Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-24

could be truthfully described as vulgar. AS to
what is commonly thought to be profane and
blasphemous language the defendant is COM
PEELED to admit that he habitraly and deliber-
ately uses it with more personal satisfaction
than is perhaps agreeable to his friends and as
sociates. If. however. this is a ground for di-
vorce most members of our legislature. exeeu-
tive and Judiciary, especially Including the able
and ambitious young lawyer who framed this
complaint which am repaired to answer are
in as unsupported danger as vas the defendant
at the time these Charges we're sprung upon
him.
7th. This count charges neglect in providing
for the family, the diversion OF income into inn
quent imposition of unreasonable hardships in
business and household sffirs, resulting in
severe and protracted disease
The defendant denies in fdl and in detail each
and all of the charges contained in this count
and AYERS that the plaintiff continually and vol
unfairly acknowledged the defendant to have
been a generous provider during the many years
of their married life up to tie time of this ILL
advised complaint. The deendant also AYERS
that SO careful was he Of his expenditures that
for nearly ten years he kepta Connected and de-
tailed account in writing OF very cent he ex-
pended; that he has this account now in his Dos
session and will submit it 10 he inspection of
the court; that he always cheafully acquainted
the plaintiff with the manner in which his in
come was used and habitaaly courted her ad-
vice and consent in its disbursement; that he has
no con- cious bad habits of any kind whatever,
and if any person can convtHe him of having
one he will esteem it a favO and break it at
once. That the plaintiff was never obliged to
attend the news stand in theCapitol but did SO
from very decided choice, aid could not be in
duced pleasantly to discontinue it. The domes-
tic policy of the defendant for the many years
since he has outgrewn the babaric notions re-
garding the sphere of woman has been that of
freedom and equality. In arrying out this
policy the defendant has feltcalled upon to ac-
quaint himself as much a. possible with all
branches of housekeeping ant has cheerfully
performed, as occasion requird, everything in
the housekeeping line except the washing and
ironing, always being willfn. and anxious to
tighten the burdens of the plahtiff. The defend
ant also AYERS that the diseae of the spine, in
his Judgment. was caused bypersistent sitting
during the day where curpet of heat was con-
stantly pouring upon her bak and afterwards
walking home in the cold ,ir without special
protection from the influenceOf the change.
Sth. This count comprises detailed narrative
of alleged improper relations on the part of the
plaintiff with woman named in the complaint
statement that these ALLEGED improper rela-
tiOns were had without thecmsent or concur
renee of the plaintiff and very aggravated
charge of desertion Of the laintiff by the de-
fendant under the most distressing circum-
stances.
The defendant denies tlat he ever had an
aduiterous or an improper relation with the
woman named; that all his relations with her
have been of the purest, the most refined and
the most exalted character; hat during his brief
acquaintance with her she hs commanded his
most sincere respect, and tlit he believes her
character to be such that nos ne can hold an i'm
pure relation with her or sufain an association
that is not governed by tiktrueSt, purest and
most ennobling principles.
In this count it is sGed in the form
OF charge, and as something to be
frowned upon and abhorra by society, that
this woman was 'aeiiever in and
practices of the doctrines # Free Love and
Spiritualism.' The defendat feels called upon
to affirm with some pride, ail the most absolute
truthfulness, that the plainiff herself has for
many years been an earnest md honest believer
in, and quite forcbe and itelhgent advocate
of, Social Freedom, (or FreeLove as it is pur-
posey put in the charge on ccOunt of its sup
posed offensive significance and the question
has often been fully and RADICALLY discussed by
the plaintiff and defendant. That about eight
years ago, in a public hail. efore society of
Spiritualsts and Free-thnkes, while the plain
tiff was seated by his side, he defendant an
nOunced himself, with her approval and en-
cOuragement to be an unc0Dpr0mising adyo-
cate of Social FreedOm-tlat snce that time the
plaintiff has not at any mOmelt been one whit
behind the defendant in .he ugor of her belief
in this principle. In resart to Spirituaiism
while the defendants belief in its essential fea-
ture has been strong and persistent, that of the
plaintiff. though generally assenting, has often
wavered and was never string and decided. The
defendant, therefore, feek that whatever of
Odium in the opinion Of the court attaches to
an honest belief especiallyin Social Freedom.
should justly be shared byeach, or neutralZed
as factor in this suit for dvoree.
In regard to the chafgeof desertiOn the de-
fendant has never ceased to feel the greatest
pain. 1t is unjust and unruthful It is con-
trary to his desire and intention. 1t is so wicked
and devilish as to seem to lave been inspired by
a common enemy. When tledefendant removed
to his present residence tie plaintiff was con-
fined to her bed, the weather was unpleasant.
ana 1t was known to have been unwise to move
her, but the defendant had 40 suspicion that the
plaintiff would not join himas soon as she was
able to be moved, and he sdemnly AYERS that
he had nothing in his heart hut love and kind
ness for her; that he left tn, very best of the
furniture in the house for hG use giving his
personal attention to see tina; every article of
convenience that he thought she would need
was left for her, and sendingher food daily by
the children until it was refused and returned.
with the request that no more be sent, and that
the defendant should come at once and take
away the furniture, as she wsS about to move
into an elegantly Furnished house, which had
been provided for her in Grants Row. The de-
fendant, at some personal inconvenience, it
being Saturday night arranged to remove the
furniture, but on sending word learned that
Cnc plaInClH naO Deen deceived IN regard 10 the
house in Grants Row, and WIS not quite ready
to part with the furniture, and it is yet in her
possession. The defendant was then informed
that the plaintiff had concluded to remain where
she was, and that the reHtrof the house for five
months had been paid in advance, two tons Of
coal had been purchased and satisfactory ar
rangements had been msae fer her future come
Tort. The defendant having asuspicion that the
plalntln was again deceived Visited the agents,
Messrs John Sherman & Co., and learned that
no such arrangements had been made, and that
the mouse would have to beyacated. The de-
1endant then, for his own protection, ,deputized the
agent TO inform the plaintiff that he would send
an ambulance for her at once If necessary, and
careIuily remove her to tAenew residence. He
also made the same Offer in writing through
the nelghbor, at whose house she is now being
entertained.
y. Yhis count is composed entirely of state
ment OF the defendants financial resources In
reply to this the defendant IS compelled to say
that on the publication of the scandal in the
newspapers he was promptly lydischarged from his
government Office, and his iicome almost totally
dissipated by prejudgment and condemnation
IT, rms paragraph of the complaint is a state
ment OF the destitute condition of the plaintiff
as a basis for her prayer: it. That subpoena
De issued requiring the d9endant to answer.
"a. Inat an order be issued lcompelling the de-
iehdaht TO pay the plaintiffs counsel $500 and
the costs ol the court. 3d. That the plaintiff be
gwen the custody of the Children and $50 ner