A SAILOR’S DIVORCE

Evening Star, Issue 18045, 12 August 1922, Page 9

A SAILOR’S DIVORCE

SIMPLE JACK. A remarkable instance of a husband’s innocent credulity was revealed in the Practice Court, Melbourne, the other day (say’s the ‘ Age ’) in relation to the petition of Anthony William M'Donagh, a seaman, for a decree nisi against Grace M'Donagh, on the ground of misconduct. It was stated 1 that when petitioner was lying'in hospital in Manchester, England, having been wounded on active service, his wife visited him at his request. They had then not been long married. She entered the hospital carrying an infant, and in reply to his amazed inquiries she explained that it was an adopted child. Noticing, how'ever, that she was feeding the infant on the breast, petitioner put a further question or two, and in reply the woman, apparently comprehending “Jack’s” com- | prehensive innocence of the workings 'of Nature, explained that the “doctor had 1 given her treatment which enabled her so to feed an adopted child.” Petitioner accepted the explanation. Later an inkling of doubt entered “Jack’s” mind, and, making inquiries, he found that this alleged medical adhieve- , ment was a physical impossibility. Petitioner said he.was on leave in Manchester In October, 1917, and in the street ■ respondent introduced-herself to him, and ' he accepted her invitation to go home to her cousin’s, where she was staying. There was a “ lot of drink ” at the house, and three days later, while still “ very hazy and dazed,” he was married to respondent. I A decree nisi was granted.