Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-03
EARLE PUTS ASIDE HIS Wife
ARTIST WILL DIVORCE HER AND
SEND HER HOME.
Arrangement Whereby
One Woman Steps in and An
other Steps Out.

NEW YORK, September 3.-Ferdinand
P. Earle. jr.. the artist who Is the son
Of the late Gen. Ferdinand P. Earle, the
hotel man, will come down from his
country place outside Of Monroe. Orange
county, n. Y, tomorrow to bid godspeed
for all time to his wife and son, who are
to sail on the Holland-American Line
steamer Ryndam With Mr.. Earle will
come to say good-by also the woman who,
with her brother and mother, has been
staying as guest in the Earle home for
the last ten days and whom Mr.. Earle
will wed as soon as his wife shall have
secured a divorce in France.
Mr.. Earle says that he is acting on his
convictions. Conditions over which he and
his wife have lost all control make them
happier apart This has been agreed be-
tends to wed has been living in his home
for some days past entirely by his wifes
consent. and all will part the best of
friends, says Mr. Earle.
The artist maintains that his scheme
Of life is one designed to secure happi-
ness. He also says he is socialist but
that his determination to part with his
wife and wed another woman under con-
evolved from the teachings of socialism
but from his own conception Of a mans
duty to himself. He is not believer in
free love. but in the freedom Of love when
cepts laid down by society.
reporter saw Mr.. Earle and his wife
at their home on the Earle estate. a mile
outside of Monroe. last night, and both Of
them told the story of how they had
agreed to separate. The woman who is
to be the second Mrs. Earle. after the d.
vorce sat upstairs and took no part in the
conversation.
asked to give the facts concerning the Cos
sip that has been illing the mouth of the
village since last Friday. He said that he
would rather have the story Of the incl
dent appear in his version If 1t had to be
published at all.
Il believe that my affairs are nobody
elses property" said he, but 1 know that
when some one does something that runs
counter to conventions people will talk,
and the more they talk the more distorted
the story grows. So believe it is best that
/ give up what is really mine-the knowl-
edge of my private affairs-in the best
way!
Meets His First affinity"
LESS than ten years ago, when I was
studying art in Paris, married a French
woman. She was very dear to me: she Is
yet, but in another way. I had all that 1
seemed to need-my art, a wife and plenty
to live on. We were very happy.
But soon something began to arise be-
tween U.S. 1 cannot explain Call 1t in
compatibility of temper, conflict of ideals,
what you may. Those things cannot be ex-
planned Maybe 1 was cruel, who knows?
This state of affairs grew continuously.
We both felt it and said nothing Because
we said nothing things got worse, of
course. The manlier way would have
Deen to come right out and talk it over.
You see. am an artist and have an artistic
temperament l see things differently from
other folk, maybe: differently from my
wife. l was an enthusiastic student of hui
man nature and the causes Of living and
how best to live.
But constantly believed more and more
that man and woman are in torment
when they are not affinities. I found that
and his wife live together for the sake of
appearances when they are doing so in
absolute violation of every dictate Of their
own hearts were not to be abided.
Finds Another Affinity.
"a few months ago l went to Europe to
attend the deathbed of brother. On the
steamer 1 met young woman who lives in
Bethlehem, Pa. She was socialist like
myself. Like me, she believed not in free
love, but the freedom of love when it OPP
poses the dictates of social prophecies. We
talked over these matters. had previous
ly talked with many advocates Of free love
and condemned their ideals. But love that
is trammeled by the absurd conventions of
society should break Its bonds.
This young woman and l saw much of
each other In France. We became attached.
We realized that Our marriage had been
foreordained before our births and was to
continue forever.
When this knowledge came to US went
to my wifes father in France and told
him the whole situation. said that want
ed to send his daughter home to him. for
both of US realized that we were not suited
to each other. / told him that 1 did so in
all kindness both to her and to myself. He
saw my point of view. We consulted a
lawyer, and the divorce was arranged
When 1 left France he gave me an almost
fatherly farewell.