SERVANTGALISM.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 545, 21 August 1869, Page 2

SERVANTGALISM.

A new pbase of servantgalism has been developed at the Cape of G-ood Hope. The story is thus related by the Cape Argus : —" Two young servant girls, both, we should say under eighteen years of age, lived in the service of two farmers in Waggonmaker's Valley. These young ladies occasionally met for congenial conversation, and on one of these occasions servant girl No. 1 related to No. 2 how her mistress had given her two slaps. No. 2 proposed that No. 1 should set her mistress' house on firo as a measure of retribution, promising to do the same to her own mistres3 in reprisal for sundry little private grievances. They then separated; and after meeting once more to confirm each other's resolution, No. 1 proceeded to set her master's house on fire, and did it effectually. No. 2 was there to enjoy the blaze, and, according to the theory of the prosecution, went quickly home, and likewise set fire to her master's house. At all

events, a column of smoke was seen rising from the; spot, and a fire was kindled, which was fortunately extinguished before much damage was done. Time rolled on, and No. I was smitten in her conscience, and unburdened the whole story to her mistress. No. 2 was accordingly charged with arson, and No. 1 was admitted as Queen's evidence. Unfortunately there was no substantia! corroboration of the witness's story, and the accused was acquitted, with a jndicioua warning from the judge. The precocity of the ' approver' in giving evidence, and of the prisoner in cross-examination, were as striking as the incident itself. There will be no difficulty now in accounting for the fires which bring periodical alarm in various parts of the country during the dry season."