MISCELLANEOUS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2050, 24 May 1890, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

Mrs hfophia Laramore, of Waterbury, U.S., has just finished a curious mortuary wreath in memory of her late husband. It is made of the relics of that gentleman and of the wives who preceded her (for it seems that Mr Laramore was strongly addicted to matromy). The frame is of putty, into which, while soft, the widow has put a heterogeneous collection of articles, such as Mr Laramore’s spectacles, his pill bottle, many articles which he had treasured during life, such as a jack knife, a piece of candy, &c., buttons from his old clothing, and a small bottle containing cheese made by his flrsfc wife. Enclosed in the frame is a picture which is surrounded by a device in flowers and leaves, made entirely of pieces of cloth, &c , drawn from the late Mr Laramore’s clothing, and the shirt in which he died is used to compose a fearful and wonderful bird. Hair, watch chains, and teeth go to make up the rest of this most strange and tasteful thing in wreaths. A modern ifack Sheppard.—A m an named Wittham, who is changed with attempting to murder two constables, has written a letter to his wife of a kind which wifi make the hearts of novelists of the school of H arrison Ainsworth leap with pleasure. A more remarkable criminal has not recently appeared in the English Police Courts. Ife is apparently aa resourceful and tender-hearted in some respects as he can be coldblooded and desperate in other circumstances While being conveyed to Holloway Gaol recently he made an attempt to escape from tfye yn n by sawing through a panel vfith a piece of notched steel, which must have been passed to him while standing in the dock. His scheme was frustrated by the yau arrlying tk o prison a little earlier than he expected. In his letter to his wife he tells how he has worked at the ventilator in his cell all the week, how it is quite ready, the removal qf tvyo fittle'bita of brick alone being necessary to complete his preparations for escape. He ‘‘jumped about ” in his joy, and broke a window, which resulted in his removal to another cell. He discusses the best method of getting away in the coolest manner, and suggests that when he is being moved in the prjson van a friend might ;jump op tq vehicle, aqd let off au air pistol at the policeman in charge, or the sergeant might be drugged before they start. “ I could do it myself,” he remarks laconically, though how he would do it he does not say. He changes bis tone after speaks the npost affectionate manner of “dear little Nelly presumably his child—aud hopes he and his wife may get away out of the pouutpy and “ Ijye happily and peapeable all their liyes.” Ere this consummation can be realised Mr Whittam will no doubt be afforded ample leisure for devising still further schemes for eluding the vigilance of the prison officials,