EDE AND EVE.

NZ Truth, Issue 143, 14 March 1908, Page 5

EDE AND EVE.

The Laborer and the "Lydy." When a man finds a couple of girls drinking m & -hotel and asks them to have a nip with him prior to going for a walk, his intentions may be honorable, but it all depehds upon the character of the ladies. In any case be risks something when he voluntarily seeks relations with a female Who doesn't mind having a beer with a stranger.. Benjamin Ede, a laboring young man, had an .experience of this sort, and m view of the old saw, that one has to pay for experience, he w<as lucky to get his vanished cash back again. He dropped' into the Princess Theatre Hotel, Wellington, after the shades of night had fallen, and observed Mary Johnstone and a lady friend at the side bar. He thereupon exchanged courteous greetings with the strangers, and remarked, "Have one with me," or "What's yours ?" or "Give it a name," or something else that conveyed an invitation. Ede, being young, flashed a sovereign, and received a 'half quid amongst his change. Mary picked up the yellow coin m a playful sort of way X and placed it carefully m her pocket. A reasonable time elapsed, but she didn't return it. so the mug, much-agi-tated, sought a policeman. Peeler Phillips taxed Molly with the. theft, which she .denied, with indignation, and THE IMPRESSIONABLE COPPER was obliged to take, her m charge. Bde believed that all lie had to do Was to get his ten bob back, so that he was much disappointed when the cash was temporarily confiscated, and' he was subpoenaed as a witness. This was unpleasant m view of the fact tihat Ede wanted to get away to the King Country next morning, after he had had a walk or something with a girl like Mary. It appears from the remarks of Solicitor Jackson, who appeared for the defence, that Mary only recently came out 'of the Salvarmy v Hell, where she had been m retirement for an* offence attributable to beer. Shikker appeared to be the girl's failing and was responsible for her presence m .the hotel. She had taken the money purely m a joking manner, and she had no intention of keeping it. She was going. out for a stroll with Ede, who' invited the two to have one before departing. It wasn't explained that Mary intended to discuss' astronomy or the dock site while she was having the stroll. Magistrate Riddell held that the young woman must be convicted, but as Ede was somewhat to blame, he would take that into consideration m imposing a fine of 10s, or seven days'. ; ' Sleepy men shouldn't stay at' expensive hotels. The bill will wake them up.