Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-30
WHAT'S IN A NAME.
History of Deceit and Hypocrisy
Romance from the Law Books.

~ hOIttNntt ttt AttN HhVO6Hs
A few days ago young man named
Lucus Bulkley, sixteen years of age, ap-
peared before Judge Stanley, of the
County Court at San Francisco, on ap
pIication to have his name changed tC
that of Francis Ward Redfield. The
young man gave as his reason for wish
ing to change his name that his father
had not contributed to his support fol
many years, and that therefore he de
sired to assume the family name of his
mother. But why the applicant had sc
bitter an antipathy toward his father
name did not appear, and it seemed
somewhat singular that he should make
such application for so (seemingly) trivial
cause. But thereon hangs a tale"
That which follows is an "o'er true
tale, as the doubling reader can satisfy
himself by referring to the sixth volume
of "Abbott's New York Practice Re
ports, from which this narrative is con-
densed
MAY II, 1852, witnessed the marriage
of l.. f. Bulkley with Miss Frances W.
Redfeld, beautiful and accomplished
young lady. Bulkley was young law
yer of fine personal appearance, who
prided himself, as he has ever since
done, on the irresistible powers of fascin-
alton which he possessed over the fair
sex. He opened an office for the prac-
tice of law in the city of New York, and
lived happily with his wife for over four
wears, during which time a son was born,
whom they named after his father. The
fond wife loved her husband with deyo-
ton amounting almost to worship, and
never dreamed that he was firing of her
whom he had sworn to love and protect.
But such was the case, and the un-
faithful spouse bethought himself of how
he could become legally free from his
irksome matrimonial claims. No stain
could he discover on the character of
his loving wife. No reason why di-
vorce should be granted conld he con-
lure up which he could for a moment
sustain in court of law, if opposed by
her whom he had sworn to love. At last
he hacked up scheme unparalleled for
its diabolieal shrewdness.
According to the practice of the New
York courts of law, the plaintiffs attor-
ney, in legal proceeding, makes service
of summons, upon return OF which, duly
verified by oath, subsequent proceedings
are had. Bulkley persuaded his wife
that she needed an ocean voyage for the
benefit of her health Her mother was
residing in Sacramento, California, and
she joyfully accepted permission to visit
her. On the 9th dag Of October, 1886,
he accompanied her on board the steam
ship Illinois, about to sail for California,
and remained with her, conversing affec-
tieaately until the bell rang for all but
passengers TO leave.
He then, With unparalleled hypocri-
sy, his eyes glistening with crocodile
tears, embraced her and kissed har fare
we'll. The loving wife was quite over
come by the pain of parting. Spasmod-
ically he tore himself from her embrace,
and handed her a tin-box, which he said
contained present for her mother. he
charged her TO be careful Of it aud de-
liver it safely. She received it with
Measure, as an additional proof Of his
affection. As he left the boat she
sought the deck and remained there,
waving her handkerchief until the form
Of her ioyed but unworthy husband
faded in the distance.
She then sought hRF stateroom, and
soon her womans curiosity urged her to
see what welcome present the tan tox
contained for her dear mother. She tore
of the sealed covering, but instead OF
the token Of love which she had been led
10 look for, the box contained a Summons
notifying her to defend q suit for divorce
within twenty days. Here she was, on
board ship. hundred miles from home,
friendless, comfortless, with no possible
way to return. For the first time in her
life did she suspect that her husband did
not love her. She could not realize the
terrible situation. She showed the paper
to an acquaintance. whose reply only
added TO the poignancy Of her grief. 1t
was. alasi too true. Her husband, whom
she loved, loved another, wished TO be
legally free from her, and had taken this
underhand and cowardly manner Of OBJ
tanning his freedom.
Before she could return 10 New York
he would have attained his object She
sunk under this oyerpowering blow, and