Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-12-06
IN WIFE'S CUSTODY
CHICAGO MAN ORDERED TO QUIT
WORK OR GO TO JAIL.
Judge Sentences Joseph GIrseh "a
Remain Idle at Home With His
Wife. Who Says Pay Days
Brlno Trouble to Her.

Chicago.-Joseph Girsch, who lives
at 1870 South Paulina street. was SEN
fenced the other day to an indefinite
period of idleness by Judge Newcom.
er. The terms OF Judge Newcomers
decree were that Joseph was to be
returned forthwith to his residence In
the custody Of his wife to eat three
square meals day and sleep ten
hours at night and to refrain until
further notice from all bodily labor
particularly from the labor OF his
trade as q molder-under penalty OF
being sent to the bridewell. where he
would have nothing to do but mako
big ones into littlo ones all day long
This remarkable decree was uttered
after the court had listened to story
told by Girsch's wife. Mrs. Girsch
had had her husband arrested on u
charge Of disorderly conduct. Her
husband. she said. had beaten her and
driven her out into the street.
Il am a law-abiding woman" Mrs.
Girsch told the court. land I cant
stand Joe's conduct any longer. You'll
Just have to put him under bonds to
refrain from working"
What's that?" inquired the court,
sitting up and taking notice.
Il said" repeated Mrs. Girsch pa
tiently. that you'll have to put joe
under bond to refrain from work."
You mean that, he's overworking
himself"
mo, your honor, mean that he
mustn't work at all. Work doesn't
agree with Joe. He's got to be made
to stop 1t II there's to be any peace
in our bouse"
Mrs. Girsch was weeping by this
time.
He's a molder, your honor" she
went on. between sobs. Hes just
crazy about holding. When he gets
job he just works himself TO death,
and when he's paid of he gets drunk
and comes home and beats me. This
is the third time he has attacked
| me-"
Nov. let me get this right" inter
posed the court. You say you want
me to issue an order forbidding your
husband to work"
That's right, your honor. You see.
I've got plenty of money of my own to
support both him and myself. I own
several buildings, and the rents pay
all our expenses. love my Joe. but
I can't stand him when he beats me.
II you'll just send him home with
orders to stay away from work. you'll
be instrumental in keeping US out Of
the divorce court"
Judge Newcomer cogitated for .
time.
"All right" he said: ITS little un.
usual, but let the order be issued.
Joe. you go home with your WIFE, and
If hear that you're working again
I'll make 1t unpleasant for you" {
Mice easy Job you got now. eh?"
asked a neighbor who called at the
Girsch home in the afternoon.
yep; my wife's husband" Girsch
replied. shifting his corncob pipe from
one corner Of his mouth to the other.
Say, Joe, let me sweep under your
chair. please" said Mrs, Girsch, ap
preaching with a broom.
What a bother" said Girsch With
q wink as he lifted his two feet In
the air so Mrs. Girsch could sweep
under them.
II used to work in brass foundry
twelve hours a day" he started to
say.
"Oh, can that stuff." said the neigh
Dor. you've got the easiest job in
the world"
Say, you're right; that's one title 1
hold anyway" Girsch replied. Just
then his pipe went out. A worried
frown crossed his brow, but before he
could ask for 1t Mrs. Girsch brought
him a match and lighted 1t again.