"LONG LOST BROTHER."

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8836, 12 June 1907, Page 4

"LONG LOST BROTHER."

A professional “long-lost brother” was scut for trial, at Chatham, in ] Kent, after the Court had listened to some curious complaints. The prisoner was Thomas Geddins, who is alleged to have passed under manyother names. . Elizabeth Harvey, a married j woman, stated that prisoner came ito her house in the afternoon. He put his hand out and said, “You know me, don’t you? I am your husband’s brother Charlie, from Toronto. ’ ’ She expressd doubt, but be persisted, and took hold of her arm and walked indoors. Still not satisfied, she took down her brother-in-law’s photograph and compared prisoner with it. She told him he was not much like the picture, and prisoner explained that he had had a bad illness, and had had a passage across the Atlantic. He told her his wife and daughter were following the next day, and were bringing “plenty of things.’ She lent him 2s at his request as he said he could not change American money in Chatham, and provided tea. John Harvey, husband of the last witness, said when he arrived home her found accused enjoying himself, having tea and beer, i (Laughter.) Prisoner put his arms round his neck and commenced crying. Witness pushed him away and said, “If you are not soon out of this, I’ll haul you out.” (Laughter.) “I didn’t know, though,” I added the witness, “that he had had the 35.” (Laughter.) Joseph Saich said he was gardening when prisoner came across to him, and, addressing him by name, claimed to be his brother’s daughter’s husband from Bishop’s Stort» ford. Prisoner told such a plausible story that he took him indoo.s, let him have a wash and brush up, entertained him at lunch, and let him lie down to sleep. He remained at witness’ house atll night, and witness lent him £1 4s 6d. Accused told him that he was mate of a large ship, and his pay ws £4 per week. He lent him other sums, an over coat, pocket-handkerchief, and a mufiler. Prisoner left to meet his skipper on the ship and did not come back. It gave witness quite a turn when he discovered there was no such ship. (Laughter.). Annie Share, who got up from bed to receive prisoner on his arrival just before midnight, said ho represented himself as her long-lost brother Tom, and put his arms round her neck and sobbed bitterly. (Laughter.) She had not eeu her brother for 25 yea-s, and as prisoner knew so much of her history she accepted his story. He said he had £GS 7s 4d to draw from his ship, a and she entertained him and lent him money. She did not find out that he was a fraud for two or three days.