The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-02-13 00:00:00

A FAITHLESS W lie.E.

In the Divorce Division, before Mr. Justice Butt-,
the case of Gabbitas v. Gabbitas and Chico was heard
on Saturday. It was the petition of Mr. John
Gabbitas fora divorce by reason of the adultery of his
wife with Mr. Wm. Chico. Answers were filed denying
the charge, but there was no defence. The petitioner
was a member of the firm of Askin, Gabbitas, and
Natick, scholastic agents, of Sackville-street, Picea-
dily, London. He married the respondent on
October 10, 1878, at Trinity Church, Clapham. They
lived together, at different places, and ultimately at
Wynnstay-gardens, Kensington, there being two
children of the marriage. In August of last year the
petitioner had some conversation with his wife as to
her being out, and as she was leaving the room he
saw a letter sticking out of her pocket. He snatched
it awar, end afterwards read it. It was in his wife's
handar 14, and couched in affectionate terms, being
addressed to the co-respondent at a house
in Harley-street, Cavendish-square. It alluded
to an appointment at some place described
as "S.S." It was as follows :—" My Darling.
In your hurry of leaving you mentioned not the hour
that I could see you on Wednesday. I will he at
S.S. at five o'clock. You come when it's convenient.
I trust you will enjoy yourself at Folkestone. I
somehow fancy they are personal friends, so all will
be well. Poor little me lam out in the cold. With
fond love, yours most affectionately, ADA. P.S.—I
am sorry I bothered you to , meet roe. I will re-
member what to do another time. I hope you spent
a pleasant evening. I would have given anything to
have passed it with you." Mr. Gabbitas afterwards
spoke to his wife on the subject, and a deed of sepa-
ration was talked about. It was found that "S. S."
referred to some apartments in Sloane-square which
Mil. Chico had taken for the respondent, and where
they had passed the night when the petitioner was
away. Mr. Robert
.Gabbitas, the petitioner, rave evi-
dence as to the circumstances of his married life.
After a time he noticed a change in his wife s manner
towards him. On one occasion she was very much
agitated and in tears. In regard to the letter which
he snatched from her pocket, she said it was written
to make him jealous, and that such a man as Chico
did not exist. He took a cab to Harley-street, and
ascertained that the co-respondent, who was a
Spanish-American, had apartments at a house in that
street. When he returned to the house he found
that his wife had left. He afterwards ascertained
that at the house of one of her friends there were
between 70 and 80 letters addressed to her from Mr.
Chico. They commenced "My darling," and ended
"Fondly yours, Willie." At an interview with her
stepfather, Captain Gillis, she admitted the intimacy
which had existed. She wished witness to take her
back, and he consented if she gave up the co-respon-
dent, but she refused. It was proposed that a deed
of separation should be drawn up, but as it contained
a chastity clause she refused to sign f it. Maria How-
lett, servant at a house in Royal-avenue, Sloane-
square, gave evidence as to the respondent and co-
respondent having stayed there. His lordship granted
a decree nisi, with costs.

Irate editor: "You dare to come to me with such
trash as this, sir! I have never read such wretched
verse in my life." Scared poet: " I—l—wasn't able
to judge, maybe. Authors are sometimes too—too--
sanguine. Still, you must not forget that I have a
license." "A license! What do you mean, sir? A
license to write such stuff as this ?" "Yes, sir."
"Why. what kind of a license?" "Poetic license."