Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-10-19
INTERESTING CASE.
NV NoRk, October 4.

tired yesterday IN the Superior Court, which cx-
cited considerable curiosity aad attention. The
plaintiff was Madame Martineau, a celebrated
French milliner, well known to the fashionable
world; the defendant was Mr.. Ordonneaux, sugar
reGner, ~ellknown for hi. galan, achievements ,u.
ring the late war; and very much esteemed b. all
who know him.
The SUIT says the Transcript, was instituted TO
recover the balance VI an account, amounting 10
upwards Of thousand dollars, for fancy and other
articles furnished in the course Of about four months,
10 Mrs Ordonneaux, Of Leonard street, the wife of
MIR. Ordonneaux, the defendant, we'll known to
the majority OF our citizens AN cnterprising and
wealthy sugar baker, formerly carrying business
in Duane street.
The plaintiffs claim was resisted on the ground
that the defendant had sanctioned the purchases
made by his wife, and that, in consequence of her
III toerable extravaganza, he had separated from
her nearly two years since.
Mcssrs. Burr and Benedict the counsel of Mrs,
Mariineau. insisted that their client ought to be
paid the full amount of his BILL notw outstanding
that the items appeared To be- of sonlewh hat un,,-
sua description and price. Mr.. Ordonncaux had
been regarded by TIL. community as a man of
wealth. and, until very recent period, he had Not
experienced any losses calculated seriously to mar
hi. good fortune, materially TO lessen his ailu-
cncc.
At the period Of his marriage with the lady who
was now his wife, (said tho learned counscD he
received an Immense sum of money portion
with her, and it rg hi therefore, flat she should
be permitted the ordinary expenditures of a per-
III her station Of life and moving in fashion,
able sphere OF socicty.-'rhc articles obtained BY
Mrs. OrdonncanT from the plaintiff were not pur-
hcasc for her exclusive use and benefit, bu,
al.o for the toilet and service of her daughters
, two OF whom, during the indebtedness to Mr. Mar
| l,sinu ct.I ..I
~ respectable individual. in this ci,-and there
fore required additions to their dress and GEN
! eral wardrobe.
or the defence, MIR. GrccnM God said that the
fact of two OF MIR. Ordonneaux's daughters having
allied themselves to respectable gentlemen during
the period that their mother made extensive pur-
cl,ascS Of his client, was no excuse that the latter
should be made to pay for the responsibilities, that
had been incurred by sheer thougltlcs,ness rcck-
lcssness and folly. BY Il train OF severe and un-
loresccn misorluncs, by placing too much DEEPEN
dencc upon the faith, honesty and honor of the
world MIR. Ordonncaus had fallen from his once
high esta,c-irom luxurious wealth and plenty, in
10 comparative poverty and ndigencc. The i'm
Prov'dcncc-and probabl, eddy incxpcrcncc--
OF the lady TO whom he had been united the wife
oi his bosom, and the mother Of his chdrcn-had
led HIM TO the hard task of tearing himself from
her, and domeillng in place separate and distant
from her habaon. Though thus situated he
continued to provide her with all the ncccssarics
OF decent and respectable station, but had neither
sanctioned nor advised the hom ton and cost,
style OF living witch she, together with some other
portions other family, had unfortunately INDUCED
/
The learned counsel proceeded to anma,l,er,
on the several items of the plaintiffs cha,g cs as
altogether inconsistent with the usagcs of plain re-
publican simplicity, and as even exceeding the eA-
| iravagancics OF the most fashionable European
iollies. lie described the prices of pocket hand
kcrchic. at BIS birds ofParadisc at 800; and
OF blonde veil. at lS5,-such articles being enu-
| mcratcd IN Mr.. Martincau's account-;s altoecth-
or unusual in this country, and begged the jury no,
to render verdict which would impose upon Mr.
OrdonncuuS the necessity of liquidating tic de-
nand now made, and thus unrig ncously add To hi,
already great and unmcritcd difficulties"
In reply to those observations, the plaintiff,
counsel stated that among the elite of this city
such articles as had been procured of Mr. Marti-
nean by the defendants wife, were ordinarily used
and that the prices charged for the various goods
were notbcyond the customary cost in other stores
OF a similar description and responsibility.
Several Witnesses were called to show that Mr.
N1art'ncaus charges were not cNtrayagant and al
ter the summing of counsel on both sides, and a
very clear and excellent charge from the learned
After being absent five minutes, they returned
with an award for the plaintiff Of nine hundred and
| hTty- tom dollars and costs of trial
Cases similar TO the above occur frequently in
our city, and many painful sacrifices are made bv
husbands toprcvcnt publicity, by commencing suits
at la" for the recovery of shopping bills 1t is very
much to be lamcntcd, that false and ostcntatious
pr'dc-a desire to make an appearance beyond
what circumstances autlorisc--a silly Iankcrinc
after fashion, and its lmsy cvancsccnt attractions
plunge many families into difficulty and distress ::
families who have abundance for comfort but
nothing for foil v-suiliccnt for the real wants and
dcccncics of life, but without resources for l4u-
ri"s and extravaganza.
There are many anxious, toiling husbands, who
a'e worried all day to keep up their credit, and
raise the necessary means TO support their busi-
ness, but who throw of care when they reach home,
and wear face of smiles. II is the duty of the
prudent wife to make herself acquainted with the
real condition of her husbands affairs, and never
permit herself, even with his consent, to cxpcnd
more money for dress and fashion, than he can at.
ford to allow. The difficulty is frequently with
tho husband, who conccals his true circumstances
from his wife, instead of making her a conidaut
in his affairs, AS she is in his affection Star,
Some of the articles in this bill were read in
the court, and occasioncd much mirth Here arc
few Of the items
Two figured linen handkerchief, al2 90
Paatuc, bcautifed with swan fur 20 90