The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-12
.'PUT HER AWAY PRIvILY."

Within a few days two men discovered
that their wives preferred the society OF
other man. That Is TO say, two cases OF
the kind as to which publicity has been
given have been characterized by excep-
ti0nal notoriety. They comprise within
the extremes they represent the entire
range Of human action In view Of such
discovery.
Samuel HuntIey was forced 10 the con-
cluslon that he no longer possessed his
wffe's affection. He gently babe her go
her way. gathered a bunch of flowers
from the garden as ne walked with her
to the gate. placed them In her hand, and
then turned back into his desolated home.
Fulton Gordon had unmistakable evil
dences OF his wife's unfaithfulness. He
shot her dead.
Mr. Hunt,ey may not appear in quite
so picturesque an attitude as Mr.. Cor
don. but on the whole the world would
be better II II had more men like him.
This admits no justification of the wo-
man. and for the moment she may be left
either to make her excuses before high
er tribunal or pass out into the world to
reap as she sows.
Only a very sudden and overwhelming
sense of wrong can ever afford mitiga-
ton for murder. Even that does not jus
tify IL. but human nature will probably
always be ready to afford sympathy for
a gust OF anger which seeks TO annihilate
the exaspcrating and objectionable cause.
But there Is nothing In the relation of
husband and wife which warrants the as
sumption that any infraction OF the mari
tai vow, of whatsoever degree, may be
punished by the husband or the wife on
the other through the agency OF murder
Gus weapons.
So fragrant violation OF the sacred
relation as that which maddened Gordon
can hardly expect conformation. Apart
from any sense Of sin committed. there
is something so grossly unclean. so re-
voltlngly carnal IN the lnhdelity that no
husband could be blamed II he followed
the old Hebraic law. which has become
best known by an incident OF the earliest
Christian days. And Joseph was minded
to put her away priyily." In sorrow. but
without anger. the carpenter of Nazareth
would have hidden his supposed shame
and let the errlng woman go her way in
peace.
The world is wide. No man need bear
the burden of domestic disappointment
or attempt to wipe out one ofense in
which he IS innocent by committing an
other which stains his own soul Nor Is
the wife chattel belonging TO the hds-
band 30 he coer,od or neaten % MANNED
or disposed of corporeaiIy as the husband
Wills. She may go wrong. ere ma for
felt all claim to his Affection OF even his
consideration. and. so :orfeiting 1t. he may
withhold either.
But whether the estr cement he mere
Is IN sentiment or by w1nton abandon
ment 70 another. the wisest course for
the husband and the best To- -oclety is
that he shall 'put nor away privily." II
hc can avoid 1t he should not drive her
80 destru s;lou hy leaving her penni,tes
Under any circumstances the man Is : ct
tcr able to re,in life anew. He who is
brave ana mauly viii barry his sorrow IA
his own heart quietly and deccntly re-
move the rause from bis nfo. and going
out into The worlI will bear il as best
he may
II man iast hls fortune kecnlv as ne
might forever after feel the loss. he vro'.i.
SGT about rebuiIlIag It wi;h ll.,le repI'-
ing for the irrem@liahie past. The shock
caused by a vlte's deser;icn would 10
most men be greater, bat the duty be ov es
himself - no less. and that 1uty can new
or },e done by exposure - hts woes 10 a
scan3ai-loviug ruhlic ar nv sleeping MS
hands fin snathcrs bloot