AMUSINGELOPEMENT SRTORY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4363, 9 March 1893, Page 2

AMUSINGELOPEMENT SRTORY.

A curious and somowhat romantic incident is reported to havo taken place recently in the (Jxbridgo road, between Shepherd's Bush and Acton. A emnrtly dressed young fellow, whose occupation is that of a tailor, alighted from an omnibus plying betwoen Charing Cross and Acton, in company with a closely veiled woman, and entered a publio house, where, after partaking of refreshment he enquired the way to Acton station of the North London Railway. The couplo then left the house, and proceeded along Acton on foot. A few minutes later a chimney sweep, with two companions of the same calling, all of Notting Hill, were seen driving along the road in a light springcartat a rapid pace in the direction of Acton, Upon arriving alongside tho woman and her'protector,' tho three sweeps jumped from the cart, and seizing the young man, one stripped him pf his coat and waistcoat,' while another poured over hie head the contents ol a largo can containing a liquid of an oily nature, while the third, who directed the operations, thfew into his face a quantity of soot which he toojv from a bag in bia cart, The latter completed it by horse whipping the unhappy man, and advising hiin to rehearse the Tenth Commandment without delay. Then, turning to the crowd that began to assemble, he gave his name and informed his hearers that tho young man had robbed him of his wife, though he had been a friend to him, He had directed the woman, who had been crying for "mercy" throughout the operations to 'mount the cart,' and she. having obeyed with alariety the party drove off leaving behind them a howling creature of hideous appearance, who, catohing up his coat and waistcoat from the ground, darted down a by-street into the first open door,which happened lo be where a number of Salvationists were engaged in devotional exercises, The sudden appearence of such a singular looking object naturally caused some sensation, but an explanation haVing been vouchsafed, the' youhgman thus sheltered was allowed time for reflection and for re-arranging;' to some extent, hia toilet.ltcame nut that the youth had prevailed - upon : his landlady to elope with him during the temporary absence of her husband,