Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-07-01
A MADE" MONSTER.
Otherwise, George Bancroft, Room
IL, No. 90 Staunton Place.

IL, No. 20 Staunton Place.
About four years ago l became the
husband of very charming girl in one
of our Eastern seaboard cities. In my
marriage with Mabel Lane all the
conventionalities were fulfilled. She
was few years my junior-modest,
domestic-and this, sincerely believe.
her first attachment. Even our COM
plexions presented the proper ex-
tremes, she being perfect blonde and
dark brunette. l loved her sincere
ly. l was in comfortable circum-
stances, and on our wedding day | 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, | had devoted myself pretty
largely to that agricultural pursuit
known as sowing wild oats. can not
say that was vicious, but l loved the
company of good fellows. Late hours
had a peculiar fascination for me, and
the pop of champagne cork fired me
rs the report of a cannon is said to
thrill warehouse. These things,
which were never counted more than
"wildness" in single man, Isuddenly
found became heinOus vices and utter
depravity in a married one. Like many
another, | had difficulty in adjusting
myself to the changed condition of af
fairs, and there the trouble began.
We lived in pretty little Queer
Anne cottage, not exactly in the sub
urbs, but far enough from the business
portion to be a pleasant walk ON
household consisted simply of Mabel
myself and servant. was then EN-
ployed as bookkeeper in a commits
sion house, and my duties were proper
ly over at eight in the evening-rarel
later than half-past Next door to on
Office was the Office of the Mornin
Sun. After work had fallen into tn
habit of playing billiards with some Q
the clerks for couple of hours, b
which time some of the Sun reporters
just off duty, would be sure to drop in
They were thoroughly good company
and had wild originality in their dis
sipation, when they dissipated. tina
captivated me. Their presence wa
certain to mean an indefinite prolone
ing of the session. So 1t was that afte
spending all my evenings faithfully 8
home for month l began to drift bac
into the old routine and pleaded an in
crease of business to Mabel as an eA
cuse for later hours. l did this grad
ually. Now and then qualms of cor
science would conquer force of habi
and | would be entirely domestic an
devoted for several days at a time
linen / would blackslide and com
home at one. 1t was not that my a
lection Tor my wife diminished. 0
the contrary, it increased. was nevt
SO happy as when in her company, bl
think it must have been strain of oil
Bohemia in my veins that drew m
with subtle force back TO the boy
All this, though, was as nothing con
pared TO the actual downfall that b.
gan one night in May. recall it shut
deringiy, hesitatingiy, awesemeIy.
entered our gate an unusual light
the bedroom warned me that Nab
was waiting for me, and shut my liz
tight between annoyance and conr
ton as looked at my watch and saw
was after twelve. | found her in tear
20, Frank" she sobbed, II am vel
unhappy
mot unhappy with me, are yol
Mabelp' | asked.
mo, no." she said, "but unhapp
because am without you so much.
am sure it can not be business TIL
keeps YOU out at these awful hours. {
Frank, tell me, what is it kept you
late?H
"Well, Mabel" l answered, feelir
ii useless to resort to the old stor
''the fact is | met = friend of mine wi
is something of bore, and he held n
in conversation for couple of hours.
"Who was hep"
Bancroft" said desperately, usir
the first name that came in my min
"a fellow named George Bancroft"
"What does he do?"
felt that was in for it and told h
he was the accountant at Reeds te
store. There were few more tear
but her suspicious were lulled al
peace was declared. l went to slice
blush to say it, with sort of gull
satisfaction that had done . sma
thing. Little did dream of the pret
pice on which | was trcading.
A few nights afterwards, when Nv
late again, Mabel met me with the i
quiry: 81 suppose sou were out wi
that Bancroftah
"Yes, dear" replied. catching
the straw, Bancroft is a pretty goC
fellow after all. Mabel. He, has
scheme on foot for some real estate i
vestments, and we were talking
over"
"Why. has he any money!" 81
asked in surprise.
ayes, some," / answered, indefinit
ly.
Then he must be of saving d
position" she said. musingly. 'Pt
haps he is better man than though
Tell me something about him, Frank