Wathen v. Wathen

GrOODE, J. The parties to this action were married May 14, 1901, and lived together until August 22d thereafter when, the petition alleges, the defendant left home and has since continuously absented himself from [287] the plaintiff without cause for more than one year. The action was began by personal service on the defendant, bat he filed no' answer and made no appearance. At the conclasion of the testimony for the plaintiff, the circaifc coart dismissed her bill withoat prejadice and an appeal was taken from that judgment to this coart. We have perused the evidence and are disinclined to interfere with the decision below. In oar opinion the testimony warrants the inference, if it does not compel it, that these parties separated by mataal consent and that there was in no proper sense a desertion or abandonment of plaintiff by defendant. She testified that defendant always treated her well and they got along together pleasantly antil a few weeks before the alleged desertion, when she proseeated an investigation to see whether he was doing night work as he said he was, and finding oat that he was not, she grew very angry with him. This quarrel apparently led to the separation. Plaintiff farther testified she did not care mach aboat his leaving her and made no inqairy for him, bat that she woald have lived with him if he had stayed at home. The proof of désertion, considered in its best phase, is very weak and we affirm the judgment. All concar.