The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-08


 She was unl5ind enough to say yesterday before Judge S. E. Greene that she pre- ferred to live with her father, G. D. Pate
 Since there Is so much evidence that Mrs. Rawlinson Is not yet fourteen years of age, the unfortunate young husband must submit to the inevitable decree of his caprielous spouse and live for few months longer at-least a life of eonnubial desuetude.
 Judge Greene Hears Argument.
 Judge Greene listened yesterday morn- ing to the pleas of the husband through his attorney, A. Leo Oberdorfer. setting forth reasons why Mrs. Rawllnson should be released from her parental bondage and allowed to return to her lawfully welded husband. The word pictures of the lonely life the young man was leading were indeed pathetic and enough to elicit sympathy for him from any tribunal.
 Mrs. Rawlinson, however, spoiled the whole thing by stepping forward and saying that she preferred to be under her fathers fostering care. What good could 1t do the hapless young groom to institute habeas corpus proceedings to re- cover his bride when she herself had turn ed against him? What did 1t matter whether he should defend himself against various criminal proceedings in connec- ton with the case and preserve his name untarnished before the world unless she intended to share that name with him?
 Would Not Appear in Court.
 The worst feature of her action was the fact that she positively refused to appear in court. Her father announced that he could not get her to come except by using physical force The court thereupon dispatched two deputies to her home in Avondale with instructions to bring her in.
 And then when she was brought into the courtroom she did not speak to Raw linson. who was near, her, and went on the stand and said she wanted to live with her parents.
 She Had Her Choice.
 Judge Greene then told her to go live with her father If she wanted to. He based his decision on the fact that it has not been established that Mrs Raw linson Is over IA years old. Her parents both claim that she has not yet reached that mature age and say that they ought to know if anyone does. The court looks at the matter from their point of view in spite of an incident that took place at the recent trial of Rawlinson on the charge of abduction.
 An attorney for the prosecution had said a great deal about what little girl | s-t,a in her short frocks and was in fact a mere child. He had not seen Mrs. Raw linson himself but he was told enough to send out and have her brought in before the Jury. He admitted afterwards that he knew his case was lost the moment the girl was brought in and the jury caught sight of her.
 Love and Hate.
 The love of Rawlinson for Miss Pate and the hatred of MT. and Mrs. Pate for Rawlinson came about after the fol- lowing fashion:
 Rawlinson was a boarder at the home of c. b. Pate in Avondale and from the beginning felt kindly toward the school girl member of the family, Miss Anna In the evening he used to help her with her lessons and in the beginning neither of them dreamed of the affection that was liable to grow from such constant association. But they finally discovered that they loved each other, and it was about this time that Mrs. Pate ordered MT. Rawlinson to leave her home and never to darken the door again.
 Love Laughed.
 But love laughs at angry mothers even the same as at locksmiths, and on April 4. a memorable Saturday night, Miss Anna said she was going over to a friends house for supper It was a ruse, excusable. it is said. with lovers. Shs met her sweet | heart they boarded car and come to Birmingham and were married, and went to live at a boarding house on Fourth avenue
 l MT. Pate must have suspected some l thing for when his daughter did not re- | turn as the night advanced he notified the police to arrest MT. Rawlinson and bring his daughter home. The happy couple was located yfe following Wednesday, Rawlln- son was placed in jail and the fearful 1 young wife was taken home by her father.
 Rawlinson was first tried on the charge of perjury for giving Anna's age to the probate judge as eighteen, but was &C., ouitted. Next he had to answer the charge of abduction of girl under fourteen and was acquitted of this because the jury | saw the girl There is still another case standing against him in which he is charg- | ed with rape
 It has not yet been decided what action | will be taken in reference to the decision | of Judge Greene yesterday morning. Raw | rnson has been maintaining all along I that the girl was being restrained from | him against her will and that she was being cowed and intimidated. Her state ment before the court that she prefers to | live with her father somewhat changes 1 the aspect of the case.
 Some one was so cruel yesterday to sug- | gest the divorce court to him. RAID NETTED CITY $435.