The evening world., 1905-07-24
MOTHER OF 20
Tells STORY
A9FM DISCRETION
Married II Years, Husband
Is Living with An
other Woman.
IS CHILDREN ARE DEAD.
Man Cannot Give Bond for SIS
Weekly to Family and Is
Sent to Island.
VOWED HE LOVED ANOTHER,
IeItstone Disappeared and Remit.
tances Ceased, Leaving Wife and
Rrood-to Face Starvation.
IS CHILDREN ARE DEAD.
VOWED HE LOVED ANOTHER,

With twenty children to her credit.
Mrs. Mliie Leitstone to-day hnds her
self deserted and her husband on the
island for non-support OF all that re-
mains OF the family. Another woman
has taken her place In the affections of
Charles Leitstone, There are three more
children IN the new family M another
n expected soon.
None OF the Ieitstone children have
been twins or triplets, and yet Charles
Le.tstone has lived to be tho father Of
notwithstanding the new family.
Charles Le!tstone Is now about fifty
years bid. He was born In Russia, but
after his marriage he went to England.
He settled down In Yorkshire and took
UP the business OF a pack peddler, He
made money and was amply able to sup
port his growing family. Six years ago,
5ust as his youngest child was born, he
came to America. He was afraid his
family was growing faster than his
business, he said. He wanted to become
. merchant in this country,
Vito Forelves Husband.
On the steamer the husband met an
other m and he forgot all about
the family in England. He began life
anew with the other woman. Every
week. however. he sent the family in
England anywhere from Sc TO sl2. These
remittances kept up for FIVE years. Then
the fathers conscience began to worry
him, M AZ the solicitation OF a friend
OF the family he, sent for his wife and
the remainder OF the twenty children.
When they arrived Leitstone explained
the whole situation to lis wife and told
her that he loved another woman better
than he did her.
The wife was philosophical about the
existing conditions and agreed TO let
him live with the other woman. All
that she asked was that he support her
and her children. To this the father
agreed. Money came from him every
week until last Christmas, and then TIL
remittances ceased. Starvation and
eviction faced Mrs. Leitstone and her
children. She tried to IND her husband,
but she was unable 10 locate him.
Only S. a Week fer Seven.
The little group of five remaining chill
dren moved from place 10 place to try
TO keep within the income OF the Fam
ily. That income now consists Of 50 a
week. on which seven mouths mus, be
fed. for there Is also a grandson whose
mother IS without a husband.
Recently the family drlfted Into
Cherry street and took three rooms In
the rear of No. 400, for which they pay
CO a month. Things began to grow
worse, Leitstone was ievoting all u
the prohts o. his pac~k-rediling busi-
- AIn -, a..tl
Ii was then that Mrs. Leitstone app
pealed TO the court FOR her right.
She went over to ESSEX Market Pc
hoe Court and swore out a warrant
for the arrest OF her husband for non
support. 1t a a simple story told to
Magistrate Wahle ny the woman who
laid claim to having been tbs mother
OF tw..nty children.
"How many are living now?" asked
the Magistrate.
"Only Ave Your Honor" the good
woman replied. "Aii of my children
were siclsly. They have never had the
prNper care. II my husband had done
his duty by the children as l have
tried to do mine. what a great. Joyous
family We might rave been to-day! He
always made plenty OF money as a tray
eller-a pack-traveller. But now lie s
raising a new family after t~wenty-seyer
years of our married lIfe.'
Accused Man Silent in Court.
Magistrate Wahle was astonished a,
the woman's story. TO bear her ou'
she had brought all of what Remained
OF the twenty children. The Masistraue
turned to the husband.
what have you to say to this
charger he asked.
Le!tstoEe looked sheeplsh and did no
reply.
What have you to say?" the Magis
trnte asked again. Here Is your wife
vino is the mother OF twenty cGllaryiIi
that YOU nave brought into tht Woriu
and now, after all lnese years you hIt
starting to Dling up another, fanny
Leltstone saiu not a word, The MAg!s
trate put him under bond TO piy n
Vile 81 a week TO hep suppSrt w
family, but the man couldn't inrnisn w
has the money, but 1t Is IN a Joint &C,
court with himself and wife NO :, and
she refuses to hel, support The oriSlna
family, maintaining that she Is entitled
TO all OF Leitstone's money.
unjust support Our Children"
A reporter for The Evening WorlC
visited the. Lellstone family at !heil
hGme In No. i0S Cherry street. MIS-
L%sitstone is devoted TO her family, 49,,
with me-" she said, II do not carr
that" swapping her fingers. but b.
60 to jaiL We are all trying 70 do IN,
best We can 20 keep alive. We hav'
nn,; zen In this country a YER, ant
everything is strange TO W., We wan
space, and where my children Will no
t. under the doctors care all the time
OF the family, take In washing wher
am able. Lately, hays, rot teen abl'
Tered for want pt tne necessities OF life
When we were In England we were sit
unted differently, Everything Is 80 muci
cheaper there
The Leltstonc family, besides tn,
mother, conhista of sarah, who is tween,
ty-nve years old Fanny. twenty, Elstha
elghteeni Morris, sixteen, and Mary, six
Mary. was Just born when the father AZ,
str'sa the family, sareh, the cldert
married an auctioneer In England an,
has = son six Years old
~ VA. I.n 80