New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-12
ACTORS SON CRUEL,
SAYS MRS. MANTELL
Young Wife Almost Faints
in Court as She Recites
Marital Woes.
BABY GIRL WALLS.
TOO, IN SYMPATHY
Husband Accused of DesertiOn
and Inhuman Treatment Be-
fore Child Was Born.

Justice Lehman listened to a piuful
recital OF marital woe from the lips of
Mrs. Helen L. Mantell in the Supreme
Court yesterday. Several times during
her story of the cruelty she said she suf-
fered at the hands OF Jack p. Mantell,
son of Robert b. Mantell. the actor. the
witness broke out sobbing
.lrs. Mantel is suing for a separation.
She alleged her husband neglected to
support her and her baby daughter, Nir-
ginla Fisher Mantell. In fact, il was the
motherly instinct. the desire that her
child should be brought into the world
a mentally and physically fit member Of
society. that caused Mrs Mantell the
greatest anguish at the time when, as
she alleged, her husband deserted her and
failed to provide for her either food or
clothing. Even letter which she wrote
10 Mantell, full OF pathos. which was read
in court, failed TO bring back the alleged
recreant husband or induce him TO make
provision for his own. Mrs. Mantell, the
plaintiff, was formerly an artists model
of the suffering of the young woman who
was telling her story on the stand, was
in court yesterday. Part of the time the
little one furnished "A lively accompani-
ment TO the recital of the mother, as she
cried Justify in the arms Of her maternal
grandmother, Mrs. Helen Hills. Mrs
Mantell said that her husband deserted
her last April, when he told her that she
could do as she liked. Mrs. Nantell said
her father had tried to effect a separa-
ton agreement with her husband. On the
suggestion of her father she met her
husband 10 ascertain from him what he
purposed 10 do for her and the baby that
was TO come. Mrs. Mantcl said. amid
sObs: He told me that would have TO
get some man TO care for me- At this
point she almost tainted. The letter writ
ten by Mrs. Mantell 10 her husband was
dated April 70, 1919, and read. in part:
'Jack-Dont you want 10 come home
any more or help me with these financial
or other worries that are pressing?
Creditors come TO the door every day.
they threaten TO turn of the light. and
the laundry man will not leave my things
because the bill has not been paid /
have no clothes. and am sadly In need
Of all kinds OF clothing and necessities,
besides many things for the coming baby,
which. OF course, you have given me 10
money 10 buy.
It's impossible for me 10 live on the s.
a week you have been allowing me for
all my expenses. / could only barely
manage with il when / could cook three
meals a day and strictly economic. The
heat Of the kitchen Is too much for my
present state OF health, IL makes me
faint and III. and since / cannot cook
meals | cannot get board money from
mother. II you no longer have any re-
gard for me as YOU wife you ought at
least do something for our coming child.
| am not writing Of my suNeriugs men
tally because Of your neglect and cruelty.
and of my ebbing health-you know all
that. If my brain gives way or my body
fails you will know that you have di-
rectly and ruthlcssly caused IT, IL Is I'M
bearable enough 10 have one you dearly
loved and trusted cease TO love and re-
spect you without justification because
OF worldly interests, but TO have him dis
regard YOU in helplessness and need is I'M
bel.evable cruelty"
on REORGANIZATION Mrs. Mantcll ad-
mittcd that she sometimes smoked olga
rettes. but only on the suggestion Of her
day