The Washington times., 1906-03-18
FATHER GIVES Up
WIFE TO HIS SON
Young Bride Ceases to Love
Old Husband.
LIKED EOW ARD BETTER
Twitchell Sees Attachment, Applies for
Divorce, and Says Son May
Have Her.

CHICAGO. March la.-ihlS - the
next to the last chapter in a story of
real life-the chapter in which the plot
loses it's mystery. fears for the welfare
OF the characters are allayed, and
everything comes out right" 1t is
the story of how Mrs. Bertha Twitch-
. ell. 40 North Green street was called
into Judge McEwen's court TO choose
between the love of her twenty-four-
year-old stepson and that of her hus-
band. Blushingly she chose the young
er man. and Judge McEwen decided to
grant the elder Twitchell the divorce
for which he applied. She said she
was anxious to have her marriage an
nulIed.
The young woman's husband, Watson
H Twitchell, was not present in court
during the testimony He was at work
In his office. where he told callers that
he should not be called a hero because
he gave up his wife to his son.
Father Surrenders Wife.
II don't want much said about this
matter" he ventured as a kindly smile
stole to the corners of his mouth.
You see I am fifty-six years old. and
my wife is only twenty-four. so it is
natural that she should transfer her
affections to my son Edward. I am
glad they are happy and 1 shall be
happy to know that they love each
other. i love my boy. and 1 believe
that the divorce is the right thing. in
asmuch as my wife and L seemed in
compatible"
The genial manufacturer of grocers'
sundries smiled again in a fatherly
way and tried 10 make the best of the
predicament. Ee looked wistfully
about the Office as if hoping that some
one would enter the dfngy place and
cheer him up. Chen he put on his coat
and started off 10 keep a business en-
gagement-
Mrs. TwitchelI in the meantime was
waiting nervously in Judge McEwen's
courtroom Her attorney. L. L. Brun-
hid, explained to reporters that the
young woman would make no contest In
the case. She moved in her seat as If
trying 10 avoid the gaze OF the spec
tatOrs.
When the case was called Mrs.
Twitchell, her cheeks rosy with the
glow of health. told how she had lived
in little country town in Michigan un-
I'll last December.
Welded Old Man.
1t was at my home that I met Mr..
'rwitchell, and il was there that we were
married IN December" she said. "We
came 10 Chicago to live and / met Ed
ward, his son. After the first week Mr..
rwitchell and l never lived happily to-
gether"
why didn't you?" questioned the
judge
We'll, you see our ideas were not the
same explained the woman SLOWLY
One evening after dinner I tainted and
Edward rushed 20 help me Nv hus-
band seemed to think his son liked me
too well and l was afraid he would get
angry and do something"
To come 70 the point. you didn't care
whether your husband left you or not.
did you, Mrs. Twitchen?' suggested
Judge VI Even.
The little woman hesitated. For .
moment her lips trembled and a solitary
tear stole out upon her cheek. She tried
10 answer, but the words would not
come.
Won't you tell us?" said the judge.
gently.
Why II guess 1 didn't care much"
she faltered. NO, 1 was not sorry that
he wanted to give me up"
Worked for Husband.
She continued her story:
j went to work for my husband af
ter that, because 1 thought that would
De best L paid for what 1 got and he
and Edward paid for the things they
got / was entirely indifferent TO INV
husband and found It hard to pretend
10 love him when l didn't care for him. -
DO you think you are on the right
track now-do you think you really love
your husband no longer?'
Yes. that's it; l am on the right
track now" sighed the witness.
All right" declared Judge McEwen.
l think II would be wise to grant the
divorce. You are sure you like the son
Edward7'
Yes, am sure like him, o, SO
much. answered the girl. blushingly.
1t is announced that the son and the
young woman will be welded after all
legal obstacles are swept away. The
young man did not appear in court ana