The New York herald., 1871-01-22
MATRIMONIAL MYSTERIES.
A Woman Of Seventy Seeking . Divorce from
Q Husband Of Seventy -Fivs-Ths Old Story
That age VIII Tell" strihngly Exsm-
Financial Exhibit Exraordi-
nary and How tho Money Goes

Some sin0ularly curious phases OF life are de-
veloped in the courts. Under the impulse or excited
passions secrets that long and securely slept In
households dragged to light and IN the gratinca
ton OF personal malice tho odum OF public scandal
IS rutnessly dened. case In striking exempnnca-
tion OF this fact was developed yesterday before
Judge Barbour OF the Superior Court Mr.. David p.
Halstead and Jane F. Halstead. his wife, are
sEPTUAGBNARKANs SEEKING A DIVORCE
which event OF itself even in this age OF ul.
tifarious matrimonial infecities and frequency OF
divorce suits decidedly out OF the usual course OF
courts. The matter came up ON an applca-
rion for increase OF alimony. Or course the
opposing lawyers had an opportunity to spread
themselves in the matter Of contradictory alega-
tions, and did so. 1t was contended the part OF
Mrs. Halstead, who Is the plaintiff In this action,
the suit for divorce being brought the ground Of
alleged adultery, thar the allowance granted her
insufficient for her support This allowance, 1t ap-
pears, was house rent free and $50 year. II was
distinctly set forth that she Is seventy years
age and has nothing to depend upon for her support
but this
NEAGER ALLOWANCE.
1t was further averrsd that her husband Is the
owner OF considerable real estate in this city,
In Hoboken ana in westchester county, and that
his income amounts to several thousand dollars
year. Some OF his property, among which is cited
No. 100 Thompson street. he Is said have recently
conveyed to son for no consideration. Upon this
state Of alleged facts the Judge was urgently
pressed to order increased amony, and the
zeal and earnestness with which Mrs. Hal.
stead's lawyer urged this order evlnced an
enthusiastic fidelity toward his client that cannot be
weas the crowd OF listeners in the court rOOm were
deeply moved by The cogency and urgency Of his
closing appeal Is only to say that they are human.
But this was not all. Then followed BY the other
lawyer the inevitable
OTHER SIDE or THE STORY.
which inevitable side, unfortunately. attaches
always 70 the process OF evolving facts before
judge on a bench. This other side Of the s.ory
and lands, but that they are hedged about with
such weighty burden OF taxes, with such accumu-
lated expenses for repairs and such pefversity OF
tenants In avoiding payment OF their rents. that
Sc, 200 is the gross amount OF his present income,
and which, by a simple process OF substracton Of
these drawbacks, makes 81, 800 his net income. In
fact ne was financially set forth as q poor man-a
poorer man than one OF his seventyive years Of
life ought to be- But this did not end the financial
recital. His wife, he claimed. has $6,0O0 her mar
riage settlement. Instead OF her attempting to get
able to contribute to his support. Next came
COUNTER ALLEGATION OF ADULTERY
the part Of MS wife and the further allegation Of
her having an illegitimate son. the fruit OF their
against his wife there ensued two most astounding
statements on his own part as bar to increasing
the allmony asked for. First OF these was that he
had -sSs->.,ys-., s-es .i.-.-
CHILD our OF rHi REGULAR ORDER
to support, anc the Sec0nd-even worse than this
that woman and tive other OF his CHILDREN depended
on him for maintenance. Putting all these lacts to-
gether the old mans lawyer made the strongest pos
Il wnl take the papers," said the Judge, and re-
serving his decision.