THE WIDOWS REPLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 592, 20 August 1878, Page 2

THE WIDOWS REPLY.

A coloured man living in West Green street, New York, having admired—a coloured widow living in the next block above, but being afraid to come out boldly and reveal his passion, went to a white man of his acquaintance the other day, and requested him to Write a letter, asking her hand in marriage. The friend wrote, telling the widow in a few brief lines that the size of her feet was the talk of the neighbourhood, ami asking her if she could not pare them down a little. The name of the coloured mm was signed, and he was to call,on her on Sunday night for an answer. The writer of the letter met the nigger; limping, along the street, an I asked him what the widow said. The man showed him a scratched hose, a laihe leg, and a spot on his'jacalp where a . hatulfnl of wool had-Been violently jerked out, hhdVahs’Wered in-, n tonhs, ; She°didhki < say' niiffin,! and I 'didn't stsJyidar tadretea’'minute;”, ; )-> k }

HUSBAND AND vVlSffc. The clause in the Matrimo.ni:i! Causes -Bill, now only awaiting '.Royalassent to become law under which p dice Wagßtvates will be empowered, in cases of husbands convicted of aggravated ‘assaults on their wives, to order, if they are satisfied that- the future safety of a wife is in peril, that she shall no longer be bound; to live with her husband, is likely to effect u considerable' change in the matrimonial relations of taany couples among the industrious classes .(says the Pall Mali Gazette). When!a, husband realises that if he belabors his helpmate over the head with a poker, oismashes her ribs by k'cks with hob-nailed he not only runs the risk of, imprisonment with hard, labor, but also that of losing the ser vice of a . hardworking slave, he will probably think twice before he strikes or kicks once. He will also be more inclined; to, reflection before violence )>y the knowledge that' the: magistrate's order will ■ have the force in all respects of judicial '-separation on the ground of cruelty, and that he will be compelled to support his released partner by a weekly allowance; ami that his wife, bo long as she : behaves---correctly, will havefchafge of"his children under ten years of sge, -if the magistrate is of opinion that this course ia desirable. He gan,: if it, pleases him,' appeal to the Divorce ;C6uit;against the -magistrate’* order ; hut it ris not likely that his home comforts,- such as the liberty to snr'ashahd)mangle his wife, will. he restored do -him un less he can prove himself ;fo be. an injtired innocent. The effect of this law will no doubt be most wholesome in many cases'; at, this time its provisions will have to he enforced withAoncTV caution and judgment, for, although nothing can well exceed the bru blity- of - some husbands, them aie not wan ting* of men goaded to*desperation by the habits of drunken wives and who are more fit, notwithstanding a sudden outburst to violence, to take charge of their children than theirjnteinperate parents.