Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-10-03

A Curious Martha, rangIe Disclosed
by a Suit,

by a Suit.
A case was heard before Justice Berto-
lette on Friday afternoon disclosed q
queer state of marital affairs, the like of
which was never known before in this
State. The parties to the case are II. w.
Eebeker and wife, respectable people of
Newport. Nominslly, the wife charged
the husband with assault and battery and
violently abusing her. The alleged Of
fence, which eliminated in the suit,
occurel on Tuesday week. Nebeker
is a hsrd-working carpenter and he looks
like good -na.ured sort of fellow.
When he married his wife some years
ago she was a young widow who had
one child, now pretty little girl of 13
years. The compile lived happily at first,
but for the past two or three years an es-
arrangement has taken place, that began
apparently nowhere, and the end IS
equally az undiscernible. He claims
incompatibility OF temperament. He
upbraids his wife with possessing bad
temper, and nagSing him constantly with
petty charges and shortcomings, which
made his life at home burden. She
msintains that abe has been to him
all that wife should be and has worked
hard and faithfully to make his home
happy, AND their relations pleasant.
Whatever the trouble may 10, the hua-
band became less and less eoiourcer in
his own domicile. Since the beginning
OF the present year he has not taken Il
meal at homo, hut has boarded with his
parents. His wife always carefully pre-
pared their meals, but the husband arose
| early. passed hia own breakfast tabls and
sailed forth. He never returned home
until after supper, and then tie queerly-
matched pair remained apart during the
balance OF tho evening. He slept at
homo every night, but each day would
| be repetition Of the same cid story.
Nebeker plid the rent and provided HIS
family With sufficient means to buy food
! and other ne0ss4Rries, but Mrs. Nebeker
finally began TO take in washing, from
the income of which she provided her.
self and daughter with few additional
comforts that her husbands allowance
would not permit.
Gradually their relations became more
and more strained and on Tuesday week
II eliminated in the rupture before men,
toned. The actual cause Of this last
quarrel was not stated but the wife
charges that her husband struck her sew
| eral times in the fece, called her various
abusive names and wound up by utterly
running basketful OF ironed clothes
which she was about to return to their
owners. Nebeker mildly denied the bulk
of the accusations but his sheepish man
ncr left the impression tina. he was not
entirely clear of the charges. The
ironical smile on his face occasionally Y
changed into an expression Of nervous
ness and annoyance.
Whom he paid the So aud costs imposed
and furnished satisfactory bond for
| $2D0 to keep the peace, he seemed re-
lieved, as though he had atoned in part
for his offences. Womanlike, Mrs. Neb.
eker Was anxious to ascertain what the
result Of her suit would be, and it is
more than probable that if she expected
reconciliation. or, ut least, some sign
of returning affection or indication Of
sorrow or regret for past offences on the
part Ut her husband, she was Rorely dis
appointed, as he acted more like man
of business thsn sentiment, and he
seemed anxious to get through with the
matter as soon ma possible. MIR. NebekeE
/ applied tor divorce at tine last session
OF the Legislature, but Withdrew his ap.
piication when hs found that he did NOT
have sufficient cause TO procure the legal
| Eeparation