The morning call., 1894-10-17
LOVED AND LOST.
Troubles of the German
Family.
MARRIED THROUGH A BROKER
Louis Had a Few Dollars, Which
Speedily Changed Hands.
HIS WIFE THEN TURNED HIM OUT
1t Was Esther's Third Venture, so
She Says-Louis Says 1t
Was the Thirteenth.

least such would be the opinion OF The
spectator of some very extraordinary pre-
ceedings that took place before Superior
Judge Hebbard yesterday.
1t was his Ronor'S proud privilege TO
arbtrate the matrimonial differences ex-
istiug between Louis German and bis
amiable spouse Esther. Louis had a sad
tale to tell. 1t was not divorce he sought;
oh, no. 1t was justice-cod. hard, sub
stantal Justice in the shape of some $500
that be claimed his wife had wrongfully
obtained from him prior to turning him
adrift Never was mortal man so taken
in: never was confiding innocence so
Shamefuliy betrayed.
Louis Germain gathered his lawyers and
friends together, Esther Germaiu hunted
up hers, and all parties met in court yes
terday, Louis having first say. In appear
ance Louis Germain is an unromantic,
dark-skinped Russian or Pole. He In
formed the court now that he had resided
at Vladivostok, and accumulating little
money set sail one fine day for foreign
shores, intent on making fortune 10 a
less-oppressed country.
He landed at Victoria, B. c., and then
made his way down the coast, finally ar
irving in this city in the early part Of last
year. Here his money was converted into
good American dollars and German found
himself with some 5000 Or 500 in currency
TO begin life upon. But the possession OF
so much wealth oppressed German and
be began to look around for a vile TO
share his joys.
1t happened just about this time that
middle-aged lady Of the name Of Mrs.
Esther Wolfe, who had twice before en-
tered into the blessed state, and who
found the loneliness Of her little dry
goods store oD Sixth street somewhat lrk
some, bethougkt her OF tempting The lot
terry of marriage yet a third time. And
for this purpose she consulted very esti-
mable gentleman of the name of Abraham
Lepcovich.
LOB, Mr.. Lepcovich," murmured the
fair widow, ''if We can find me nice, good,
real decent man, fetch him along and Pll
marry him."
This alarming proposition did not even
cause Mr.. Lepcoyich moments uneas-
ness. He said lie knew of just the man to
suit her. What would she say to smart
young Russian with 5000 dowrY? So il
was. in the nature of all things. that Louis
German should be formally introduced 10
Esther Wolfe. and that in the course of
time Esther Wolfe should become Mrs
Louis German. This happened some time
in September, 1893.
Three days after the marriage COM
planned the unfortunate Louis, the newly
made Mrs. German induced her husband
TO transfer his $500 TO her keeping. It was
to put into her business, she said. This
was done; but Louis afterward claimed
thai his wife not only did not put the
money 20 the promised use, but having
once got possession of il, she as good as
told her husband that all was over be-
tween them-iD short, she turned bin
out of doors. So he had to sue for his
money.
All this was testified to by Louis Ger
main, and as vehemently contradcted by
Esther That good lady said she found
out she had married poor man, who
could not support her, that he had brought
her no money at all. and that after living
with her for a short time lie basey
deserted her. She even charged him wit!
acts of gross cruelty toward her True
in the course Of examination Mrs. Ger
main admitted having told tie neighbor:
that her husband had given her $500, bu1
that was only said to put the neigh Dor;
on their proper level. and make them fee
Gre sense of their in ferioritv TO such
a lofty being as Mrs. Esther Germain.
In support Of the wife's contention J
T. English. once a saloou-keeper, now
tailor, was called, and stated that when he
kept a saloon on Eddy and Webster street:
Louis German used TO visit him. MOI
only that, Louis used To borrow money oi
him, and once the bill rose as high as So
when the witness declined to take further
risk. However, be got his 81 eventually
Witness was convinced that Germalr
hadn't got cent.
Considerable troub Ia was experienced il
the production of the broker who brought
these loving hearts together But, a:
Judge Hebbard declined to decide the case
without his aid, Abraham Lepcovich wa!
produced and placed on the stand. HI
said that Mrs Wolfe had come to him one
day and asked him to find her good
decent man, and that meeting German il
the street afterward be told him he had
wife for him.
"Dd either party say anytnlng abou
money!" asked the Judge
"Mrs. German told me afterward tha
her husband gave her $500. But | didn'
see the money"
DiO tUey give yUh any hIohO'
"Germain gave me a few dollars and 81
did his vile. She promised me S25. ou
all got was S5 or &c."
Didn't you say in Mrs. Germans pres
snce that you knew her husband never hat
any money!" was asked in cross-examina
ton.
''No," shouted Lepcovicb. She's La
IF she says so, too. l couldn't say such
thing"
Mr.. Swillings was called by the plaintiff
to testify that he saw him with $3.50 IN hi
possession about the time of his marrlag
year ago.
Then Mr.. Germain took the stand ant
was examined in German, his own couns Sc
kindly acting as interpreter. He 90
along all right until the cross-examina
ton.
"Why did you leave your wife ?" he wa
asked.
81 didn't" he shouted. ''She left me.
Then in burst Of fury, 81 ought never I
have been her husband at all. She ha
thirteen husbands before she met me. Sh
was known in New York as Queen Esther.
"Dd you not throw her down once an
beat her savagely?"
mo; [ cid not"
Strike out those answersw roared tn