The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-04
CHILD Wife DESERTS HIM.
A Minister'S Bride Of Three Months
Quits His Home.
SHE ESCAPES WHILE He LECTURES.
Too Late for the Train She Leavs In n Nc-
hicie for Her Chesterfield Home In
the Dark Eainy Night Accom-
panied by Three Friends.

Last night while Rev. q. w. Holmes
was lcc,urlng in Manchester on his "Ex-
pericnco in the Slums Of Large Cities in
This Country and England" his pretty
child wife was putting into execution a
prcconceived plan to desert the patron
OF her brief married career. and return
20 the parental roof which she left last
summer.
Rev. G.. ". Holmes has no regular pas
torate. but as a free lance ho wages bat
lie with the world. the flesh and the deyil
in whatever field no chances TO find them
arrayeC against poor. sinful humanity
lie is a slender man. rather below the
average height, with dark complexion and
small black moustache. His shoulders
droop a trino with the burdens he bears.
for he is an earnest laborer In the vine
yard.
HIS HEART TOUCHED.
Some time ago his duties called him TO
the peaceful precincts Of Chesterfield
county. and for some time he wrestied
with such sin as turks among the ruralsts
about Chester and Beech station on the
Farmville and Powhatan road.
Here while his voice was raised with
great carncstness in calling upon the
thoughtless 10 turn from the folly OF
their ways his human heart was touched
ly the cOmoliness Of a pretty country
maiden. over whose sun-kissed head but
sixteen or seventeen short summers had
shimmcred, and fed.
Miss Cora Mann was the name Of the
sweet country lass whose bounding feet
had trod only the hower-lined paths Of
fH..II q 81
tlons went ont with child-likc simplicity
10 tho earnest cXpounder Of everlasting
truth.
ON August 9th they were married. and
q short while ago they came 10 this city
and took MP their abode at the Windsor
Hotel. Eighth and Franklin streets.
THE ESCAPE.
Tho lights of Richmond fckered In the
mist and rain. and the hurryng pedes-
trians gathered their dripping garments
about them and sought the shelter Of
their homes with speedy feet last night
10 was Q O'Clock. and the vivid pictures
being portrayed I'm Manchester by Rev.
g. W. Holmes OF tho slums Of other
cities would have found splendid back
ground In the bespattored streets and
sidewalks of Richmond.
A group Of several ladies and gentlemen
were gathered al the Union Depot. II had
been the intention Of some Of them TO
take the S:56 train but the sound Of the
pufing engine and changing bell had died
on the mist-laden air as they reached
the depot. and now they conversed I'm low
tones.
The party then went TO the Lexington
Hotel and the ladies repaired 10 the par
iors while tho gentlemen LEFT. An hour
elapsed and a double team drove mp 10
the door. and tho ladies came rapidly
down tho steps. In the lead was Mrs.
al n
whose sparkling eyes and flushed checks
hetokoncd great mental excitement.
Lightly into the back seat Of the drag she
sprung, and q lady friend took the seat
beside her IN the front seat two gentle
men wrapped their heavy coats about
them. and peerod suspectingy out into
the fox that clung like sable mantle
over the surrounding buildings.
WHY SHE LEFT HIM.
A Times reporter had been spectator
of the hurried preparations, and while
seated i'm tho vehicle he asked Mrs.
Holmes why she was thus leaving her
husband.
He does not treat mo right" she said;
che insists that shall not jcave my
room. and forbids me to go into the
parlor az the hotel and even forbids me
10 talk with the ladies who live IN the
house.
Al this iuncturc one Of the sympathetic
friends related some instances in which
80 was claimed that Rev. Mr.. Holmes
had not been as tender in his treatment
Of tho Youthful bride as she had antici-
pated. and 60 these Mrs. Holmes nodded
her assent
Mrs Holmes vontured to inform the
reporter That the financial condition OF
her husband was such that she was i'm
PEELED by reason OF her desire 10 be COM
foHahlv clothed 10 seek the shelter Of her
fathers roof Although it must be stated
that she was comfortably ana tasuly
attrod as she entered the vehicle.
with "a smile of happy anticipation. the
young woman spoke Of her country home
and her cagcrness 10 be safely once more
from what she termed her bitter cNpe-
ricnccs." and with a word Of gratitude
10 the friends who were going 10 pilot
her through the clouds and darkness TO
the sunshine OF her childhood's home. the
impatient horses were given the rein.
and. with q crack of the whip. the drag
with the four occupants dashed on I'm the
fog-shrouded night toward the darkened
aF ..fH