Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-12-14
SNORING VERSUS LOVE.

Love, saith the dictionary, is "that feel
ing of prediction or solicitude for, or de-
light in, certain individuals or classes,
principles, qualities or things. which ex-
cites strong desire or craving for the
welfare, compsnionship, possession, en-
joyment or promotion of It's object or OBJ
jects." A snore is "a breathing with a
harsh noise through the nose and mouth in
sleep" Those who have loved and those
who have heard real snoring will perhaps
think that these definitions are somewhat
lacking in warmth and descriptive power.
But they are the best there are, and they
are necessary to fair consideration of the
sad case of Mrs. Amanda Gring VS.. Mr..
John II. Gring. The Grings live in Read
ing, Pennsylvania. Thirty four years ago
they felt that "feeling of prediction
or solicitude for, or delight in" each other
to such degree that they felt obliged TO
be married. They lived in real harmony
at first and apparent harmony afterwards.
but Mrs. Gripg says that Mr.. Gring
breathes with harsh noise through the
nose and mouth in sleep" In way that has
destroyed, 80 far as che is concerned, that
feeling above alluded to, and che therefore
asks the court to allow her to leave Mr..
Gring to snore without her for the rest
of his natural life.
1t is difficult to discuss this case i'm
partially. When we take look back to
thirty-four years ago and see John and
Amanda walking the fiowery paths of
courtship, che breathing softly and he
not breathing harshly; when we
look upon their early life together,
and notice how that "feelingn
made Amanda more or less oblivious
to that "breathing;" when we that
even after the breathing became noticeable
it did not entirely destroy the feeling for
thirty-four long years: and when we con-
slider the patience of Amanda for 80 long a
time, and the fact that habit is a kind Of
second nature, we are inclined to wonder
why she made up her mind in the way she
did. 1t looks, to one on the fence, as If
she would have done better to "stick it
out" remembering that her VOW was "till
death do us part" and not "tfll snoring do
us part" But we cannot tell what she has
suffered and how the strident snore of
John has worn away her pure and tender
love. There are many nights in thirty
four years, and when all those
nights are filed with snores
they may be more burdensome than
hasty critic of Amanda can realize.
Therefore we will not condemn her too
severely. But 1t is not out of place to
speak kindly word for John, who has
lived to learn that he has snored love
away, and driven happiness from his
hearthstone without evil intent or con-
scious action. What must his feelings
have been when he got the notice that the
wife of his bosom had sued him for dl,
vorce because he snoredl Perhaps he
| looked back to the nights when
| even his snoring sounded like sweet music
| to her, and when she may even have laid
awake to hear him snore. That was love
as the song ssys. But what change!
Probably for many years she has been re
preaching him for snoring, and not lyipe
awake to hear him any more than shs
could help. Poor Johnl And alas, tha
love should be slain by q breathing with {
harsh noise through the nose end mouth
in sleep"
But what will the court say to Amanda
Will it hold John responsible for what ht
couldn't help; and will 1t give Amanda tn,
freedom she seeks! This ia very import
ant case. Snoring has not hitherto beer
considered adequate cause for divorce. and
If it is to be there will be trouble enough
If Amanda belongs to any woman's clut
her fellow members should talk to her. L
she succeeds In getting a divorce because
John snores, some brute of a man will SUI
for divorce from his wife on the sam'
ground And what will love do wher
Woman, as well as Man, is proven to be