The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-10-21
WINS Sympathy of All at His
Trial With "Ice King"
Morse.
HER DEVOTION TYPICAL.
Sets Standard as Type of
Faithful Wife and Cour-
ageous Woman.

A. . type Of faithful wife and
courageous woman in the face Of ad-
versity, Mrs. Alfred Fl. Curtis, wife OF
the one-time president of the suspended
Bank Of North America. now on trial
with Charles w. Morse for violation
Of the National Banking laws. has set
q standard of conduct that deserves
the highest praise.
When the lurid financial methods OF
the "Ice King wrecked the bank OF
which her husband was president and
brought him face to face with ominous
charges and an indictment by the
Federal Grand Jury, both he and his
wife were socially prominent in the
upper west side,
They occupied a luxurious mansion on
Riverside Drive and were reckoned
among the very best people who make
ZIP the social life of that fine residential
district. Mrs. Curtis was vastly popular
both as an entertainer and a friend. and
the heartfelt sympathy of scores of
friends and acquaintance went out to
her In her misfortune.
Gave Up her luxurles.
Those who knew her we'll were conf
crisis of her husbands misfortunes, and
she did. Her presence at her husbands
side day by day in the gloomy court
room is really only n sidelight on the
rule of conduct she laid down for her
self when the crash came.
There was no hesitation in her mind
as to what she should do when her
husbands fortunes were overturned
She took the helm OF their domestic
affairs In a firm grip and proceeded at
once to provide for the future. First
she sold her Jewels and then her horses
and carriages She schemed and planned
a multitude of little economies and
finally decided to take boarders.
That may seem a little thing in itself
but It means vast deal to q woman
who has been a social leader and been
surrounded with every comfort and
luxury for many years to throw open
the doors OF her fine home to paying
guests"
But Mrs. Curtis felt that 1t was the
right thing TO do, in fact. the only thing
10 do to repair her husbands shattered
finances and provide against the long
and costly trial that she knew he must
face.
Confident Of Acquittal
She rearranged her elaborate house
hold so that almost two-thirds of II was
set aside for boarders, she and her hus-
band retaining about one-third for their
comfort and privacy. II was also
necessary TO cut down the retinue of
servants to a few that were absolutely
necessary to keep the house in order
and care for the wants of the boarders.
And to do this IL was necessary for
Mrs. Curtis to take up many unfamiliar
duties.
But she has found time TO do all this
and also to accompany her husband
daily TO court and sit at his side
throughout the long and tedious ses-
sions. She has made herself familiar
with every detail OF the intricate legal
proceedings and can discuss every phase
his lawyers.
She is confident that Mr.. Curtis will
he acquitted, and, with others, shares
the belief that he was only tool in the
hands of INSCRIPTIONS financiers.
With quiet dignity she faces the pro-
cession of witnesses that the prosecu-
ton calls, listens with earnest attention
70 their testimony and now and then
turns a smile of announcement upon
The detected husband at her side
The gentle dignity of her attitude has
won the sympathy of all those who at
lend the session, for her presence APP
peals TO all as the perfection of what a
capable, devoted wife should be.