The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-12
A NARROWING TALE.
The Sad Fate of Pat Leagues Wife.
A Piteous Story of Womans Inhu-
manity to Woman
An Exchange Street Landlady With
Heart of Adamant.
A New Born Babe Dies From Cold,
Neglect and Want.
The Charitable Deeds of Humane
Physician and the Heavenly Sym
pathy of Tender Hearted
Women.

One Of the most narrowing tales on
record is furnished by the distressing con-
dition OF Mrs. Mary League. the wife OF
that irredeemable scapegrace and incor-
rigible tough, Pat League. The suffering
she has endured during the last month,
beegars description, and in view OF all the
physical and mental anguish she has ex.
perienced, il is wonder that she still re-
tans either life or reason. Her maiden
name was May Allen, and up to
the date OF her marriage with
Pat League in May last she had
always borne an irrcproachable character.
She came here about four years ago from
New Orleans, and maintained herself com
fortably by her skill with the needle. Her
last place OF employment was at the mil
linery establishment OF Mrs. Nj. johnson,
No 1888 Main street. While there she
made the acquaintance OF Pat League,
who prosecuted his suit ardently. One day
last May che received letter from him
dated Covngton, Tenn, informing her OF
his illness, and imploring her 10 come 10
him. She left at once, and on arriving at
Covington found herself the victim ofaruse.
Instead OF sick man sho found healthy
clergyman and an impetuous wooer.
Alter much persuasion she was induced
TO marry League on the spot, aud re-
turned the same day TO Memphis and her
work.
FROM THE DAY OF HER MARRIAGE
her troubles began. After much insist
encc she was prevailed upon to follow
her husbands fortunes. She Joined him
at CoyIngton. but after three weeks again
returned to Memphis, as her worthless
husband was unable TO support her lie
joined her here, and trusting to his earnest
proies,alions OF better support, she was
persuaded TO go TO housekeeping with him
on Linden street, near Causey. They lived
together two months, during which time
the husband failed to contribute one dollar
to the wilc's support. II was the wiie's
busy fingers that kept the pot boiling At
last Pat got tired Of her aud told her she
might go. The permission was eagerly
accepted, and they separated by mutual
consent. Since that time the husband has
on two occasions drained his wii5 OF her
last penny upon the plea that lac wanted
TO reform, and needed the money TO IT,
furnish a room where they might live to-
gether again in peace and comfort, but on
both occasions Pat and the money disap-
| peared together, and the conliding wife
gave up all hope OF ever rcdecming the
rcprobatc TO whom she had pledged obcdi.
ence and honor in return for love and pro-
/ lection.
This was about six months ago, since
which time she has been buoycd up by the
certainty that another life would soon dc.
mand her tenderness and care. Though
nevcrof arobust constitution, and incapable
OF severe manual labor, she managed to exc
out prccarious existence 10y converting
cheap stuils into kitchen aprons. which
the warm hearted colored population Of
/ Charleston Hill, moved by her sullcrings,
purchased from her at % cents apiece
Sometimes they bought them when they
didn't want-them, simply to help her
along
One such incident is noteworthy. On
the saturday night preceding the crisis OF
her maternity, more dead than alive, she
made her way 10 a negro cabin on
/ Charleston Till, where she had often
before disposed Of her ncodlework.
She had not dollar IN the
world. All her worldly possessions were
four check aprons worth 20 cents apiece.
| The good colored woman TO whom she
impaired her condition babe her remain
until her husband came, as she felt ns.
sured he would buy the aprons out Of pure
| sympathy. Aud 90, 10 his honor be Il
said, he did, although his wife had aprons
enough TO last her a year
Mrs. League was then occupying a
scantily furnished apartment at No. ll7l
Exchange street, which she rented for -
week from woman ON Exchange
street named Mrs. Witkowski.
NIGHT or UNTOLD AGONY.
On Wednesday night, February 10.
Mm. League was attacked with violent
| pains, precursors OF the hour Of mater.
| nifty. She shriekel Tor assistance, but no
one came. Racked with torture, she
| dragged herself from her sccond-siory
room TO an alley which adjons the house,
and knocked ut the door Of cabin occu.
/ pied by negro woman named Katie,
/ who has a husband called Tom. The
woman came 10 the door and was implored
for The love Of God 10 run Tor a doctor,
which she promised 10 do.
Back 10 her room the poor woman
| dragged herself, more dead than alive, SUI.
/ iering toriurcs that Il Is almost sacrilcgc 10
touch upon. For two hours she waited
| for relief but none cane, and then she
! realized that the negro woman had played
her false and failed 10 call the doctor.
Half ircnzied with pain she again made
her way down stairs TO the negro wOman's
cabin In the alley. With the energy OF
despair she again managed 10 rouse her,
and cntreatcd her Ia anguished tones
either tO run for assistance or get n club
aud end her torture with death. Again
tho negro woman made false
promise, and again the withing woman
tried 10 siaggcr back 10 her desolnte room,
but the effort was too much for her, over
taxed nature gave way, and with one long,
dcspairing wall Of Voc the rackcd body
fell In heap In the mud covered alley,
while the misis OF heaven showerod at will
upon her unconscious form.
How long she lay thero she never knew.
She only knows that chilled 10 the bone
and benumbcd with cold she awoke, her
face moist with the mist and tho
stars shining down upon her pitt.
lessly. Then the love OF life DO.
came strong within her, and the
thought OF another life besides her
own gave her redoublod courage. By
almost fupcfhuman efforts she managed
inch by inch 10 drag herself along lying
as she was prone on her back and using
her hands and feet M propelling powers.
BY this method she reached the staircase,
and there with the aid Of the banistorl
she managed step by step 10 drug herself
10 her room. where she fell exhausted aud
stiff with cold upon a rug, lying on the
floor at the side OF her bed. There she
tossed about In mortal anguish for houn
until the light Of day, and the sounds OF
lite an tho auor below paye her strength
TO make another piteous appeal Tor help: