EIGHTH WEDS 18

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 11

EIGHTH WEDS 18

THE SEQUEL TO AN AMAZING MARRIAGE BARGAIN. YOUNG WIFE’S FRIEND. LONDON, December 15. The marriage of an old man of over eighty years with a girl of eighteen, under circumstances possibly unprecedented in the history of queer weddings, had its sequel at Luton Police Court, when Violet Bowler, aged twenty-one, applied against her husband, Frederick Bowler, aged eightysix, of Astley Heat, for a separation order. Tho story of this union of May and December, as related by the complainant's solicitor, revealed some details that are almost incredible. The complainant had been in tho defendant's employment during the life of his former wife, and was at that time engaged to a young man, named Joseph Griffin. When the first Mrs Bowler died, the girl was eighteen.years of age, and was about to become a mother. Her marriage with Griffin, t who was about her own age, was arranged and about to take place, when Bowler, the defendant, interfered. He had an interview with the girl and her lover, and made them an astounding proposition.. It was that ho should marry the girl instead of Griffin, and he undertook not to interfere with their friendship in any way so long as she remained a true wife to him. These terms were accepted by the lovers, and the bargain was struck. The proposal was made on a Saturday, and tho wedding took place on the following Wednesday at Ampthill. The witnesses were Mrs Griffin, the young man’s mother, and his brother. That was two years ago, and for a time the extraordinary bargain was carried out. Griffin even went to stay as a visitor at the house of the Bowler’s with tho husband’s consent and approbation. In the end, however, Mr Bowler became jealous of his wife, and made certain allegations as to her conduct with Griffin, which she denied. Eventually he told her to pack up her traps and go away, which she did. She now sued him for maintenance for herself and the child, which was begotten before the wedding. Tho defendant, it was stated, was a man of independent means, and an owner of house property. The complainant, in her evidence, corroborated her counsel’s statement as to the circumstances of the wedding and the ages of herself and her husband. In a long cross-examination she denied that she had been guilty of misconduct with Griffin or any other man. She admitted that she was at present living in the same house as her brother and Griffin. The defence was that impropriety had taken place. In support, P.C. Green, of Astley Heath, said that on the evening ol September 3rd, at 10.30, ho was called to Mr Bowler’s house. Mr Bowler, taking him to his wife’s bedroom, said there was a man inside with his wife. The door was locked, and the occupant refused to open it. Mr Bowler made the suggestion that he should break in, but to this he declined to accede. Meantime a sound of scuffling could be heard in the room. It was followed by a noise like the opening of a window. He ran out into tho road, and saw a man, whom he identified as Griffin, running away. He was in his with his coat over his arm. Judging from the sound he made while running, witness inferred that his boots were undone. In cross-examination this witness stated that the man he saw running away was fifty or sixty yards distant at the time, but he could swear it was Griffin, whom he knew well The magistrates eventually dismissed the case, and ordered the plaintiff to pay two guineas costs.