The Washington herald., 1907-03-15
SHAKEAND SEPARATE
Unhappy Couple Reunited
with Judges Aid.
ALL A QUESTION OF MONEY
Robert Lewis Pleads Guilty to Par
entbOod hut Denies Charges of
Nonsupport of "Dianner'-Neighbo
John Wrone DfpIoHaticaily Avoids
Taking Sides in the Dispute.

ConjugaI devotion. as exemDlihed by
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis, colored, who
appeared before Judge De Lacy in the
Juvenile Court yesterday, is a rare and
beautiful thing Lewis WIS hailed into
the presence of the magistrate by his
wife. who charged nonsuppOrt Of their
ffteen-year-old daughter. Tenderly Mrs.
Lewis unfolded her heartrending tale.
and when husband Lewis took the stand
he with equal tenderness impugned the
word Of his loving spouse.
Lewis, who is about forty years Of age,
and bearded in intermittent punches,
smiled benigniy as he was led to the
clerk TO be arraigned He listened at
tentively while the clerk read the charge.
as follows:
Robert Lewis. you are charged with
being the father of one minor child un-
der the age Of sixteen years. and with
failing To provide for said minor child.
What say you. Robert Lewis, are you
guilty or not guilty?"
/ Lewis deIiberated a moment and then
delivered him elf of the following con
! fession:
Use guilty OBJ de first potion OBJ de
document, but amt guilty OBJ de second
DO ton"
His spcuse was called forward to state
|her case.
"Ah complains on de grouns OBJ my chile.
Pusnally All don care for Mistah Lewis
suppoht lie ain 'nothin ter me no mob.
An ain receibed any money from him
since de las part Oh January. an All don
needs his money. Ah kin suppoht NAH
seff But. judge. All jes can't keep
mahsen an Dianner. too. Mr. Lewis, An
understan'. prefers tuh sDen' his time an
money hangin' 'roun' dem gin paTlOrs, an
All axes you. judge. tuh make him stop
dat practice an pervide for his chile.
Tain as IL she were jes nah chile, but
she is hisn as well as mine, an he knows
dat's De Lords tTuf'
/ Mrs. Lewis retired 10 allow the court TO
question her husband.
"Acquires" Small Salary.
How much money did you make while
you were working?" asked the court.
Mos ob de time All acquired sums
Iamouutin' ter nine or ten doIlahs ebery
week"
Did you give your wife any OF ito"
''No. he didn't interrupted Mrs. Lewis
vocifsrously.
Judge De Lacey repeated his question.
''Tassir. All cert'ny glib her money al
de time? Dat woman is a bohn pervarica-
tor.
When did you stop working"
"Ah was wOrkin' up TO de lattah part ot
January. Den come dat cole snap an do
work drap. De las time An was paid of
All TUX every cent OBJ de money home L
dat woman sittin' ober dere."
What have you been doing since?"
"Ah've been pickin' uD loose jobs a
coal heavin' and maxim jes ernuff to feeC
me-"
Doesn't Eat at Home.
Don't you eat at home?"
NO. he DON'T" snapped Mrs. Lewis
"Ah stopped feedin' him. All can't feet
him an Dianner. toe"
Have you any witnesses, Robert? p
asked the court.
"Yassir. dere is John Wrone. who lib.
In de same house an knows all about it.
Wrone was called forward. He is d lit
tie. wizened up colored man of the Olt
school, and his smile was childlike an,
bland as he took his seat before tn,
judge.
How old are you. John?"
Long bout sixty, sixty-five, sevent!
yeahs. All reckon
Tell us what you know about Lewis
domestic relations"
"Ah don know nothin' bout his fambl,
| fairs All tens NAH business and de-
tens deres."
J The Judge turned to Lewis and said
Robert, I thought you said John wa
your witness. He says ne doesn't know
anything about your family affairs. ="
Afraid to Speak.
He knows, all right said Lewis, 'bu
he's scared ter say anythin'. He lives il
de same house wild nah wife
well. Robert" said Judge De Lacy
after moments pause, you say you ar
going to work tomorrow. I am going t
suspend sentence under the condition tha
T you take the pledge for one year an
give your wife Sc every week. You ar
to leave it at the police station ever
| Saturday night. If you slip up, I'll sen
you to the workhouse.
"Ah won't slip up judge; deed A
5 won't"
Lewis took the pledge and Judge D
- Lacy then ordered the couple TO shak
= hands. Mrs. Lewis smiled sarcasticall
and looked away, while Mr.. Lewis sidle
: up to her and gave her hand brief, tim
Orous clasp.
Now. go home and be good" said tn
= court.
"Ah'm er God-fesrin' woman an All
live UP ter nah en- Oh de fair. but
knows he ain goin ter lib up ter hisn.
said Mrs. Lewis. as they dTifted out {
Z tba soo-u-a,- -, differant directions