The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-07-13
AN INTERVIEW WITH A WIPE
BEATER.

out one 10 reJOlce the neafl OF many
nan. took place yesterday morning in
the coming room of a vel! known bus.
mess concern. One of the workmer
about the place was q man from Boston,
who came to the city some time ago
with his wife. After Il while he neg
lec,cd her, and neglect was followed by
something worse. the poor woman some.
times not seeing him for days together,
and suffering when he did come. from
his brutality. ABSOLUTE bodily violence
becoming feature Of his treat
ment Of her. Finally, one day,
there was a sad scene, the husband
came home in an especially ugly mood
and concluded his inhumanity on the
occasion by beating the woman terribly.
Sick of body. as at heart, she wrote to
her brother in the East an account OF
her sufferines.
Yesterday morning there appeared in
the counting room Of the establishment
named. stranger Of determined as
pect, well-knit frame and countenancc
that betokened intelligence and health.
A timid. trembling woman accompanied
him and slightly held back as he walked
mp to the counter and inquired for the
Bostonian in low, calm tones.
He isn't in just now. but / guess
he'll be here in about half an hour
was the reply; "did you want to see
him particularly
"Well. yes. To tell the truth I've
come 1900 miles TO see him. Time
doesn't hang very heavy on my hands.
so I'll wait. He's professional wife
bestcr, and he married my sister," with
a gesture towards the shrinking form
by his side.
The stranger waited short half
hour. at the expiration Of which the
Bostonian appeared. He took in the
situation at a glance, and started
quickly for the basement to 60 abou.
his business, without offering to stop or
notice the couple who were awaiting
him. The stranger intercepted him,
however. and laid hand on his coat
lapel. saying at tho same time in soft
tones. "Wait a minute" As the stran-
er's hand closed on the lapel, the front
of the garment suddenly creased and
wrinklsd and curled up in ridges and
fittings. behind which the shiny but
tons skunk ont of sight and hid them
selves for shame, The stranger held
his grip aud spoke his little piece. 1t
WAS cOuched III ell the bitter, singing
terms that tho Saxon vocabulary pos
sesses, but not one word of vulgarity or
profanity passed his lips. Every OK
of hot .f,h .
the spirit of an honorable man was Law
ished upon the recreant husband with
. playful bountifnlness that aroused
the wonder of the bystanders. When
the stranger was done with his grafton
he waited moment for a retort. but
the man with the tramp.sd coat front
stood in white faced, covering silence.
The scene was painful to look at. The
stranger remarked that his sister had
been allowed about So week to run
the household on. while her husband
was spending ten times that amount in
riotous living. Ile thought it was time
for that to be changed at once. He
wrote out al order for the balance of
salary due the husband, and holding il
toward him said, There's a paper for
you to sign"
"l'll not sign it" was the reply.
There's paper for You to sign"
well. I'll not sign it"
II tell you just this ouce, there's
paper for you to sign"
There was a moments pause in which
the two men looked ct each other, then
the words came low and faltering. II
haven't any pencil"
The stranger accomodatingly fur
nished one: and the paper was signed
and handed to the wife
Another TRADE began, and the pro-
prietor of the establishment coming up
the stranger apologized for the scene
he was making. But" said he, "he
whipped my sister, and I've come 1900
miles to see him"
"Tske him outside" said the propri.
etor eve have no more use for him
here"
So the stranger walked him up to the
bank, where he had Sl0C on deposit.
and persuaded him to draw it out.
Then he left him. merely remarking, II
may give you whipping yet before l
leave town, bnt you are such a pitiful,
white.livered cur that when l LOOK at
you ] can't find the heart to strike you"
The sister will 20 East with her
brother, and will be we'll cared for.
The husband will do well if he escapes
the penalty Of criminsl prosecution. A
witness to the scene yesterday remarked
that tit was the prettiest case of big
brother you ever saw"