The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-14


described the young girl as she left the
Catholic convent, and went to Buffalo for
the purpose of becoming a trained nurse.
OF her stay there for eighteen months
and her trip to Jacksonville where she
met Leonard. Counsel called him an i'm
petuous and an ardent lover and wooer
He mentioned the Buffalo letters which
had been written for a purpose, and the
contents of which were denied, but was
stopped by the court on this point mas
much as the letters were not in evidence
Counsel wildly described the scene on
Liberty street when Mrs. Leonards babe
was taken from her by his father.
Mr. 0sbprne's Speech.
Mr.. Osborne followed for the defense
and declared that after married life of
only six weeks Leonard had been cause
lessly deserted by his wife. He said that
the life and happiness and character of
the child depended upon the decision of
the court, or so much of the case would
never have been made public by the ia
Their who had for months carried Bit
ter secret in his heart. She left him
after six weeks, ten days of which were
spent alone in st. Augustine over his
protests. Mr. Osborne desired to know
If there was any justification in calling
the defendant a moral monster aud de-
clared that he was putting 1t mildly
when he referred to her as "a wild and
cratic woman
Judge Twiggs closed for the plaintiff
and began his argument like whirlwind.
His sensational utterances and dramatic
attitudes held the attention of the spec
tators until the last word of reproach
and scorn for the defendant had been
Kissed through his closed teeth. He de-
clared that after damning and making
the air at the De Soto blue with his vile
language Leonard had driven the frail
woman into the streets. "He was not
angry, or mad, or ill-tempered, but in
furiated." said counsel, looking squarely
at the defendant. This child has all the
characteristics of a refined, and delicate,
and sensitive woman. Her action on the
stand showed that. When we look upon
his nature as exhibited in public,
God knows what it must have
been in private. Buffalo was filled
with spies, and this fruitful spy would
have informed him had she been guilty of
any improperly. She defes and ever
will, for him to point the finger of con-
demnation at her chastity since the day
she had the misfortune to become his
bride.
Judge Twigg's Appeal.
What a SANDER upon the human heart
to say that she does not love her babe.
What mother white or black, would not
give her life for her infant. Even in
the animal kingdom it is thus. The SER
pent loves its eggs. The very birds of
the air fight for their young before they
are fledged. Tell me that this child
doesn't love her babe and her heart is
bursting and bleeding for it, And yet
this brute says that she doesn't love it.
What a pitiful refuge is this charge of
neglect. In my life l have yet to hear
of court or jury that would take
5-months-old babe from its mother and
give it in the hands of it's father.
There are thousand delicate and ten
der chords connecting the baby's heart
with its mothers. Her hand is but to
touch and thrill, and happiness of life will
follow. He thought that possession was
nine points of law. 1t was well played
game and he took the baby day before
the time set for the hearing. We are
willing that he should see the child under
conditions laid down by the court, but not
that he should snatch it from her bosom.
The mother never tires and there is no
night of vigil and watch that she would
not give it. She sees things that no other
eye can perceive and the touch of her
soft hand is equalled by no other.
what detriment can come to this child
if it is given to her. There is no human
| logical or legal reason why she should
not become It's custodian. she admitted
| in her letter that she made a false state
ment to get a small sum of money. 1t
| was but the artiflce of a stinted wife
| She was frank enough to admit it. The
| difference is that she admits when she
| spoke not truly and he will not
The court asked counsel what he con-
sidered a reasonable sum to be allowed
as alimony. Judge Twiggs thought 800
month fair amount, and Judge Falli-
CANT asked counsel for plaintiff and de-
tense to see If they can arrange this part
of the case satisfactorily. He would like
to hear from counsel on this matter to-
morrow, he said, when it will be an
nounced to whom the baby will be award
ed. If given to the mother it will re-
main in Savannah and Mr. Leonard will
take the case to higher court. If given
to him it will be sent to his mother and
sister in Florida to be cared for. The
final disposition of the infant will be SET
tied by a jury.