The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-07

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ARRAYED
AGAINST FATHER AND SON.
Judge Allen Grants q Divorce After
Hearing All the Evidence-Other
Cases In the Local Courts.

In the case of Cynthia Isabel Smith
against John o. Smith. on trial in the Cir
cult Court yesterday. Judge Allen found
a situation similar to "a house divided
against ITSELF The Smiths came from
Kentucky. The mother with her pretty
sixteen-year-old daughter Alma and a
seven-year-old boy sat on one side OF the
courtroom. The girl wore a stylish walk
ing suit of gray and a becoming straw hat
with a profusion of May flowers on it. Her
troubled blue eyes constantly watched the
courts kindly face to try to detect what
would be done in the case. The mother
with a world of trouble in her face sat
with her attorney and studiously avoided
giancing in the direction of her husband.
The mother was suing for divorce and the
court finally said it would be granted. The
case came up before Judge feathers once
and he refused to give a divorce. When
Judge Allen learned this yesterday he said
it was no use to proceed further-that he
would not grant a decree il another court
had refused. He was informed, however.
that the plaintiff had new evidence. and
when this was brought out he granted the
decree.
The evidence showed that the mother and
daughter are compelled to earn their living
by hard work. The father and a half
grown son live together. This young man
was in court, but paid little attention to
his mother and sister. He sat close to his
father and seemed entirely taken up with
pretty girl on the other side of the court
room would try to attract his attention,
usually with piteous little smile. but he
was too interested in his father to pay
much attention to her. Occasionally the
mother would cast a yearning look at the
lad as If hungering for a smile from him.
AT the close of the case the question arose
as TO what should be done with the little
boy. The fathers attorney said his client
would be willing to pay $40 month for the
support OF Pin the boy II ne could be assured
streets and would not be allowed to climb
on street cars. The attorney wanted this
clined to listen to this argument This
would be strange kind Of boy the judge
said. IF he didn't try to jump on cars if he
got an opportunity" The judge went a
believed 1t would be impossible for this
woman to have her eye on the child all the
time and still earn her own living. THE
fact is, Judge Allen declared with a slight
flush of indignation, 1.-The only two people
in this family that ought to be at work
is this plaintiff and his son, who could
make good living for these women If they
were disposed to. The only thing I'm going
to ask is that this woman do the best she
can by this child, and that's all any one
ought TO expect"
81 can make my own living" the pretty
girl ventured timidly and blushed furiously.
"All right" said the court: you go
ahead and do the best you can" AS the
crowd left the courtroom Judge Allen took
the young man aside and gave him some
good advice. AS the woman rose from her
chair she gave a hasty, searching glance
in the direction of her husband, but he re-
fused to look at her and she passed on. AS
they started out the mother and daughter
fingered a moment, hoping to get a word
with the young man. who still sat by his
over to them. He made them happy for
the moment by a word and smile, but there
was not handshake-not a caress, and
the woman and the child passed out Its
a great, sad world" said the court with a
sigh, closing the big record in front Of him
that contained many such cases.