The Bequest of the Biddeiiden Maids.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 424, 30 November 1889, Page 6

The Bequest of the Biddeiiden Maids.

Oxr< of the moBb curious of our old charities is that; of the Biddenden maids. These two unfortunate women (says the* Hospital ')were born at Biddenden, in Kent, in the year 1800, joined to each other at the hips and i shoulders. Their names were Eliza and Mary Chulkhursb, and they lived for thirtyfour years. Then one fell ill and died, and the survivor was advised to be separated from her dead sister by dissection, but she's refused, saying-, 'As we came together, wo will also go together.' Within six hours she was taken ill, and died also. By their ' will they bequeathed to the churchwardens of Biddenden a piece of ground, which now brings in a rental of forty guineas. This is expended in the purchase of 500 quartern loaves, and cheese in propoition, which are distributed among the poor of the parish, and on Easter Sunday 1,000 small rolls, shaped like a grave&tone, and bearing a bas-relief portrait of the unfortunate maids, are distributed to all who attend divine service.

Tramp : " Yer couldn't lemme have an old pairo' bootf, mum, I suppose ?" Old Lady : " Why, my good man, that pair on your feofc is nearly new I" Tramp (gloomily): '•That's the hard part of it, mum. They're ruinin' my business."