GIRL A PRISONER.

NZ Truth, Issue 88, 23 February 1907, Page 7

GIRL A PRISONER.

A Startling Tale Of an Irish Sect.

A. strange stOry comes froni Belfast. A young Englishwoman, possessed of means, has been ' induced to leave her home m Suffolk and go to Belfast,, where she is now not only acting as servant m the house of a member of" the Cooheyite sect, but is actually to all intents and purposes a prisoner m thp establishment. ... . . A year or two ago the new' 1 sect of the Gooneyites was started m the county of Fermanagh. Among their chief tenets of belief are baptism by immersion, aiid a feturn to the apostolic methods of having all things m common. Some time ago they ■CONDUCTED A MISSION m the cOunty of Suffolk, and among others who attended the meeting? was the daughter of a well-to-do farmer^ who has a considerable sum of .money m. her own right, and hks expectations of, more. She became a convert to the sect, and left ; her lather's house. . .The old man was almost distracted, and spared no^ expense to discover the; whereabouts of his daughter. Eventually he traced her to Belfast, and proceeded there with the object i of taking her home. She had been placed m the hou9e of a leading member -bf the sect, m the' northern district, amd so closely guarded was sbe that a/t first it was impossible for the girl's father to obtain an in-, terview "with her. He -. APPEALED TO THE POLICE, and to some of the local magistrates, but, the girl being over age, they- were powerless to help him m the ; matter. • A. private detective was ehiployed, but when this man presented himself at the house he was ordered outside by the owner. A young woman employed intone of the ntewspaper offices. Was mdffe successful,' and she obtained admission to, the house. What was her v surprise to find the door opened by the girl herself , dressed ih servant's costume. The yOuhg lady visitor entered into conversation with her, and while attempting to PERSUADE HER TQ RETURN home to her parents' house, the girl expressed her wi.lingness to do so, but stated she was m terror of the' people with whom she is at present residing, and dare not move, so great : was the power over her. In the middle bf .the conversation the tenant of the house, Who had evidently had his ear to the keyhole outside, burst into the room, and. abruptly terminated the interview*.