HOME SWEET HOME.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3726, 3 February 1891, Page 2

HOME SWEET HOME.

Domestic Troubles.

!. -__J&Preferred SaolOn Saturday last a dejecteil-loolong individual named William Harrison, who has exceeded the prescribed " three score years and ten " by about four summers, presented himself at the Masterton police station and sought shelter and relief. On being questioned as to his circumstances a story of a most painful character was unfolded. Harrison, it appears, hails from Pahiatua, where he has lived with his wife for several years at the house of his son in law. According to the account given by himself, the poor old fellow was not much fitted for work. Ho endeavored to earn his food by doing " odd jobs" about the place, but latterly he became so weak and infirm that he felt he was a burden to his friends. On Friday last he went to the dairy to skim some milk, and was requested by his wife to preserve a litte for her use. This he neglected to do, with the result that he was subjected to the greatest illtreatment and abuse. His wife, who is some years younger than himself, is a "terror to evildoers." Sick and tired of this continual "hen-pecking," the old man determined to clear out. Accordingly he left home and made his way to Masterton, where, on his arrival, he had not a penny with which to bless himself.

On hearing the circumstances of the case Sergt* Price referred the applicant for relief to the Secretary of the Benevolent Society, who gave him an older for board and lodging for Sunday. On Monday morning, however, Harrison was informed that he would have to return from whence he came. This he absolutely declined to do. " Rather," said he, " than again live on my friends, I will take my life," and suiting the action to the word he produced a suicidal-lcoking razor. As the old man seemed determined not to return to his home, he was arrested by Sergeant Price on a charge of vagrancy.

The accused was brought before Mr M. Caselberg, J.P., yesterday, and as be expressed himself more willing to go to gaol than to again be a victim to the temper of his wife, he was sentenced to one month's hard labor in the Wellington Terrace Gaol.