The Minneapolis journal., 1903-11-24
A Story of Hard Luck.

81
To the Editor of The Journal Esy
have never had much patience with
women who go out on public platforms
and talk woman's rights, but I have seen
case Of such suffering of a, woman under.
the present laws Of Minnesota that feel
that something must be wrong. )
Let me tell you story. Once upon
time a girl got married. She was girl
who had been accustomed to many luxur-
les in her girlhood's home, and later had
been able to earn those luxuries for her.
self. zs5 #
Well, for a time after her marriage all
goes WELL then come heavy expenses on
account Of serious illness in the family,
little ones come into the home, then a
crash-a complete failure in her hus-
bands business. Several years of bad
crops, perhaps not the best of manage
ment, but certainly no dishonesty had
been the cause. After family consulta-
ton it was decided that the wife should
stay at home alone, with only the little
ones, while the husband went away to ac-
cept position that promised good pay
after he should spend a month or two for
experience The wife allowed herself only
$40 a month out of her husbands earnings
during the summer, making up the rest OF
her expenses by keeping boarders, sewing,
or doing anything possible, all the rest
Of the money being paid out on debts. But
a. start had hardly been made when the
husband was brought home sick and, af-
ter several weary weeks in bed, went back
to work before he was able. They now
decide it would be better for the family
to be together so the wife borrows money
of relatives and is soon settled among
strangers.
They had notified all creditors that they
wished to avoid bankruptcy and if given
time would pay every cent of Indebted
ness, but, of course, some are getting i'm
patient. and without any notice, a sheriff
calls and serves garnishment papers on
the wife while the husband is away at
his work This Is a new experience TO,
the poor woman and she struggles wearily
along at her work till her husbands re.
| turn. AS a result of these papers, oul
Isdebtor lays off from his work Qoss Of time
and wages) and attempts to make a set.
tlement with the lawyer who has brought
! the action, Offering more than he coulC
spare each month from his living and pay.
ments on other debts, but all offers arr
refused. With heavy heart he returns K
work, seeing no way but to let them have
1 his whole months wages, excepting tn,
paltry SIS exemption. This man Otter
worked nights and about the time tn,
case was supposed to come off the wifi,
was aroused one morning before dayligh
| by a rap at the door. Wondering wha
trouble this was, the poor woman went t
the door and trenblingly asked. who
there?'' 'The constable came in i'm
portant tones. What is wanted?' from
the inside ''Your husband.' III
is away gasped the poor woman
l"What is the trouble now?'' 'tTl
call tomorrow morning. was the reply
/ "theresis nothing to alarm you.'' and ava,
went the constable.
i Well, the call the next morning prove
that the case had been postponed (mor
4 costs), then withdrawal of the first cas-
and new action begun SO as to cover NOR
money and allow the exemption of $25 onl
once More costs, of course.)
4 All this time our debtors wages wer
held by his employers so as to cover a
expense that might arise until a com
plete settlement. How were the famil
living all this time! The wife had tol
4 part of the condition of affairs to relative
and managed to borrow little none
, from time to time, but after the supple
of the house ran out completely and tn
mother. went supperless to bed so tha
little ones might have enough plain brea
4 and teakettle tea to stop their crying, an
then prospect OF only SIS when the whol
| matter was settled. How many fami1ie
; would like to live on the bare prospect
$25 for two months Of Minnesota winte
weather? A stranger could hold out he
amount for board of this debtor-cOuld til
wife do so? No. Is this justice to women
. We think a wonans place is in the hom
Then protect that home. How large wa
: this debt at the end of those two months
s Well. the debt was not large, but the cos1
d on it alone, with that SIS exemption wol,]
have Kept the family comfortably for a
most two months. I say that the lawyt