The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-26
STRANGER THAN FICTION.
The Double Lives Led by Some Men-Free
Love Among Actors.

Ne York Correspondent Philadelphia Record
A curious case has just come to light through
the newspapers. A man by the name of Watson,
a well-known business man Of Nassau street,
who was supposed to be as honorable as he
apparently prosperous, las just disappeared
from the city, leaving wife and three children
and large number Of debts behind him. 1T Is
said that he has gone off with another woman,
and that he is now in Philadelphia. Every one
who knew Watson is surprised at the develop
ments in his case. His wife never suspected
for moment that he was not one of the most
upright and best of men. She had no reason to
think that he did not pay his bills. UnJl she
received letter from him saying that he had
fled, she had never doubt as to his character or
business habits l suppose, if we only knew 1t,
there are many more cases of this sort in New
York. know Of one somewhat similar OF man
H wh1 lived stras say as Mr. smith on ana
family. He was member of the
church, an important man in his ward and
highly respected by all who knew him. On an
other street not a biscuits toss from his Smith
home he lived as Mr.. Jones with another wife
and another family Each of his wives sup
posed that she was the only one He was
wealthy, and both families lived in good style.
Wives do not often ask many questions about
their husbands business, and they supposed
that he was called out Of town good deal by
matters of Importance. The truth is, he was
very seldom out of town. When one wife sup
posed that he was i'll the West he was living
with the other wife. This went on for six or
seven years, and the truth might have never
been discovered if the children of one wife had
not met him in the street one day with
the children of the other and claimed
him as their father. AS the first
wife was walking with him at the
time this was embarrassing, and it led to devel-
opments which ended his double life. There are
a great many curious things going on IN the
world that we know nothing of until some I'M
foreseen circumstance brings them to light. In
the theatrical profession it is quite common for
man to have two wives, but the affairs of actors
are generally pretty we'll canvassed by the pub
lic SO this fact is not kept secret. They have
ways of getting around the question of bigamy,
and seem to think nothing of putting aside one
wife to- take another and of neglecting to go
through legal forms l remember one day was
speaking to successful manager in the lobby of
his theater, when gayly dressed lady stepped
up to him and said: Hello Harry, can't you give
me box for tonight? l have not seen your new
star. and | want to come and bring party"
Certainly, my dear" he answered in most
amiable manner and went to the box Office and
got her the desired ticket. AS she left the lobby
he looked after her rather admiringly, and
WHAT l said; your wife! Certainly that is
not the lady you introduced me to day as
your wifeF No. no. said he; ''this one is my
first wife. We are perfectly good friends. She
is very nice little woman, and l am always
glad to see her." | asked one of the managers
friends if he had been divorced from his first
wife He replied that he did not know that he
had that he did not think there had been any
very imposing ceremony, but they must have
had some arrangement, for she had married
another man and he had married another woman.