Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-12
Count Boni Finds Himself
in Awkward Position.
wife viii Doubtless be Granted
the Divorce She Seeks.
Social Position and Political Future
Of Count viii be Lost.

Paris, Nov. 11.-Despits the obvious
intention of the court to grant Countess
de Castcllane 4 divorce, the count is
as dcbonar in manner as ever. He Is
now living with his parents, and has
aged greatly during the recent months.
Count Boni's social position is criti-
cal. Women are beginning to cut him.
now that he is penniless. Nevertheless.
in face of defeat and financial ruin. the
count remains the dandy. He is as
careful as ever about the slightest de-
tails of dress. His neckties. waistcoats
and gloves are still irreproachable, al
though showing the signs Of wear.
The counts bitterest enemies admit
that he is plucky in a vain fashion.
He has but few staunch friends. for the
clubmen of the better sort have shun-
ned him for years because of his fool
ishness. Others, who are married. have
Stunned him for the reasons which
Maitre Cruppi disclosed.
What grieves the count chiefly is that
the trial destroys his political future.
AS he is a member of the opposition and
i Royalst. it is unlikely that the court.
which favors the government, will pro-
vide him any alimony. Therefore he
will be declared a bankrupt and COM
PEELED to resign from the Chamber Of
Deputies.
Although he is clever, it will be diff
cult for MIN to earn a living. The
counts family will be obliged to sup
port him. and from this curious con-
dition will arise. The countess now
pays the counts father an annuity OF
$4,000 francs C$5400), and she manifests
the intention to continue this annuity
despite the outcome of her suit. If SO
there will be provided the spectacle OF
the father. whom the son always help
ed financially with his wife's money,
reversing the usual order and provid-
ing her son with money derived from
the wife who has divorced him.
Boulevardiers declare there will be
no duels, because the husbands Of the
women whom Cruppi exposed fear to
challenge Boni, since their own conduct.
it is said. is no better than the counts.
The only person who could challenge
the count is Edmond Kelly, who would
scorn to meet Boni even in a duel.
Owing TO the counts financial straits
he may have to resign from the FASH
ionab!e clubs of which he is now a
member-the Tennis Club. Polo Club.
Automobile Club. Horse Show Club.
Yacht Club and Cercle Rue Royale.
The count will be received wherever his
parents go. but the American colony.
where he was formerly received for his
wife:s sake. will be closed to him. The
nobility. too, will snub him for being
found out.
Nc doubt the court will grant the
countess her divorce. Even though
Maitre Bonnet throughout the trial has
made no effort to refute her charges.
| the public is convinced that the count
| IL doubly guilty. The confess Is living
| quietly, and now that the worst strain
| is over she seems relieved. She looks
| less careworn and her expression. while
not cheerful, is peaceful. She spends
her time with her children and Miss
| Helen Gould in closed automobile,
| fearing the snapshotters.
No queen could be more carefully
| guarded than is the countess. She ac-
cepts no social invitations and sees
only her intimate friends. the Milling
ton brakes. The countess conduct Is
suggestive of a young widow recently
| bereaved. The count. on the contrary,
attends teas and winners and goes
| wherever he Is invited.
| Counsel for the countess are conf
dent that the application Of the counts
attorneys for an examination Of tho
witnesses in the case will be denied by
the court when the matter comes up
next Wednesday. 1t is also regarded
as measurably certain that the pub
lie prosecutor will not avail himself OF
the right which he possesses to be
| heard in the interest of the general
| public Nevertheless. 1t is known that
| the creditors are using every influence
to prevent the granting OF divorce
until after their case il disposed OF.
and to that end are working to secure
the hearing of all possible witnesses In
| the divorce case.