The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-06-21
DIVIDED BY
A CHALK Line.
Their House Was PartItIOned,
but SOuihards Didn't Agree.
QUARRELLED OVER A FARMER
His Mama Is Johnston, and He Ta;s Mrs.
SouthaTd on Drives and 10 plcnics -Suad
for $4,000 Damages

New York. June 2i.--when Leander
southard and his wife auarreled they d.
vided their house in two sections with a
chalk line. The wife and baby took up
their abode on the south side which was
the sunniest and best. while the husband
occupied the chilly and dark region on
the northern limit of the frontier.
This division of territory. however. was
failure as peacemaker, and for a
reason which international politicians
viii appreciate. There was no buffer
state between the two parties and from
tier frictions arose that have driven them
into the courts.
Leander Southard, whose chall-line cot
tage Is at Norwood. l.. L.. two miles from
lynbrook, is now suing John Johnson. a
rich farmer and neighbor. for $4,000 dam
ages, claiming that he stole away the af-
fections of Mrs. Southard. Lawyer George
a, Mott served the papers yesterday.
NOW FARMER JOHNSON APPEARS.
The southards, II is said, lived happily
until one day the wife came to her hus
band and broke some news 10 him.
II love Farmer Johnson" he says she
said. ~ have loved him for three wears f"
Then she snapped her fingers denantly.
Leave my house at once" cried the
angry husband
II won 4" fretorted the wife. II have
done nothing wrong. ] shall not leave
until am ready"
Then the chalk-line. balk-line plan sug-
gested Itself Sou,nard bought five cents'
worth OF chalk and drew the line. ana
The wife moved the baby and sewing ma
chine over 10 her territory. Every sat,lr
day night during three years Southard
put the housekeeping money for the wcpk
chalk-line, taking care not 20 invade his
wifes preserves
Farmer johnson was frequent caller.
but he never went north of the chalk
line. Southard giared across the white
frontier OK him, out made no pret test
even when the farmer took Mrs south
ara out driving or TO the village plcnics
or 20 husking bees
A week ago. II Is said. Mrs. Southard
deposited the baby on the chalk line and
dlseppearod She did not return that
night This the husband looked upon as
a proyocation TO war and he went look.
Ing through the village for facts. He
started his damage suit against johnson
as result OF wbsi hs thought he dis
covered
FOUND HIM MILKING A cow.
With his lawyer and constable
iorfhard hunted Johnson To serve the |
papers or him. They found him milking I
COW. lie saw them FIRST aud hid I'm a /
cellar The subsequent hunt for him in |
clneed chase across lots and some tree /
clin'hirg. lie was served eventually.
The Souihards got some more cbsii
Yesterday ard renewed the chalk-I,ne
The wife Fai on the south side of il ana |
liked. while the husband sat on tbo
north side and sulkcd. Together thev
talked TO a reporter.
~ love Jo bnson best. and I'm glad IN
gel rid of my husband" said the vie 81
married for horne and because Nr
said he'd KIN himself Ar
didn't married him 10 save his iife. Inn
sorry ! did 81.
Its his own fault lie LET me 90 win
Johnson Willie he darced and nirted ui,h
my younger sister. lie has proposed ,o
her She says SO. But I wont let hir, /
marry her wfi'le I'm alive"
Keep your side OF the chnllx-llne,., o..
rlaImed the husband warninglv.
Keep your side yourself,' enoriiv
cried the wife.