The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-06-09
A MADE" MONSTER.
Otherwise, George Bancroft, Room
II, No. 20 Staunton Place.

II, No. 20 Staunton Place.
About four years ago l became the
husband of a very charming girl in one
of our Eastern seaboard cities. In INV
marriage with Mabel Lane all the
conventionalities were fulfilled. She
was a few years my junior-modest,
domestic-and this, sincerely believe,
her first attachment. Even our COM
plexions presented the proper ex-
tremes, she being a perfect blonde and
dark brunette. l loved her sincere
ly. | was IN comfortable circum-
stances, and on our wedding day 1 saw
no reason why our married life should
not be bathed in perennial sunshine.
Such would probably have been the
case had it not been for an unfortunate
defect in my disposition. l may as
well state here that, before our mar
riage, l had devoted myself pretty
largely to that agricultural pursuit
known as sowing wild oats. can not
say that l was vicious, but l loved the
company of good fellows. Late hours
had peculiar fascination for me, and
the pop of a champagne cork fired me
as the report of cannon is said to
thrill war-horse. These things,
which were never counted more than
"wildness" in single man, Isuddenly
found became heinous vices and utter
depravity in married one. Like many
another, l had difficulty in adjusting
myself to the changed condition of al
fairs, and there the trouble began.
We lived in a pretty little Queen
Anne cottage, not exactly in the sub
urbs, but far enough from the business
portion to be q pleasant walk. Our
household consisted simply of Mabel,
myself and servant. was then en-
ployed as a bookkeeper in a commits
sion house, and my duties were proper
ly over at eight in the evening rarely
later than half-past Next door to our
Office was the Office of the Morning
Sun. After work had fallen into the
habit of playing billiards with some Of
the clerks for couple of hours, by
which time some of the Sun reporters,
just off duty, would be sure to drop in.
They were thoroughly good company,
and had a wild originality in their dis
sipation, when they dissipsted. that
captivated me. Their presence was
certain to mean an indefinite prolong-
ing of the session. So 1t was that after
spending all my evenings faithfully al
home for month l began to drift back
into the old routine and pleaded an in
crease Of business to Mabel as an ex.
cuse for later hours. did this grad.
ually. Now and then qualms of con.
science would conquer force of habit,
and l would be entirely domestic and
devoted for several days at time.
Then l would blackslide and come
home at one. 1t was not that my at.
lection for my wife diminished. On
the contrary, it increased. was never
so happy as when in her company, but
think it must have been strain of old
Bohemia in my veins that drew me
with subtle force back to the boys.
All this, though, was as nothing com
pared to the actual downfall that be.
gan one night in May. recall it shud
deringly, hesitatingly, awesomely. Al
entered our gate an unusual light in
the bedroom warned me that Msbe
was waiting for me, and l shut my lips
tight between annoyance and contri.
ton as looked at my watch and saw il
was after twelve. Hound her in tears
20. Frank!' she sobbed, II am very
unhappy"
"Not unhappy with me. are you
Mabelp" asked.
mo, no." she said, "but unhappy
because l am without you so much.
am sure it can not be business thai
keeps you out at these awful hours. O.
Frark, tell me, what is it kept you sc
latep"
"Well, Mabel" answered, feeling
It useless to resort to the old story
'.the fact is met friend of mine who
is something of bore, aud he held m,
in conversation for couple Of hours.
"Who was hep"
Bancroft" said desperately, using
the.first name that came in my mind
~ fellow named George Bancroft.
''What does he do?"
felt that / was in for it and told hel
he was the accountant at Reeds tea
store. There were Q few more tears
but her suspicious were lulled ant
peace was declared. went to sleep
blush to say it with sort Of guilty
satisfaction that had done . smar
thing. Little did I dream Of the preci
piee on which l was txeading. '
A few nights afterwards, when Iva
late again, Mabel met me with the in
quiry: Il suppose you were out will
that BancroftP'
Eyes, dear" ] replied. catching .