The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-24
AN OLD MANS DARLING
Asks a Limited Divorce on Most Singular
Grounds.

New York, March pa good-sized sensa-
some very prominent persons. 1t is the ia
miliar story of an old mans darling, but in
this case the trouble arises not from too little
love, but too much of it. The man in the
case is old-almost decrepit. This old man,
some years ago, married beneath his station,
but even then he had to beg and pray to be
accepted. He lavishly endowed the young
bride, and for some time winter and late
spring went hand in hand together. But
occasionally there was April weather in the
menage, and the fond old man yielded a
tritle more of his cherished rights as a
man. No one is better known in public
life than the old man. He is to-day at the
head of one OF the important departments of
the municipality His conduct in public
life has been irreproachable. The lady in the
case is a stylish brunette, now only about
twenty-eight years of age She is distin-
guished by good figure, large, lustrous dark
eyes, rather decided expression of face, but
comedy. Her manner of speech is mild and
fluent and she is evidently possessed, for a
woman, OF more than ordinarily good educa-
ton. Her accomplishments are said to be
many.
The notable part of the case, which distin-
guishes it from most of the usual matrmo-
NAL troubles which get into the courts, is
that the allegations she brings are in the
highest degree singular. She sues not for a
divorce, but for limited divorce. Her accu-
sation is not that the ancient Benedict has
been false TO his marriage VOWS, not that his
conduct has been such that would bring
about positive divorce, but that he has been
guilty of conduct which would make it i'm
l1rf
with him. and that he has been in the habit
of writing her letters full of language revolt
ing to her modesty. On several occasions
she gave him warning that unless ne con-
sented to stop writing her such letters and
unless, in addition, he would give up adj
dressing repulsive words and phrases to her,
she would leave him forever. He did not
heed these threats, it seems, and about two
weeks ago she left his bed and board. and is
now living with some relatives. Whether
she has embodied these facts or statements
in her affidavits, or whether she has signed
her complaint, does not yet appear, for all
| the parties, even the lawyers in the case, are
as dumb as oysters. The standing of the
parties is perhaps shown by the counsel en-
gagged On one side is said to be Mr.. William
NJ. Evarts, and on the other Mr.. John d.
| Townsend. A reporter of the Journal called
at the office of Mr.. Evarts, but no
information could be obtained. Mr..
John ID. townsend was found at MS
office. When asked about the affair
he seemed greatly surprised. Il decline
to say anything about the CASE said Mr..
Townsend. mo newspaper has any right
to NEEDLE in these things. You will have to
go to the source whence you obtained your
information to get more" 1t is supposed by
those who are well informed about this SEN
sational case that, from the unwillingneSs of
the lawyers on either side to say anytime,
| efforts are being made at a compromise. 1t
is said by one party that the papers have
already been served on the husband and that
he is greatly Frustrated by the terrible ac-
cusations brought against him. 1t is reported
he will fight tooth and nail to prevent the
case getting into court. and that he will
make almost any sacrifice to the wife to
bring about this end. His associates in the
city department of which he is the chief APP
pear to have had no inking of the trouble in
store for him, though they have noticed OF
late that he has hardly been himself