CLERICAL COMEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 9 May 1907, Page 4

CLERICAL COMEDY.

Now York, April 1!. ] Now York is vastly amused to-day over a police court episode in whim j an ascetic-looking young clergyman, the t Rev. William Meal's, appeared in the unusual character of prisoner, charged with assaulting a con.-.t:ilile in the e.se- I ctition of his duty. Mr Hears is assistant, rector at H. Matthew's, a fushioii- ] able Protestant Episcopal church in j .West Highty-fmiKih street. 'lie attractetl the attention of a detective late last night entering a he. se in j a low quarter in tin- company of a ne- | gross. A detective followed the couple, | A few minutes later, hearing the clergyman protest that his companion wu.- attempting to rob him, the detective burst into the room. The clergyman imcnidiately took to his heels, raced down-tain, •forced open the front door, and ran into the arms of another detective, whose nose he punched and whose face he disfigured. The assist ahFrcctor, iu fact, gave a magnificent display of pugilist ie 'skill. Finally he was arres.ed ami lodged in a police cell. I He explained to the Magistrate today .that he was engaged in a pulpit campaign against the depravity of New Wk. lln his anxiety to gain fresh material for his sermons he decided to study the 'problems in question at tirst hand. I While engaged in the work of re eareh. however, the conviction came over him 'that he was in a den of murderers. lie s.iw a panel ill the wall moved aside and the 'face of a negro appear. A moment later the. detective burst in. Convinced that he was a criminal, the clergyman struck him and fled from the house. His exit, however, was haired by another man, the second detective, whom he likewise took to be a robber. "1 couldn't imagine," the clergyman simply explained, "that any policeman would respond to my ery for help so soon, so 1 defended myself." The magistrate gave full credence to Mr Hears' assurance that it was his intention to report them forthwith to the police. In this conviction he granted honorable acquittal to the young clergyman whose sociological zeal developed so curious a comedy of errors. Mr Mears marched out of court accompanied by his young and attractive wife, who, it is understood, is deeply interested in the work of social reform.