Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-25

teen years. to name the time Or place. when or
where he ever used a single expression that
could be truthfully describedas vulgar As to
what is commonly thought to be profane and
hlasphemous language the defendant is COM
PEELED to admit that he habitually and deber-
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. execu-
tive and judiciary, especially Including the able
and ambitious young lawyer who framed this
complaint which am required to answer. are
in as unsuspected danger as was 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 i'm
proper and unknown channels and the conse-
queDt imposition Of unreasonable hardships in
business and household affairs, resulting in
severe and prOtracted dseafe.
The defendant denies in full ard in detail each
and all of the charges contained in this count,
and AYERS that the plaiatiH continually and vol
UNFAIRLY acknowledged the defendant to have
been generous pro7ider during the many years
Of their married life up to the time of this ILL
advised complaint. The defendant Also AYERS
that so careful was he of his expenditures that
for nearly ten years he kept connected and de-
tailed account in writing Of every cent he ex-
pended; that he has this account now in his pos
session and will submit it t. the inspection of
the court; that he always cheerfully acquainted
the plaintiff with the manner in which his in
come was used and habitually courted her adj
vice and consent in itsdisbursenent: that he has
no conscious bad habits of any Kind whatever
and if any person can convince him of having
one he will esteem it a favor and break it at
once That the plaintiff was never obliged to
attend the news stand in the Capitol. but did so
from very decided choice, and could not be in
duccd pleasantly.tO discontinue it. The domeS-
tic policy of the defendant for the many years
since he has Outgrown the ibarbaric notions re-
-
freedom and equality. In carrying out this
policy the defendant has felt called upon to ac-
quaint himself as much as possible with all
branches of housekeeping and has cheerfully
performed, as occasion required, everything in
the housekeeping line except the washing and
ironing. always being willing aud anxious to
tighten the burdens ofthe plaintiff The defend
ant also ayers that the disease of the spine, in
his Judgment. was caused by persistent sitting
during the day where curreAt Of heat was con-
stantly pouring upon her back and afterwards
walking home in the cold air without special
protection from the influence OF the change.
9Th. 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 N-i;i-
lions were lrad without the consent Oh concur
renee Of the plaintiff and very aggravated
charge Of desertion of the Plaintiff by the de-
fendant under the most distressing circum-
stances.
The defendant denies that he ever had an
adulterOus 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; that during his brief
acquaintance with her she has commanded his
most sincere respect, and that he believes her
character to be such that no che can hold an i'm
pure relation with her or sustain an association
that is not governed by the HueSt pureSt and
most ennCbling principles.
In this count it is stated in the form
of a charge, and as something to be
frowned upon and abhorred by society, that
this woman was "Rever in and
practices of the doctrines Of Free Love and
Spiritualism." The defendan. feels called upon
to affirm with some pride, and the most absolute
truthfuiness, that the plaintiff herself has for
many years been an earnest and honest believer
in, and quite forcible and intelligent advocate
of. Social Freedom. Cor Free Love as it is pur-
pOsely put in the charge on account 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 public hail. before a society of
Spirtualists and Free-thiSners, while the plain
tiff was seated by his side, the defendant an
nOnnced himself, with her approval and en-
cOurageneft, to be an uncou,promising advO-
cs.se OF Social Freedom-thaf since that time the
plaintiff has not at any moment been one whit
behind the defendant in the vigor of her belief
IN this principle. In regard to Spiritualism,
while the defendants belief il its essential fea-
ture has been strong and persistent. that of the
plaintiff, though generally asserting, has often
wavered and was never strong and decided. The
defendant, therefore, feels that whatever of
Odium in the opinion OF the court attaches to
an honest belief, especially in Social Freedom,
should justly be shared by each. or neutraliZed
as factor in this suit for divorce.
In regard to the charge of desertOn the de-
fendant has never ceased to feel the greatest
pain. 1t is unjust and untruthful. 1t is con-
trary to his desire and intention. 1t is so wicked
and devilish as to seem to have been inspired by
common enemy. When the defendant removed
to his present residence the plaintiff was con-
fined to her bed, the weather was unpleasant.
and it was known to have been unwise to move
her, but the defendant had no suspicion that the
plaintiff would not join him as soon as she was
able to be moved, and he solemnly AYERS that
he had nothing in his heart but love and kind
ness for her; that he left the very best of the
furniture in the house for her use, giving his
personal attention to see that every article of
convenience that he thought she would need
was left for her. and sending her food daily by
the children, until it was refused and returned,
with the request that no more sent, and that
the defendant should come at once and take
away the furniture, as she. was 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
oelng Saturday night, arranged to remove the
furniture, but on sending word learned that
the plaintiff had been deceived in regard to the
house in Grants Row, and was 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 rent of the house for five
months had been paid in advance, two tons of
coal had been purchased, aud satisfactory ar
rangements had been made for her future come
| tort The defendant having asuspiciOn that the
palntlh was again deceived. visited the agents,
| Messrs. John Sherman & Co., and learned that
no such arrangements had been made, and that
the house would have to be vacated. The de-
fendant then. his own protection deputized the
agent to inform the plaintiff that he would send
| an ambulance for her at once if necessary, and
carefully remove her to the new residence. He
also made the same offer in writing through
the nelghbor, at whose house she is now being
entertained.
9 This count is composed entirely of state
| ment OF the defendants financial resources In
reply TO this the defendant is compelled to say
| tnat on the publication of the scandal i'm the
newspapers hewas promptly discharged from his
government office, and his income almost totally
dlsslpated Dy pre)udgment and condemnation.
1O, This paragraph of the complaint is state
ment OF the destitute condition of the plaintiff
as basis for her prayer: 1st That a subpoena
pc issued requiring the defeHdant to answer.
"a. mat an order be issued compelling the de-
fendant tG pay the plaintiffs counsel 500 and
the costs Of the court. Sd. That the plaintiff be
given the custody Of 1he children and $50 nor