PETTY SESSIONS. PENRITH – TUESDAY LAST. (Before J. JAMESON, Esq., REV. J. HYRHAM, GENERAL BROUGHAM, W.HARRISON, Esq., HON. A. ERSKINE; J. THOMPSON, Esq., and J. UNSWORTH, Esq.) ALLEGED ILLEGAL TREATMENT OF A SERVANT. – JOHN ELLIOTT, farmer, of Gamblesby, was summoned by MARY WHITE, of Great Salkeld, for having, on the 17th September last, assaulted her, and been guilty of other misbehaviour, in consequence of which she was obliged to leave her service, and she claimed £10 compensation. MR. E. WESTMORLAND appeared for plaintiff, and MR. T. J. SCOTT for defendant. MR. E. WESTMORLAND having stated the facts which he intended to prove, called the plaintiff, who said she was at present living with her mother at Great Salkeld, who had had this year two sunstrokes, and was in receipt of parish relief. She (complainant) was hired by defendant, who was a farmer, butcher, and statesman, in Penrith market, at Whitsuntide last, until Martimas, for £10 the half-year. On the 17th September her mistress ordered her to go into the garden and take the weeds from under some berry bushes. She did as requested, and her mistress in the afternoon, after an examination told her that the work was not half done. This accusation she remonstrated against, and said all she had allowed to remain was some mint. Her mistress told her the mint was a weed,d and it ought to have been removed. In the evening, whilst in the house going about her work, her mistress ran up against her “by purpose”, and on being asked to be let alone, her mistress seized her round the waist with one hand and with the other tore her bedgown and scratched her arm. When they were quarrelling, her mistress sent her daughter to the stackyard to bring her father came, and without saying a word put her forcibly out of the house. When outside, he told her to get her clothes as fast as possible and go away. At that time she did as she was ordered, but after consulting a policeman in a neighbouring village, she returned and asked her master if she might start work again, and he replies, “No, you may go where you like”. She asked for her wages, and her master replies, “No, I will not pay a farthing until I am forced. Her master then assisted to bring her box remaining there still. From MR. SCOTT’s opening statement and the evidence he produced, it appeared that complainant was a most violent character, and had not only been in three situations the previous half-year, none of which she could retain, but that in July last she was discharged by MR. ELLIOT for habitual misconduct and refusing to obey the head-man or any one about the place. She, however became penitent, and her appeal to be taken back was acceded to. For some time afterwards her conduct was much better, and nothing of a serious character occurred until the day in question, when, on being told the weeding had not been properly done, she flew into a violent passion, called her mistress an old devil, and used other opprobrious epithets, and threatened to smash her master’s daughter's mouth if she dared to say a word. She then seized a stick and aimed a blow at her mistress, who fortunately placed a door between herself and complainant. When MR. ELLIOT arrived upon the scene, he told her that they could not have such conduct there, and she answered “there is not a devil of you can put me out”. Her conduct at times was so violent that she did not appear responsible for her actions, and MRS. ELLIOT and family being afraid to live in the same house with her, MR. ELLIOT told her she must leave, and he would pay her wages up to the time she had served. She said she would have the whole or nothing at all; and then left. After a short consultation, the Bench dismissed the complaint, and ordered MR. ELLIOT to pay the girl her wages up to the time she had served, with the exception of 10s. which were to go towards paying the expenses which he had incurred in defending the action. _______________________________________________________________ ..........Part 2 of PETTY SESSIONS / PENRITH will follow. _______________________________________________________________ barb, ontario, canada.