Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-12-03
BILLY WEST'S BRIDE
Preferred the Stage, and Deserts Him
Her Reasons Why.

NEW YoRK, December 2.-Billy West,
the minstrel, yesterday asked the Superior
Court in Chicago to divorce him from Fay
Templeton, who is playing in Eudngeline at
BARLEY Campbell's Fourteenth Street The
ter, this city. He claims that when he mar
ried Miss Templeton she agreed to leave
the stage and attend strictly to domestic
duties, but that in less than q month after
the union she expressed desire to return
to her profession, and that when he pro-
tested she deserted him, and has remained
away, although he has requested her to
return. Miss Templeton gave a CORE
spondent full account of her marriage
experience after the performance last
evening.
"What Billy says is true" said she. II
did agree to give up acting when was
married, and l intended to when 1 prom
ised, but could not get along without it,
you see. I've been brought up to it, and
l couldn't help it. That was the only
cause of trouble between us. Some peo-
pie have an idea he did not treat me we'll.
That's all nonsense. There never was a
more good-natured fellow in the world,
and we are on the best of terms still, for
that matter. He always comes to see me
when he's in town, and never goes away
without pleasant little chat. Why did
l marry him? That is Just what was
asking myself while l was dressing. /
guess / had a mania for getting married.
They say it strikes all girls some time,
aud / think / was struck pretty hard.
Then he was
DARLING, HANDSOME YOUNG FELLOW,
apd thought good little mite of me.
When he asked me if he could have me
told him l guessed he could. i was star
ring in the South in comic opera at the
time, and he was with the Barlow, Wilson,
Primrose & West Company. / had known
him for two years, and l was three years
younger than l am now, which would
make me just-well, never mind how old.
l had trouble at home, and was tired to
death of one night stands and cheap hotels,
and thought 1 cav good way to get out
of it all, We were married in Nashville,
Tenn, one Sunday in May three years Ego.
Was the sun shining? Not bit of it, or
the birds were not singing; it was raining
pitchforks and l wore little green ulster
to the wedding and dress with one of the
sleeves torn out. The Nashville papers
all agreed it was a grand affair, and gave
US a great send-of. 1 remember we
stopped at very cozy little hotel, a per-
feet little gem Of place. The pfoprie-
tors could not do enough for US and
the servants were very attentive.
You see, this marrying was a new
experience for me, and l remember ali
the details. think l could describe every
piece of furniture in the room, let alone the
carpets and wall paper. We had jolly
time OF it for few weeks, and then l
wanted to get on my stage clothing, and
exhibit once more. Billy protested, and
l concluded that loved my profession
better than him; SO in Chicago told him
it was no stage, no married happiness, and
left him. He tried for while to get me
back, and then we came to an understand
ing that both of us wanted the divorce,
but 1 don't think we can get it until next
May, when the third year OF our separa-
ton will expire. 1t has been an expert
one either. Il it bad not happened l
might heve run across some person not 30
agreeable as Billy. L was in for getting
married, you see, and die it. All that
remains is to get unmarried"