A ROMANTIC TRIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2638, 3 September 1881, Page 2

A ROMANTIC TRIAL.

To the minds of young- ladies about to many the wedding dress unquestionably presents itself as a consideration of the utmost importance ; and *wc can well believe that the prospect of any shortcoming in the material or make of that essential garment is especially calculated (o appal the female soul. Some such dreadful apprehension must have inspired with dreadful resolve the fair young German maiden who was recently arraigned before the District Court of Dortmund for stealing a watch from a youthful handicraftsman of that city. The person she had robbed proved to be her own. affianced lover, who upon discovering his loss, had forthwith notified it to the Dortmund police without the faintest notion that the theft had 'been committed by his betrothed bride. Due investigation resulted in the discovery of the stolen property in a pawnbroker’s shop, where the lady in question had pledged it for a trilling sum. When brought to trial she avowed her guilt with many tears and sobs, alleging that, unable to purchase her wedding dress, and being ashamed to confess her poverty to her future husband, she had purloined his watch with the object of realising a sufficient amount by its hypothecation to equip herself decently for “ the ; happiest moment of her life.” It is pleasant to know that this piteous confession was responded to in a gallant and magnanimous spirit by tbe despoiled bridegroom, who spoke up like a. man in Court, declaring that “the prisoner was and would ever be bis oflly love, and that he would marry her out of baud if (be Judge would consent to set her at liberty.” Without a moment’s delay the tribunal annulled the arraignment, and the generous lover carried off bis liberated larcenist in triumph.