Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-23
All about a Piano.

From the Buffalo Express.l
Men have frequently found themselves
in trouble in consequences Of having in
terfered with husband and wife, but it 10
seldom that one gets into the meshes of
the law for refusing to be party to any
such interference. That the latter is
sometimes the case is abundantly estab.
lished by transaction which occurred
this week.
An irate husband has just brought suit
against Mr.. j. r. Blodgett for five hum
dred dollars
An irate wife threatens a similar
action. 1--s-
Mr.. Blodgett, genial gentleman and
skilful musician though be be, is not o
lawyer; fact which, however much it
may rebound to his credit on general
principles, has in this case placed him in
an unpleasant dilemma. 1t appears that
early in the week lady, who may be
called Mrs. Blank, appeared at his store
and requested him to send to her house
for piano, which she wishsd to rent or
SELL He obeyed, and the instrument was
speedily in its present place. Soon after,
Mr.. Blank appeared. He was not in
good humor. During his absence from
home he alleged that his wife had sold
the sewing machine, sent off the piano
which was his-and raised Cain generally
with his household goods. He had tracked
the piano hither, and wanted it boxed up
and sent to Ohio.
Blodgeit, in doubt, asked for proof that
the instrument belonged to Mr.. and not
Mrs. Blank After some difficulty, q bill
of sale from neighboring dealer salts
fed him that the title to the property lay
in the husband, and the piano was there
fore boxed and directed to Ohio, but not
shipped.
Mr.. Blank had no more thaa left when
the lady came in. She saw the situation
at a glance, and began to upbraid Blodg-
EFT for his conduct. Nothing would sat-
isfy her, and she departed in rage,
only to retarn again Immediately with
lawyer.
The husband, who appeared to be well
acquainted with his wifO, had suspected
that something of the kind would hap
pen, and soon after put in an appear.
ance, also accompanied by q lawyer.
The meeting is described as amusing.
Blodgett alone did not enjoy it.
1t was to him matter Of indifference
to whom the piano belonged. II, how
ever, he delivered it to the wife, the hus-
band would sue him for its value. If he
gave it to the husband. the wife would do
the same IF he refused to decide in the
matter, both would sue. He proposed to
put it on the sidewalk, and let them set
tie it-among themselves.
If you do, says Mr.. Blanks law
yer, "I'll begin suit tonight"
"If you DON'T" says Mrs. Blanks
lawyer, "I'l begin suit to morrow"
"Then what the dickens am to do
with it." asked the maddened Blodgett;
but as neither of the lawyers had been
retained on that side of the case, neither
gave the desired information.
At length an armistice for the night
was agreed upon between the two dis
ciples of Blackstone. Early on the fol-
lowing morning Mr.. Blanks lawyer ap-
peared and notified Blodgett that suit
had been commenced against him for
$500.
Lawyer No. now appeared upon the
scene-Blodgett's lawyer. He listens to
the sorrowfui tale, and smiiingiy re-
spends:
"Oh, that's all right. Probably Mrs.
Blanks lawyer will also bring q suit
against you for $500. Don't you bother
your head about the matter at all. By
the time we three legal gentlemen get
through, there will not be enough left of
the value ofthst piano, to pay for csrting
it away from your store"