Putnam patriot., 1918-10-18

for the trouble in her home and said she had written to a number of them telling them that Swanson was a mar ried man
 Swanson was arraigned before the court Tuesday morning charged with intoxicattou, breach of the peace and non-support. He pleaded guilty to the first charge and not guilty on the second and third counts.
 When asked to plead to the first charge Swanson said, within the last month I have been drinking, yes, and possibly negiecting her, but l have never called her names or sworn at her and have supported her
 Do you wish q lawyer?' asked Judge Geissier.
 "No. you can go the limit with me" said Swanson.
 What do you mean by that? said the ludge. II you luSCIid - ate that this is a place of perception or if you mean to be f1ippant or lm- pudent, you had best be careful.
 Mrs. Swanson was called to the stand and told the court that she was married six years ago last July III Dorchester. That she had lived in Putnam three years. Previous to that she lived year on her husbands fathers farm in East Thompson There are three children, all girls, aged 5, 3 and F years. She said that every time she wanted any thing for the children her husband found fault and used rough language, al though he never threatened or struck her.
 She said she was gwen few dol lars each week and only got along by having help from the neighbors, who brought in food and clothing for the children. When she asked her hus- band to do differently he said he would do just as he wanted to. She said she had not had any meat for several months. She admitted that her husband paid the rent and thought he gave her an average of S6 a week. She said he did all right and they lived happily until they came to Connecticut.
 Swanson said that when they left Boston and came to East Thompson his wife wouldn't come without her family He did all the work and her father and big brother would do noth- ing. not even wash the milk pails. He removed to Putnam. hoping to make enough money to get out of town. He said his family had always eaten and had all the clothes he could af ford. He said he went to work in a mill in Elmville. That his wife often didn't get his breakfast, never put up a lunch for him and seldom had his supper ready. He. said the trouble was not all one sided His wife con tracted bills he knew nothing about and he tinaily told the storekeepers he didn't want credit After that he would occasionally take home grocer ies and gave his wife money from time to t3me.
 Asked If he was willing to support his family and live happily and peaoe- fully, Swanson said he was willing to support them and live peacefully, but could not live happily.
 The court can not provide you happiness, said the judge
 Swanson told how lonely his home life was Even in East Thompson he said he often took his dog and went to the fields and stayed untl ? O. clock in the morning He said the trouble started when he refused tc board her brother for nothing
 Mrs. Swanson asked to be heard again. She said that she worked harc on the farm and that her mother did As for her brother he intended tc pay for his board She said the milk pails were washed When Swanson said he was in the field with his dog because he was lonesome she charged that he had hitehed up the horse anr was down in Putnam on d good tinae She told how he took a woman. tC Providence and had a party ther, spending money She often had rseal, ready for him and he didn't com, home He would be gone a couple O days sometimes and never told he where he went. She did not wan him punished if he would do what wa right She had stood a good deal an, was willing to forgive him if h. i lid right Fl Is other women. sh said "They are to blame hav written 10 sene of them about it She said she kept two boarders for while, but since that time had ha, little or no meat in the house
 Judge Geissler said in such eases a the one before him it was impossibl to punish the offender without at tn same time working a hardship on hi family. He told Swanson that h