The San Francisco call., 1896-02-28


flying. across the continent with ner two
children and the husband Is doing all in
his power to prevent her leaving the coun-
try with them. The aid of the police de-
partments and Sheriff's Offices in several
counties has been invoked, but so far the
refugees have been unmoiested.
The young wife had full days start be-
fore her husband discovered that she had
gone, and. as she purchased a through
ticket TO England, there is no room for
doubt regarding her~intenions.
Mr.. and Mrs. Higgs have not been mar
lied many years, but, according to the
young wife's story love long since fed
from their home. The domestic skeleton
was dotted with apparent harmony till
after the birth OF the second baby, which
occurred abouAthree months ago. The
unhappy young mother told her story to
her neighbors. With tears in her eyes
and a tiny babe in her arms she recounted
the circumstances attending her unhappi-
ness.
Some time ago the Higgs family lived at
5l3 Twentieth street, but few months
after marriage serious illness in the wife s
family made it imperative that she 90 to
New Zealand if she would see her mother
before she died. The visit was made, and
on her return Mrs. Higgs found that there
was marked difference in her husband s
manner toward her.
I'VE went to live at Sixth and Harrison
Streets" said Mrs. Higgs the evening be-
fore she fed to England, land my hus-
band seemed to have no further affection
for me. We got along as well as | could,
but it was very hard, and each day made
it worse. A married woman seemed to
exercise strange influence over my hus-
band. She had complete control of him
and he did not seem able to exercise any
self-control at all. Several times we dis
cussed our unhappiness, and each time he
would promise to be as he once was, but
his promises were invariably broken.
When [ returned from New Zeaia nd. in
stead of receiving the loving welcome l
expected, | was received very coldly, and
/ found that | was more de trop than ever.
Occasionally the woman VINO had
usurped the place in my husbands affec-
tions came 10 our house. ! forbade her
darkening my door, but she paid no atten-
ton to me and defied me to have her put
out. After this had gone Oh for several
months L decided to m owe to new neigh
borhood and went out to twentieth street.
For time / thought that the woman mad
dropped out of sight, but was quickly un-
deceived.
"a bout three months ago my little by
was born, Just before its birth Mr.. Higgs
bought a bicycle and after that ne was
away from home allthe time. was alone
with nv two children and l made up my
mind that when l was strong enough L
would 90 TO my friends in Wales: again
protested against my husbands dolngs
and instead Of even listening TO me he told
me to mind my own business and he wouid
do as he pleased. We had quarrel and
Mr.. Higgs packed his trunk and moved
downtown =,
A week ago Mrs. Higgs placed her affairs
in the hands of lawyer and a settlement
of SIS per month was agreed upon ana Szoo
cash down. Mr.. Higgs was extremely
fond OF his oldest child and was very KIND
to it. After the settlement neither nus
band nor wife saw each other and nelther
suggested divorce.
Last Tuesday Mrs. Higgs called IN an
auctioneer and sold ali her furniture, WHICH
she says her husband had given TO her.
AS an auction would have attracted atten-
ton she sold il for lump sum. rms
money and the 500 received from her
husband were sufficient 10 enable her TO
carry out her idea, and Tuesday evening
she went TO the ticket-ofiice and purchased
a ticket for Europe.
The most surprised man in Oakland was
Mr.. Higgs, when he learned that bis wife
had gone and taken their two children.