Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-11-19
CRUEL LAWS.
A Startling hit of Information for the
Molhara of tina Land.


Mothers Of tho Land.
Millions of mothers all over the
United States gather their little ones
around them, never dreaming that by
the law they have no right TO these
children. They do not know that the
sole legal right to the children rests
with the father in all except three of
the States. Most men do not know it.
A majority of fathers, il they did know
1t, would never assert their right as
against tho mother. Bntnow and then
father, who is as bad as the law, knows
his legal rights and assumes them.
Not long ago. within u short ride Of
Boston by rail, lived young man and
his wife and their seven-months-od
baby. Apparently they were at peace
and prosperous. One day the husband
told his wife ut noon that certain
family had sent her an earnest invita-
tion to spend the afternoon. Tho wife
said sho chad too many things to do
that day togo TO visit" But the hus-
band said: h'You ought to go when
they send for you. will take care of
tho baby. Thus urged the wife made
ready and went. At six o'clock she
came home. The house was locked,
husband and baby gone. There was no
letter to explain this sudden and
unexpected absence. The neighbors
knew nothing. Overwhelmed with
grief and heartachc for her nursing
baby. the poor mother consulted u
lawyer. BY his advice she forced an
entrance to the house. How empty and
dcsolate II seemed! 1t was evident that
the husband had exercised his legal
right and taken the child where he
pleased. All the neighbors sympa-
thized with the wife. Men said that
iii the wretch ever returned he would
deserve to be tarrcd and fcather1d. ="
Execration was loud. deep and album
dant, but ono quiet woman who knew
the law said; "liO is only as bad as the
law which allows him the sole right to
the child" But every man said there
was no such law. 1t was only after
| tcltIonto W huo SthtuNoS AhSl S'NiN
admit that here in Massachusetts n
married father has legal right to rob
his wife of her children, and that men
who were 80 cruel, mean and dastardly
were only rs bad rs tte law. There
was but one opinion of tho law and OF
the man. But that could not restore
the tender helpless babe to its mother.
II others could Sleep and rest there was
neither sleep nor rest for her. The
parents of this husband lived in Can
ala. II was most likely ho had taken
the child to thom. She had been to
their home aud knew how to find 1t.
Making such arrangements rs were
possible she started for Canada. The
same night her husband returned. Not
linding his wife, he surmiscd that she
had gone for the child. He had carried
it to his parents. Hc tclcgraphed them
to take the child away and hide II.
| This they did. When thcyoung mother
appeared at the door Of the parents ol
her husband with this mca sureless grie
in her heart, his mother Ms. her at the
door. One would suppose that the
heart of tho old mother would hay,
melted in sympathy for this grief
stricken young one. But not SO. ShI
sympathizcd with her son. 1t can no
now be told how it was managed, bu
she found the little one in hjt attic
evidently not having bsen even washc,
since 1t loft home, and she took il L
her own fathers hou 70, where sh1ii