, 1877-10-14
CHICAGO
A WsBASD'S STORY.


~ ;nc,dent that would suggest material for
nl,y OF a novel took place in the Quarter ses-
sins Saturday. His Honor Judge kirkpatrick
r,s d;sposin. OF the complaints OF matrons
-hozc husbands had deserted them. So many
sozes of an aggravated character bad been
l,,ueht up that it began to look IS II the man
,;,ci in domestic state was great anu con-
e,;,r,;onsl offender. The sympathics Of the
sn,;ence we're growing in favor Of oppressed
-.,uen. This tendency was heightened bv the
au,rance Of q very pale, spare, benl9n-look1ns
Id, s,narcutly OF culture and refinement,
Hr.'sed n neat, dark fabric. She was accom-
o4nts3 bs sweet young Girl OF about IL. very
tsste:uIiy dressed in the latest fasnaon OF hai'
n1vr ornaments, and also some uark texture,
and little child o1 . or = III lt==n% ALL *aeo
tasteful dress.
Creat was the sympathy for the lady-like
,ot'.rr vh-u she arose and in low voice and
rr6nrl language told how she had heen des:rt-
ed by her husband, how he had tailed to pro
r;oe for her support and that OF her two inter
e.,;nc children An old AMI accomplished
ioursr her counsel, drew her statement with
an effe,t almost dramatic His Honor was al
fect.yl, ANY man with i sympathetlc nature
wau|I be, His Honor called upon the husband
10 stand up, and all eyes turned upon Tue cul-
lie was tail, thin 1rishman, aged, perhaps
n cray-haircd, and with mild. careworn lea
1nres. His boots were too large' his coat h'ahc
abou, him in folds that suggested ne had once
hrrn a stotlter man: he wore no collar: bis SHIRT
At the neck was frared, but cltanlv. nc stooq
before The bar trembling, not with fear but with
sorrow. and q big tear had gathered in his eyc.
aNna: answer have YOU to make 10 TINS
rharre. sra, said the Court, rather scyereIE-
but With some astonshmcnt 1T the appaE1tlot'.
which was different from Whit had been ex-
pected. , ,,., .7oror >,
s,;d ,hc man in low tone. s'1'm but poor
man and have done the best could
s.Your Honor" said counsel for the defend
ant. s.this moor man has been ruined hv the
folly and ex1rayagance OF his vile, who Is no"
here suing him.
THE Court proceeded to investigate uc
found that the rnlld-featured ohl-1nan defend.
ait WIS ouddlcr, though he did not look as
if he had the strength Tor hard labor: thai tie
had accumulated some property and sold II 1o1
$S7O0to meet the demand oi MS cotnraTat,'e
ir fashionable wife and family. that The!
u,oyeu into $40 per month house, and alter
wards one little cheaper, bought marolc-t"t
taI]es. and lived higl until this money wa
sneni allowing the old man meantime to Wor'
oycr the furnace and keeping the luSur!c
neasurably to themselves; that when out
money they rot his wages until he had no
money enough TO ray board where he was iis
ine in Sharpsburg: that he had given them al
be- had; that he could get work sometimes NJ
shout three days i'll the week, but al lie h'ao
they were welcome to-
j universal feeling Of Indignation ran throuG
the courtroom. Even his Honor could not NJ
shariuc it. Said he, turning sharply TO the pro:
eeutor and her tas1lionably- dressed young dauel
4 have ,an no Desne=n IN tns e0es
70 at once. You pushed this poor man lnt'
harGsllps by your cxtrayacance' and now yo
come here in your grapes, and reps. auu you
stylsh clothes to prosecute him because ne IS q
longer allie to main, ain you. This court vi
not assist YOU: And as for you: poor PIN man, l,a
continued his Honor, tive plty rather than pc
seeute you Go-go free-not even the cos
shall you have to pay-'
There was low 1nurmur OF applause tnroug
the court. The lady and her children Wake
cut somewhat abashed: the indicated nuspan
took his hat, and. with THANK yer HONOR
Left nu, triumphant, but still sorrnw1ul.
AND through tho remainder Of the session
was noticed that the tide Of feeling was turne
the other way, and complaining wives hau
undergo a closer ordeal Of crosE-e2amlnatle
than before.