The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-04-11
An Affecting Scene Witnessed
in a Chicago Court
Room.
A Mother, Driven to Shame bv Worth.
less Husband Pleads for
Her Child,
And the Judge, Whose Head and Heart
Are Both Level, Grants
Her Prayer,

CHICAGO, Ill, April lot was
case of mothers love triumphant, even
over the disgrace and the shame OF be-
ing scarlet woman. Bessie Brusie
stood before Judge Moran, awaiting
the decision of the court which was
either to give to, or tear from her her
child. Bessie is an inmate of house
of ill-fame, and although but twenty
years of age, has been for over
four years a wife. The case
which was yesterday decided by Judge
Moran was habeas corpus to determine
whether the mother or stranger should
say into whose custody child should be
given. The arguments in the matter were
heard some days ago, and the case taken
under advisement At the hearing the
following facts, in brief, were developed:
Bessie Brusie was married to worth
less wretch who did not support her,
but gave her kicks and blows in
stead of love and kind treat
ment. His brutality drove her from her
home, and in December, 1883, she fed,
taking with her her infant boy Eddie. As
she left the house her husband threw a
huge carving-knife at her, the weapon
almost grazing the baby's head and bury
ing its point in the door. The mother
sought refuge for herself and
child with friend where they re-
NAMED until Bessie procured work as a
domestic in private family. She then
advertised for a boarding-place for her
boy. Miss Sarah ellis, an elderly maid
en- lady, who kept small store on state,
near Seventeenth street, answered the
sad and took the child, the mother
agreeing to pay $3.50 a week for its
board. She claims that she has kept the
agreement to the letter, but the claim is
denied Oy Miss Gillis. Mrs BRUSHES huS-
band learned The child's whereabouts and
sought him out, but contributed nothing
to his support. He also found where his
wife was working, and harassed her until
she lost her position. This was repeated
at every place where Bessie found employ
ment, and She testified her huSbad's
course drove her into a life of shame
She recently concluded TO place her child
In another's care. as she heard that Miss
ellis was negleCting the child, and had
even sold clothes purchased by her for
the boy. Miss ellis refused to give up
possession and the mother instituted the
habeas corpus proceedings. In his decis-
ion, which was oral, Judge Moran quoted
az length from various authorities, and
said that, while he was prevented from
giving the child directly into her custody,
he could and would allow her to designate
the person, if q proper one, in whose
care the child should be given. She
had supported her child even from
her wages of sin, and had manifested
q mothers love The father had shown
himself utterly devoid OF paternal love
and was certainly an unfit person 10 have
the child's custody. The Court thought
that the influence upon the mother OF
having her child to love and care for
would be beneficial, and might lead her
10 renounce, before it was too late,
the life upon which she had entered
The lady, Mrs. Mercy, into whose care
Mrs Brusie had expressed a desire 10
have the child placed, was doubtless
good Christian woman, and she would
exert proper influence on the mother,
and also bring up the child as it should
be raised
The mother was overioyed at the decis-
ion, and seized her boy in her arms, al
most smotheriug him with kisses.