The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-15
The Case of MIR. and Mrs. Pichard.

A Frenohman residing In Florida asks
our counsel in matter which concerns his
conjugal peace and happiness. Difficulties
between husbands and wives are frequently
referred to us for settlement, but we refuse,
as a rule to take any part ia trying to COM
pose these matrimonial jars, which are
usually best stilled without the interior
ence Of third parties, however we'll disposed
these may DO. In the case OF our aggrieved
French friend, however, we may give re-
plies to his questions which will help to
calm his rufiled spirits and assist him In 80
proceeding as to restore the unity Of his
home. He thus states the matter:
Sra married two years and half ago, and SINCE that
time certain Mrs. - Of this town wished to have my
wife servant was anf totally opposed to It,
and this lady seeing that she could obtain her point
induced my wife leave She started the 3ist OF last
January when went to see II my wife was at Mrs
IS house Mrs - answered me- ~ wished to have
your wife to help servant but you have married
her and you wish TO keep her for you alone So give
her the advice TO run out (scl Of you
Question l. Can bring any action against Mrs -
Question p have written TO my wife TO back.
nshe returns what can do to stop Mrs - to mpt
the mischief againf
lam, MI the Rcdacteur. yours respectfully.
+. PicHARD
l am 50 years old.
We sympathize with Mr. PIcHARD in his
peculiar trouble II is hard for a husband
to be forced to give up the society and aid
OF his wife, and TO dwell in loneliness, while
she Is ministering to the comfort Of mis-
tress. Are we TO infer from his letter that
he is not only anxious but also able TO main
tain his wife in his own household and has
given her no good reason for leaving him
II such Is the case, Mrs. PICHARD's conduct
is open TO blame; but he will at once see that
we should need TO hear her version OF the
case before attempting to fix the right and
wrong of It.
As to his legal rights in the matter they
can be easily explained. He has no ground
OF action against Mrs. -- for keeping Mrs.
PICHARD in her service. IL sho held his wife
a prisoner without her consent OF course
the case would be different but We infer that
Mrs. PIcHARD remains with her OF her own
free will, perhaps from attachment TO her
mistress, perhaps from the desire OF getting
tho wages she receives. or perhaps for both
reasons. She may also dislike the society
Of her husband, and it is manifest she does
not banker after 1t, for II she chooses she
can go TO him at any time. No man can
force his wife to live with him by legal
process. He may, however, refuse 10 sup
port her II she abandons him without cause
II Mrs. PIcHARD obeys tho wishes OF her
husband and returns TO her home, can he
prevent Mrs. - from offering her induce
ments to enter her service again2 He can
only do 1t by forcibly stopping all communi-
cations between tho two, Mrs. - has
right to offer her wages and TO hold the old
place open for her, and Mrs. PIcHARD can
go back to it II she chooses. And what hap
pness could there be In his home II he re-
tanned his wife there against her will Her
own sense OF duty should chain her tn it,
not his threats and reproaches which would
be more likely to drive her away than keep
her by his side.
No, Mr.. PIcHARD II your wife returns so
conduct yourself and so order your house
hold that offers Of service elsewhere will not
tempt her If, however, not even your kind
ness avals to satisfy her with her home,
and she insists upon going out as n servant,
let her depart. and get along as best you
can without her.
But we little doubt that II you and Mrs
PICHARD meet and talk the matter over
calmly, you will come to an agreement
Consider, also. whether there is not some
fault on your side.