Year: 1878

An incident that would suggest mate
rial for play or novel took place in the
Quarter Sessions recently, His Honor,
Judge Kirkpatrick, was disposing of the
complaints of matrons whose husbands
had deserted them. ~


Many cases of an aggravated charac-
ter had been brought up that it began
to look as if the man biped in domes-
tic state was a great and constitutional
offender. The sympathies of the audi
ence were growing in favor of the de-
pressed women. This was heightened
by the entrauce of very pale, square,
benign lady, apparently Of culture and
refinement, dressed in neat, dark fab
ric. She was accompanied by a sweet
girl of fifteen, very tastefully dressed.
in the latest fashion of hat. onyx orna-
ments, and also some dark texture, and
little child of three or four, in a light
and also tasteful dress.


Great was the sympathy for the lady
like mother when she arose and in low
voice and refined language told how she
had been deserted by her husband, how
he had failed to provide for her support
and that of her two interesting children.
An old and accomplished lawyer, her
counsel, drew up her statement with an
air that was almost dramatic. His Hon.
or was affected. Any man with sym
pathetic nature would be. His Honor
called on her husband to stand up, and
all eyes turned upon the culprit.


He was tall, thin Irishman, aged
fifty, gray haired and with mild, care
worn features. His boots were too
large his coat hung about him in folds
that suggested he had once been lar
ger man he wore no collar his shirt at
the neck was frayed, but eleanly, He
stood before the bar trembling, not with
fear but sorrow, and a big tear had
gathered in his eyes.


..What answer have. you to make to
this charge, sir?'' said the Court, rather
severely, but with some astonishment at
the apparition which was different from
what had been expected. c5


.Well, indeed, don't know, yer hon.
or" said the man, in a low tone. I'm
but poor man, and have done the best
I could .asr- - I..s.F a..f.,


.'Your Honor said counsel for de-
fendant, ''this poor man has been ruined


by the folly and extravaganza of his


wife, who is now here sueing him.


The Court proceeded to investigate


He found that the wild featured old


man defendant was peddlar, though he
did not look as if he had the strength


for hard labor; that he had accumulated
some property, and sold it for $500 to


meet the demand of his comparatively


fashionable wife and family that they


moved into $40 per month house, and
afterwards one little cheaper, bought


marble-top tables, and lived high until
this money was spent, allowing the old
man in the meantime to work over the


furnace, and keeping the luxuries mea-
surably to themselves; that when out of
! money they got his wages until he had
not money enough to pay his board
; where he was living in Sharpsburg; that
[ he had given them all he had; that he


could get work sometimes about three


days in week, but all that he made
they were welcome to. sssm
A universal feeling of indignation ran
: through the courtroom. Even his Hon


or could not help sharing it. Said he,


turning sharply to the prosecutor and
her fashionably dressed young daughter.
You have no business in this Court.
/ madam. You can go, madam-you can
o 60 at once You pushed this poor man
|, into hardships by your extravaganza,


and now you come here in your crepes
and reps, and your stylish clothes to





prosecute him because he is no longer
i able to maintain you. This court will
!. not assist you. And as for you, poor
man. continued his Honor, 1--WE pity
rather than prosecute you. Go-go free
e NOT even the costs shall you have to
$ pay" a
d There was low murmur of applause
!. through the court. The lady and her
:, children walked out somewhat abashed.
7 The vindicated husband took his hat,
s and with "Thank yer Honor" left,
j. not triumphant but still sorrowful.
It And through the remainder of the
session it was noticed that the tide OF
:, feeling was turned the other way, and
. complaining wives had to undergo a
d closer ordeal of cross examination than
n hnco