Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-03
LEFT HUSBAND
TO BOOST HIM;
HEGOT DIVORCE
Metropolitan Singer Now
Seeks Freedom From
Rich Silk Man.
SAYS IT'S BEST AT TIMES

NEW YORK, July 3.-"Tales Of Hoff-
mann" has no more mellifuous melodies
than the notes of harmony that prevailed
in a young singers household ten years
ago, when her husbands family sug
gested that he sod she could get ahead
in the world better If they were to sepa
rate
Louis Hoffman was a bookkeeper and
his wife a singer Of promise before her
marriage.
They had two children.
Hoffman today is wealthy, head Of
silk company.
Mrs Hoffman has been for some time
a member of the Metropolitan Opera
Company.
They have been apart ten years.
Thelka Hoffman never censured her
husband for his stand in the matter till
a registered letter came TO her home in
November 1919, telling her Hoffman had
obtained a divorce from her in the state
of Pennsylvania on the ground Of deser-
ton.
II could endure anything but that"
she said recently.
Il agreed that we might get ahead
better If we separated for the time,
"I kept the children with me, my hus-
band giving each Of them SO week,
He gave me nothing.
Il was happy, though, to be able to
help myself
Il got into the chorus at the Metropoli-
tan.
AGREED WITH
HUBBY's MOTHER.
II agreed with his mother when she
came 20 my home and talked TO my
mother and myself, saying Louis and
ought to separate so he could succeed.
Il saw their side Of the question and
agreed
There had never been any quarrellng
or dissension In our home.
Everything was decided agreeably. I
little dreamed how things would turn
out
II am suing now for separation on
the ground OF cruel and inhuman treat
Tent.
but stil I am Of the opinion that
4 person can travel faster alone--wit
ness my husbands rise In business, not
having me 10 care for.
For some time he has not provided
for the children, either.
Emma Cecilia Is y now-and Flor
cnce August Is %"
In her complaint Mrs. Hoffman, or
Nine. Hoffman as she Is known az tile
Metropolitan, cites as one OF his acts
OF cruelty her husbands alleged unfaith-
fulness with other women.
CALLS HIS WEDLOCK
ONLY PRETESsE.
Taking the ground that his marriage
10 another woman Is only a pretense
Of a marriage and constitutes ground for
divorce in this state
FrvFr
children TO 20 70 his new homo and
meet his new wife.
What torture for me that was"
But don't you think It would be bet
ter 10 have kept your husband, horne
aud children together all these years."
Not necessarily" she replied thought.
fully Certainly not from Mr.. Hoffman's
standpoint.
His success would not have come so
quickly. I think a separation is good
thing sometimes.
Il always was agreeable ia regard TO
any change he suggested.
1T Is cruel that be should have abused
my confidence and kindness By securing
a divorce from me in another state.
But you see there was another WON
an-what q difference the other woman
makes in a man.
How they forget everything when the
other woman beckons."
sELF-sACBIFICE FOR
WOMEN WISE?
The story OF Mrs. HoNman's alleged
wrongs raises the question whether self
sacrifice Is wise for q woman.
HIS a wife who permits her husband
to separate from her, taeitly acknowledge
ing herself 10 be burdensome. the right
TO expect that she can hope for fair
treatment
Men have n way Of taking a woman at
the value she places on herself
II a woman admits 10 her husband that
she Is an incumbrance and that he could
rise to great heights without her. the
chances are that he viii believe what she
says.
For what purpose does a man wish to
succeed II not TO make his dear ones
happy?
Some such incentive goads every man
on to greater effort.
once the direct incentive is removed,
trust to masculine instinct to replace Il
immediately.
1t would behoove every wife who loves
her husband and doesn't wish to court
cruel treatment. not to let her lord and
master regard her as an incumbrance, but
to strive TO make him value her as 4 pre-
cious being, 10 serve whom Is a privilege.
The very best OF women are on this
point OF sacrificing themselves. II Mrs.
Hodman's separation from her husband
ten years ago had this idea alone as it's
basis then Ii was IA mistake.