A Reformer.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 179, 20 November 1886, Page 1

A Reformer.

Bench remarked with truth that the assault waa ' a most brutal and disgusting one/ and let Morgan off with a fine of £1 and costs."— " St. Jamea'B Gazette." Bill Mor«»n was a moral man, In faot. " hiB mother's son," A bit ot » philosopher Acd collier rolled in one. He used to read " Repulsive Crimes When by the Press disclosed. And note the absurdly lenient fines The magistrates imposed. Hen who had kicked and beaten wives Almost to death were told Politely "there was some excuse For men if ""ives would scold ;" "While hoys who stole a penny pear Were, by the beak's decision, Condemned to penal servitude And ten years' supervision. This caused his noble blood to boil, And he'gave vent to it, Which made him shunned in public-house And hated in the pit ; But he was a philosopher. And spoke his indignation "Gainst magistrates till he became " A marked man" at the station. At last he said : 'In England men Can do just what they like, And, since they treat their spouses worse Than they would treat a tyke, I'll ltt them see mo as I see Them ; though the task displeases. One must prescribe strong remedies For desperate diseases." He loated the task he'd set himself— He'd ne^er cause a tear Or blush to rise on woman's cheek In anger or in beer. He loved the lady whom he called As pat -name his " old -woman." Though collier and philosopher, Bill Morgan was but human. He put his cause before her and Told her tho cruel laws ; He said : "I*ll sacrifice myeelf And you in Duty's cause. A terrible ex mple wo Will make for men. I'm thinking." She only said : " Bill Morgan, you, I fear, have took to drinking." H« drew her toward him and he klfsed Her on the month and cheek, Then knocked her with his flats into The middle of next week. When she got up he took ber hands And fondled her and kissed ber, Then tried to hit her in the eye, But- as she ducked— he missed her. H« blacked her eyes and split her lip. Then cried like any child ; She bolted underri"eat>i the bed. But, Fobbing " Don't be riled,' Hft seized her hair end drew her out, And round th>* room, balf dyinsr. He bit her ear and nose clean offThen fairly broke down, r.rying. Police and neighbours here rushed in, And seized him there and then ; He hit the sergeant on ihe chest, Before some twenty men Seiznfl hirr and beat hia head, and then, Without more hesitation. Played football with him for a mile Before they retched the station. Before the Beak they brought him up, One mass of woatds and scars ; H« never " pleaded innocent," But smiled behind the bars. A nound they fined him for the wife H^'d eacriflced to bobby ; A^d "let him off" v.ith ten years for The assault upon the Bobby. It broke his heart ; he died to find The wife he loved, and cause. Were sacrificed in vain attempt To m«»nd Old England's laws. And o'er his grave they placed these word* : "If wife and " canee ' you cheriph. Let 'wrongs' and wives die of old ageThus all reformers perish !"