The herald., 1896-08-28
LEGAL FIGHT FOR A CHILD
The Coffin Family Given
to Divorce
A COMPLICATED AND P|T|FUL CASE
Boy Burglar Arrested and Held
at Pasadena
QUICK AND HAPPY DISPATCH
Ezra Coffey Takes Out Ia License to Wed
Second Time
QUICK AND HAPPY DISPATCH
Ezra coffey Takes 0utIa License to Wed
Second Time
Before the Ink on His Decree OF Divorce From
Wife No. l Is Dry
Temporarily Unbalanced in Mind Divorce
MIL Griniing Slowly Pipe Co.
Incorporates-ManyP Petitions In
Probatc-Court Notes

A pitiful case. came up for settlement
before Judge Clark yesterday. 1t was
the application of mother for modifi-
cation of a previous order of court
awarding her child to the custody of the
grandfather. At the time the little girl
was entrusted to the grandparent the
mother was unable to make proper pro-
vision for her offspring and did not de-
mur at the disposition made of it. Now,
however, being in easy circumstances,
she wanted her child returned to her.
and to this course of action the grand
parent had objection.
1t appeared that Alice E. Coffin was
awarded a decree of divorce from her
husband, who now resides at Pomona.
Being without any means of subsistence
she consented that her baby girl, then
nearly years old, should be given into
the custody of her husbands parents,
and, as already indicated, this was done
in open court.
Not long ago, however, the grand
parents agreed to solve the differences
that had sprung up between them by
separating, and divorce proceedings are
pending between the aged couple This
complicated the matter for the grand
mother was on friendly terms with Mrs.
Coffin, jr, her daughter-in-law that
was. Whether at the direct instigation
of the elder lady or not did not appear.
but the fact remains that an applicatio
was made to the court to modify its
previous order and award TO the mother
her child, now q bright appearing child
of years of age.
The mother while on the witness stand
told a short but very-striking story of
the good luck that had attended her en-
deavor to make living since the time of
her divorce. Dressed in quiet colors but
fashionably goWned and with a rather
attractive manner Mrs. Coffin stated
that she had taken service with Mr.. and
Mrs. Faivre at San Diego. After being
with them about three months they
wished her to take her place with them
as their adopted daughter. About this
time Mr.. Faivre died. but his widow car
ried out the intention previously ex-
pressed, and from thence on Mrs Coffin
posed no longer as the penniless divorcee
but as the adopted daughter of the
wealthy Mrs. Caroline Faivre, who
intends to leave to her protege her not
inCOnS1derdDle fortune.
While the mother was thus telling how
she had wandered on to the high road
that led to fortune, her little girl was
sitting in the jury box, lonely little
hgure all by herself, and casting inquir-
ing eyes at her mother and then at her
grandfather, as if in wonderment as to
what all the trouble meant.
u. II. Coffin, sr., is quite an aged gem
tleman, but robust of form albeit rather
deaf. He followed the case with diff
Guilty and without any attempt to con-
ceal the anxiety that consumed him
with regard TO the little tot he had raised
from babyhood.
The attorneys in the case having made
a statement Of the case the court said
that the mother, being a fit and proper
rerson and having the means to do all
tHings necessary, was the proper guar
dian under the law and, without casting
any doubt upon the love and care be-
slowed by the grandparent. he should
m odify the previous order of court and
award the custody of the little one to the
mother.
Then followed scene that was most
pitiable and that brought tears to the
eyes of some of those present in the
cf urtroom. The case was closed and
there was nothing to be done but for the
young mother to take the child away.
The burly old grandfather looked as if
hf could not believe that his little pct
IVES to be torn from him. He got up and
solng to the little child he bent down and
ST )ka to her and then, kissing her ten
derly, he stood beside her patting her
head gently while with tears in his eyes
he glanced around with a look of anger
at his own impotence on his face.
Nor was the grandmother and the
mother of the tot quite unmoved. The
mother controlled herself until the lit
tie girl had put on her hat and come to-
yard her and then, as the old man gazed
Gfter the child that was lost to him with
eyes that hungered for her, the mother
burst into tears and was threatened
with hysterical attack.
And so the matter ended and both at
orneys and onlookers We're glad when
he unpleasant episode was closed.