A TRUANT HUSBAND AND A FAITHFUL WIFE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 224, 6 September 1875, Page 4

A TRUANT HUSBAND AND A FAITHFUL WIFE.

We have recently copied from Auckland journals one or two paragraphs regarding a loving wife who, having h#ard that her husband had departed irom> London in the John Bonnie for New Zealand, immediately took a passage in the Somersetshire to Melbourne and proceeded thence to Auckland^ where she was prepared to greet her other half on his arrival. The following detailed description of the interesting meeting was telegraphed ' to a Christchurch paper:— For some time ifi haa been generally known here, that a paaaeoger j by the ship John Renoie would meet a surprise on his arrival. The facts of ' the case are as follows; — A German married a blooming Irish . girl in Melbourne, and, having accumulated money, j took ship to. Ireland; where his wife a friends resided. After a while, be conceived the idea of clearing out, and leaving his wife and child, the latter 18 months old. Accordingly, he informed his better half that business called him away for a week or so, and, without giving the least. hint of his ultimate iutention, crossed over to England, and lost no time in securing a passage by the ship John Beanie, bbuad to ' Auckland. Everything was arranged, aad the ship left London on May 12,hayiog on board the truant, who thus took French leave ot those belonging to him. The wife waited patiently , with her frtenda for some time ; bat at laat becoming anxious she made her way,, to London, and found that her husband had levanted. She immediately telegraphed to her friends and procured sufficient money to enable her to carry out her plan, which was io sail for Australia by the Somersetshire, and thence take passage to Auckland. She carried out her project, and arrived here by the e.e. Hero on its last trip. Visions of a life of a single blessedness filled the mind of Mynheer, as the John Rennie sped along to the shores of New Zealand, but he had reckoned without his hoet, for the tale of his wife's pursuit reached him on Thursday night when the ship was boarded by the: pilot. For a moment his heart sank, but he remembered the old adage, forewarned is forearmed, determined to make the best of matters, and hit upon his lipe of conduct accordingly. This morning when the vessel rounded the North Head, he kept straining his eyes to discover a woman's form coming off iu a waterman's boat. He had not long to wait, as shortly afterwards he spied a boat manned by two rowers, and a woman with a child sitting in the stern sheets. With many inward misgivings, he yet kept a bold, front, and dragging forth a pocket-handkerchief waved it in the wind as a welcome. No response came from the occupiers of the boat. Nothing daunted he kept signalling until the boat came within speaking distance,- and then in endearing tones he cried out, " Oh! Jenny darling lam so glad to see you." There was no reply, and as the loved ones Beared the ve&aol he. appeared as if he would launch himself into the waves to meet them. The boat soon got alongside, and the wife * and child were speedily on deck. At this moment ba playfully tried to pass his arms round the heroic woman's waist, hut was met with a look, that caused him to desist. Captain Nicholson placed a cabin at the disposal of the united ones, but after a short interview the husband came out uninjured, but it was evident from his appearance 'that he did not again want a lete a tele. Apparently with tbe object of touching the mother's heart, he fondled the child and smothered it with kisses.,. They left the ship in the same boat, but very little passed during the return trip. Oo reaching the wharf a large crowd ssse'oibled to witness their landing, but if any demonstration on the wife's part was expected the assemblage was disappointed, as her pent-up feelings so far found no vent. She, however, marched her captive to her house, and if her husband does not get it pretty hot there, your correspondent ia mistaken in the estimation of her character.