Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-31
COUNT STRUCK THE
COUNTESS IN PUBLIC
Startling Statement Made by
the Plaintiffs Counsel.
SERVANTS HEARD THE ABUSE
Pitiful Story of the Wreck of the
American Girls Life.
SHE WAITED FOR FULL PROOF
Only Twenty When She Married, and
Even the Happiness of the Honey
moon Was Disturbed.
Pitiful Story of the Wreck of the
American Girls Life.
SHE WAITED FOR FULL PROOF

vorce case was heard this afternoon before
NJ. Henry Ditto, president of the tribunal
of first instance of the Seine. Neither
count nor the countess was present. Maitre
Cruppi, for the countess. pleaded for a d.
vorce upon the documentary evidence sub
mitted.
In an extended interview counsel de-
clared that the countess at the beginning
of the suit was not acting under influ-
ence, but solely for the purpose of ending
forever the peril of the moral desolatiop
of her household. He explained the mar
rage contract. by which the regime of
separation of property was established from
the very beginning. and stated that domes-
tic difficulties arose over the question OF
money Ill-treatment soon followed. the
count even striking the plaintiff before the
servants.
When he reached the question of the
inidelity charged against the count Maitre
Cruppi did not mention names even
initials. designating the correspondents as
Madame A." Madame b. and so on.
Wants Her Children.
Maitre Cruppi asked that the countess be
given the custody of her three children.
Counsel for the countess spoke for an
hour and half, and had not finished when
the court took a recess. Counsels presen-
tation of the of the plaintiff consti-
tuted a complete and pitiful story of the
wreck of her married life due primarily
to the counts inordinate extravaganza
Even in spite of their domestic infelicity
the countess was too good and scrupulous
to begin an action for divorce until she
possessed full proof. She was only twenty
when she was married, in 1895 and, Maftre
Cruppi asserted. the happiness of the hon.
eymoon was disturbed.
Income 100000; Pin Money. $50.
The countess income was then s7O0, 900,
and the count allowed her $50 pin money.
The courtroom crowded, among
those present were many members of the
American colony.
BY 1899 the countess interest. NJ. Crupni
said. heavily compromised by the
counts extravaganza that it necessitated
family meeting in New York and the an
polntment of a legal trustee. But the diff
fculties regarding money were unceasing
and in order to obtain funds the count
pawned or sold at ridiculous prices the
most costly objects. When the countess
probed. the count abused her in the pres
ence of servants, and when she declined
TO attach her signature to documents he
frequently pinched her and sometimes
struck her, the first time being four months
after their marriage.
In the countess pleading NJ Cruppi pro-
tested against the malicious reports in
regard to the countess intentions" and
announced that she would leave France for
America Immediately after a divorce is
granted her.
In recounting the counts infidelity the
first instance cited by counsel was that
led
A in 1898. The correspondence was con-
Quoted through NJ. Moret. the counts Sec
rotary. The countess accidentally discoy-
cred in the Castellane chateau a packet of
love letters. and when she protested the
count struck her. The countess eventually
placed the letters in the custody of a
lawyer.
Plan Too Transparent.
NJ. Cruppi said that the counts defense
would probably be that being young and
rich. he could not protect himself against
the assaults of the love-sick In the face
of the overwhelming evidence submitted
nj. Cruppi declared. his opponent could not
expect the tribunal to ask for the summon
ing OF witnesses. Counsel added.
Does he imagine by dragging out the
case to obtain forgiveness? No, no, Count
Bonfs plan to reconquer his wife afrec
uons Is too transparent"
Inc maj rupture came the day after the
FAMOUS entertainment of King Charles of
PORTUGAL December H. 1905. The count al
that time insisted that the countess 20 with
him TO a shooting party given by a noble
lady OF whom the countess had cause to
complain, and the count became enraped
at the countess refusal. She abruntIv an
nounced her intention to separate from him
and began legal proceedings
Counsel placed at IS. 600, 900 the total Of
the counts expenditures preceding the ap-
pointment of a trustee. At one time there
was a seizure of their property In a suit for
the recovery of debt amounting to
s229. 800
Many Liaisons.
After recess NJ. Cruppi read from note
book kept by the cook of one of these
apartments, giving brutality plain details
of what counsel characterized as IAN I'M
pardonable offense against the countess"
He also recounted the liaison with Ma
dame c." whose maid mounted guard and
signalled from a window when the coast
was clear.
But. the counsel continued, the counts
love affairs were not confined to ladies' OF
society. They included numerous other
women. the reading of whose letters ere
Ated merriment in court
Searching for Lost Children
MONCTON. n. B.. October 31--In an eff
fort to clear up the mystery OF the disap-
pearance of the two little children of Mr.