent from m c as going on for four years, if he does not send money to me m three weeks, I intend to get married. — KATE MEGGS, This may be a very convenient way of undoing the Gordian Knot, and although the intimation — cruel as it may appear to be — would most likely be the means of keeping the masculine Meggs away sufficient time to allow the threatened alternative to eventuate, I am very much afraid an unsympathetic Legislature would not allow the fair Meggs to throw off her old and assume fresh marital relations so easily. I should imagine the probability will greatly depend upon the cause which necessitated the exit of the absent one, whether he nuts m an appearance before it is too late. Judging, however, from the bold and defiant spirit breathing throughout every line of tbe advertisement, I should be led to believe that John wilj allow the sweets to pass away from him. for ever, before coming forth from his seclusion. I wonder if this lady, who seems so anxious to run m double harness, is aware that there is something beyond the nonappearance of the erring one, and the willingness of his successor ta her. hand, to consummate her happinness. 1" remember a little episode, which probably if known, to her would be calculated to. damp her ardor. A double couple who lived m a small town became particularly, not particularly, and qusdruply intimate. Mrs. Buffer took a great liking to Mr. Duffer, and the female Duffer doa ted on the masculine Buffer. A bargain was; struck, and they all severally mutually, and collectively agreed to change husbands and wives. However, they were a moral quartette, and the. qualms, of conscience must be satisfied, so they fo.und an obliging parson .who officiated on the occasion. Unfortunately however, as. the exchanged, couples were, leaving the church with visions of future happiness floating before their eyes, they found' themselves confronted by the guardians of the law on the {charge, of bigamy, and the honeymoon of the unhappy four was spent m prison. I do hot know whether the fair Meggs ever heard that story, I do not know whether

the fair Meggs maj read those lines, but should she, let her take warning, for the inside of a gaol is" not the: most pleasing place m whioh to spend the honeymoon.