Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-04-09
Divorces In the West.

A correspondent of the Chicago
Advance, in discussing the quesrion of
divorce and it's evil results, claims
that if the ability to again marry was
removed, and disability made per.
manent as to both, there would he
uery few divorces. He adds:
Let US examine for ono moment the
manner in which the law operates. A
Mr.. A. sues for divorce. Mrs. A.
does not appear, default is entered
against her, the case is sworn through
and both parties are turned loose up
on society, with no better reason ex-
listing in many cases than "cold feet"
or desire which is expressed in
Dryden's response to his wife, when
she wished that she was book, 30
that she might enjoy more of his
company; cor be an almanac, that
l can change you every year." The
following case lately came under my
observation A young man married,
and residing in one section Of the
country, removed to another, leaving
his wife behind him. While away, he
proposed to a young lady and was by
her accepted, and the marriage day
announced. He returned to his wife,
spent few weeks with her, and ten
derly bade her adieu, sought the
house Of his expectant bride, and
married her. A few weeks after the
marriage he obtained q divorce from
his absent wife, which, being discov-
cred by tho newly-maae one, was
made the occasion of new marriage
ceremony, after which the now rcpu-
dated husband went TO the home of
his divorced wife, who, ignorant of
his conduct, still lives with him, while
the other sought her redress in a
court Of equity.
l think I hear some lawyers say
that that could have been remediod
by personal service of the notice. A
friend of mine relates the following
instance as illustrative of the frauds
which may be practised in this pre-.
caution, even A poor, ignorant girl
unfortunately married to q scoundrel
was served with notice informing
her that her husband would apply for
divorce for adultery-the word
adultery was "thumbed" in the read
ing. Too ignorant to demand copy
of the notice, or to seek legal conn.,
Sc she asked her husband what it
meant, and rested satisfied with his
assurance that it was nothing dishon-
orable to her anyhow, until he ORDER
her to leave his house. assuring her
that she was no longer his wife. "a
mother, but not wife," means somc-
thing not only to the ruined woman,
but to the divorced one ALSO. Divorce
laws are bid to perjury, and a COLI
stant offer to both parties that they
can marry again at pleasure; but
with deal more Of ''red tape: than
at first. There are not many instan-
ces of divorce in which the plaintiff !
or defendant have not found out that |
they could not marry happier, and |
are only waiting for o decree Of court |
to do 80. A case somewhat notorious
ls reported as sollows: A young
man married a young woman, and af:
ter residing with her sometime con.
cluded that he had made q mistake,
and proposed another marriag. Hav.
ing means, he sent his wife away. on
. visit, and while she, was gone OBJ
saiued divorce. She came back,
1nly to find him tho hsnsband of an
other. OIL what q. trivial causes
Are alleged for the dissolution. of an
ordained by the Almighty i
70 the first important svsut after the
'reationl - Az. II