The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-12-01
GUsTAvE AUBRE.
A New York Lawyers Divorce.

Why Name ,oas CAanged-.A Sons Con-
tempt for his Professionalism Hypoc-
racy-.A Romance from the Law Books.
A few days ago Lucius Bulkley, sixteen
years of age, appeared before Judge Stanley,
Of the County Court, on application to have
his name changed to that of Francis Ward
Redheld. The young man, as stated, gave as
his reason for wishing to change his name
that his father had not contributed to his SUP
port for many years, and that therefore. he
desired to assume the family name of his
mother. Why the applicant had so bitter an
antipathy towards his fathers name did not
appear, and it seemed somewhat singular that
he should make such an application for SO
(seemingly) trivial a cause. !" Thereon hangs
tale"
May II, 1852, witnessed the marriage of
l.. b. Buckley with Miss Frances W. Red6eld,
beautiful and accomplished young lady
Buckley was young lawyer. of fine personal
appearance, who prided himself, as he has
ever slnce done, on the irresistible powers of
fascination which he possessed over the fair
sex. He opened an Office for the practice of
law in the city Of New York, and lived hap
PLY with his wife for over four years during
which time son was bern, whom they nam
ed after his father The fond wife loved her
husband with devotion amounting almost TO
worship, and never dreamed that he was tir-
Ing OF her whom he had sworn to love and pro-
tect. But such was the case, and the unfaith
ful spouse bethought himself of how he could
become legally free from his irksome matri-
monial chains. No stain could he discover
on the character Of his loving wife No rea
son why divorce should be granted could be
conjured which he could for a moment sus-
tain in court of law, ifopposed by her whom
he had sworn to love. At last he Matched
scheme unparalleled for its diabolical shrewd-
ness.
According to the practice ofthe New York
courts of law, the plaintiffs attorney in a
proceeding makes service of summons, upon
return of which, duly verified by oath, subse
quent proceedings are had. Buckley persna
ded his wife that she needed voyage for the
benefit Of her health. Her mother was resi-
ding in Sacramento Cal, and she joyfully ac
copied per mission to visit her. On the 9Th
day of October, 1856, he accompanied her on
board the steamship Illinois about to sail for
California, and renamed with her conversing
affectionately until the bell rang for all but
passengers to leave. He then, with unparal-
leIed hypocrisy, his eyes gistening with croc
odlle tears. embraced her aud kissed her fare
we'll The loving wife was quite overcome
by the pain Of parting, systematically he tore
himself away from her embrace, aud handed
her tin box, which he said contained pres
ent for her mother. He charged her to be
careful Of it and to deliver it safely She re-.
celved it with pleasure, 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 loved
but unworthy husband faded in the distance.
She then sought her state room, and soon
her woman's curiosity urged her to see what
welcome present the tin box contained for her
dear mother She tore off the sealed cover
ing, but instead Of her token Of love which
she had been led to look for, the box contain
ed summons notifying her to defend suit
for divorce within twenty days. Here she
was on board ship, hundred miles from
home. friendless, comfortless, with no possible
way of return. For the first time in her life
did she suspect that her husband did not love
her. She could not realize the terrible situa-
ton
She showed the paper to an acquaintance,
whose reply only added to the poignancy of
her grief It was, alas too true Her hus
band, whom she loved loved another, wished
to be legally free from her, and had taken
this undermined and cowardlv manner Of
obtaining his freedom. Before she could re-
turn to New York he would have attained
his object. She sank under this overwhelm
ing blow, and was obliged to take her bed
Her misfortune raised up for her quick
friends and ready sympathisers. When the
vessel arrived at Aspinwall she strongly de
sired to return to New York, but so weak was
she that her friends would not allow it. She
could not return within the necessary time
her ticket was paid throush to San Francisco
SO there was no other alternative but for her
to proceed. She arrived in Sacramento, and
poured a tale of woe into her mothers ear
| by whose advice she returned to New York
| in January, 1857.
She sought out her husband who kindly
furnished her with 2 copy Of the decree o.