The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-10-20
THE HUSBANDS STORY.
How IL Altogether Changed the
Sympathies of Court and Crowd.

Pittsburgh Dispatch.
An incident that would suggest mate
rial for play or novel took place in
the Quarter Sessions Saturday. His
Honor Judge Kirkpatrick WAS disposing
of the complaints of matrons whose hus-
bands had deserted them. So many cases
of an aggravated nature had been
brought up that it began to look rs if the
man-biped in domestic state was great
and constitutional offender. The sym
psthies of The auditors were growing in
favor Of oppressed women. This tenden-
cy was heigh: ened by the entrance OF Il
very pale, spare, benign-looking lady,
apparently OF culture and refinement,
dressed in neat, dark fabric. She was
accompanied by q sweet young girl of
about fifteen, very tastefully dressed in
the latest fashion of hat, onyx ornaments,
and also some dark texture, and a little
child of three or four in u light and also
taste ful dress.
Great was the sympathy for the lady
like mother, when she arose and IN low
voice and refined language told how she
had been deserted by her husband, how
he had tailed to provide tor her support,
or that of her two interesting children.
An old and accomplished lawyer, her
counsel, drew her statement with an eli
feet almost dramatic. HIS Honor was
affected. Any man with a sympathetic
nature would be- His Honor called upon
the husband to stand up, and all eyes
turned upon the culprlt
t,lI Ir,c
perhaps fifty, grsy-hsired and with mild
csreworn features. His boots were too
large; his coat hung about him in folds
that suggested he had once been u
s.outer man; he wore no collar, his shirt
at the neck was frayed, but clearly. He
stood before the bar trembling, not with
fear, but sorrow, nd a big tear gathered
in his eye.
"What answer have you to make to
this charge, sir" said the Court, rather
severely, but with some sstonshment at
the spparition, which was different from
what had been expected.
well, indeed, don't know yer Hon
or" said the man In q low tone. "l'm
but poor man, and have done the best
| could"
"Your Honor" said counsel for the
defendant. "this poor man has been
ruined by the folly and extravaganza
Of his wife, who is now here suing him. ="
The Court proceeded to investigate
He found that that the mild-teatured old
man defendant was puddler, though he
did not look as if he had the strength
Tor hard labor; that he had accumulated
some property and sold 1t for $1,000 to
meet the demands of his comparatively
tashionsbl wife and family; that they
moved into $40 per month house, and
afterwards one little cheaper, bought
marble top tables and lived high until
his money was spent, allowing the old
ma meantime TO work over his furnace
and keeping the luxurles messuresbly to
themselves; that when out OF money they
cot his wages until he had not enough to
pay board where he was living in Sharps
burg; that he had gwen them all he had:
that he could get work sometimes about
three days in week, bat all he made
they were welcome to.
A universal feeling Of Indignation
ran through Tue COURTROOM. hNCH ms
Honor could not help sharing 1t. Said
he, turning sharply to the prosecutor and
her fashiouably dressed young daughter,
"You have no business in this court,
madam. You can go, madsm-you can
- ut ouce You pushed this poor man
into hardships by your extravaganza, and
now you come here in your grapes ana
your reps and your stylish clothes to
prosecute him because he is no longer
able to maintain you. This court will
not assist you. And rs for You poor
man." continued his Honor, 1--WE pity
rather than prosecute you. Coco tree
not even the costs shall you have TO
pay"
There was low murmur of applause
through the court. The lady and her
children walked out somewhat abaShed
the vindicsted husband took his hat, and,
with thank yer Honor" left, not trl-
umphsnt, but still sorrow!ul.
And through the remainder OF the ses
sion it wss noticeable that the tide OF
feeling was turned the other way, and
complaining wives had to undergo a
c.oser ordeal of cross-examInation than
before.