CLERGYMAN’S ELOPEMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9079, 20 February 1908, Page 2

CLERGYMAN’S ELOPEMENT.

Eight months ago the Rev. Jeremiah Oooke, rector of St. George’s Church, Hempstead, Long Island, Hew York, a place of worship numbering several millionaires among its congregation, disappeared. With him went Miss Floretta Wballey, a young girl who lived in Hempstead, and all efforts to trace the conple failed. Shortly after his disappearance Mr Oooke was unfrocked by his bishop. A few days ago Mr Cooke and his companion were located at San Francisco, where they are living in a flat with their two-months old child. Mr Oooke has been eafnhing his living as a painter and decorator. “For ten years I have kept silent,*’ said Mr Oooke. “Daring the past eight months I have patiently home all manner of abuse. Let the world judge whether I am as great a scoundrel as people declare. Three days after my marriage I discovered that I had madp an awful mistake. The "nest nine years of my life were terrible. There is no marriage law of God or man which can make lovely the life of an ill-mated pair. I became rector of St. George’s whan 30 years of age. I rose in the world. Honours were mine. I spoke on the same platform as President Roosevelt. Then I fell in love, and everything else was worthless. On one hand was a loveless life with honour, position, and wealth. On the other was love and poverty. I chose this. I have sinned, hut I have suffered. Now I beg the world to let me alone.’’ Mr Cooke declares that he will marry Miss Wballey as soon as possible.