CUPID IN COURT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 258, 24 October 1908, Page 4

CUPID IN COURT

IXQIIKST OX A BROKEN IIJSAKT. WHAT TllJi COliOXliH SA11). The story of young man's folly was unfolded at the Magistrate's Court at Cliri-stfljureh the other day, when James 'Milne* was charged before Mr. H. \V. Bishop, with having attempted suicide at Waddington. Constable Dillon, who brought amused to Christelurch, said he was a native of Yorkshire, and had been working at Wiuldmgtoii for some time, lie attended a wedding, and on the day following that event he called on some friends] and told a young fellow he would like to shoot himself. Uiter, „ report of a gun was heard. On making a search, they fuonil accused lying in the backyard shot in the left arm. Millies remarked thai it was only a scratch, and lidded tliut he wished it had been worse. ihe .Magistrate then read the follow- j ing letter which Millies had sent to his sweetheart:

I Unt'ling Alice.-1 have heard who l,\oui allections art' centred upon, and alihough you have broken mv heart. I forgive. Do not worry about this, but >e. a.-, I believe vnu always have been, a perfect woman 'in every sense. IVav for Hie if you think I' am worth it. t.o.t bless you, illy -love, and flimrd von Inun all harm to your life's rjul. Still' 1 your-. though broken-hearted to the last degree. Pity ami forg'jve inc. lorn* through eternitv. .fim " The Magistrate: What did you do it

Accused: I , Vl ,s depressed. Jill! Magistrate: Vim are s ,j|] v young donkey to iitteuipt to commit MllCllle ovor If),.] ( | o( . s ]|tot wunt J"", •lust us ]| (here were not' ptcnv <>other {.1,1s in New X.•aland. Ilow old arc you? Accused: Twenty-one.

(•unstable Dillon' said' accused wa- it very respectable young man. 'II,. ivas lite sun of a parson. n "' Magistrate: I do not know that ls I'etter for that.

11l r..|ilv to u question, the accused siud he wanted Hi shoot himself The Magistrate: What good would (•tat do anybody? If yon intended to Shoot yourself you made a mighty lad ,h»l» ol H. The accused said lie felt miserable, and that was what led him to attcimit 10 take his life. Tlic -Magistralc: Miserable? Yon ought to have taken a dose of safits. -Mler further i|Ucshioniiig. the. Magistrate said thai if accused intended lo take his life he nid a very wrong idling; indeed, a tiling which was absolutely iiidel'.-nsible. T.ic law regarded, it as 11 very seriou- oUcnce. and 'if lie tli»ii"ht the accused intended lo do himself any "crious harm lie would plan* ,']iiu iii gaol lor six months, and cniKsoifucntly accused would have six months more til lm '- He lllie magistral.') did m>l lliink that aecus.'d wauled lo- take his life: he was going to placo htm in (he rilau Home for a' week, iu ord.•!' I" s'-e how he behaved himself. Millies was laler taken lo the Naanaiitan !lonic,