The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-05-28
A MADE" MONSTER.
Otherwise, George Bancroft, Room
IL, No. 20 Staunton Place.

About four years ago | became tee
husband of very charming girl in one
of our Eastern seaboard cities. In nv
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
a dark brunette. 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. I 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 | was vicious, but | loved the
company of good fellows. Late hours
had peculiar fascination for me, and
the pop OF a champagne cork fired me
rs 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 a married one. Like many
another, l had difficulty in adjusting
myself to the changed condition of af-
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 pleasant walk. Our
household consisted simply of Mabel,
myself and a servant. l was then en-
ployed as a be keeper in 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
SIN. After work had fallen into the
habit of playing billiards with some of
the clerks for a couple of hours, by
which time some of the San 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, 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 at
home for month began to drift back
into the old routine and pleaded an in
crease of business to Mabel as an ex-
for. LOT L Il Al.
ually. Now and then qualms of con-
science would conquer force of habit,
and | 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 af-
lection for my wife diminished. On
the contrary, it increased. l 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 a subtle force back to the bows.
All this, though, was as nothing COM
pared to the actual downfall that be-
gan one nightin May. / recall it shud-
deringly, hesitatingly, awesomely. AS
entered our gate an unusual light in
the bedroom warned me that Mabel
was waiting for me, and shut my lips
tight between annoyance and contri-
ton as | looked at my watch and saw it
was after twelve. found her in tears.
so, Frank" she sobbed, II am very
unhappym
Not unhappy with me, are you,
Mahel?n / asked
''No, no." she said, ''but unhappy
because am without you so much. /
am Suroit can not be business that
keeps You out at these awful hours. o,
Frank, tell me, what is il kept you so
latePn
"Well, Mabel" l answered, feeling
1t useless to resort to the old story,
'the fact is met friend OF mine who
is something of bore, aud he held me
IN conversation for a couple of hours.n
''Who was he9n
Bancroft, / said desperately, using
the first name that came in my mind,
ga fellow named George Bancroft"
what does he do?n
| felt that l was in for it and told her
he was the accountant at Reeds tea
store. There were few more tears,
but her suspicious were lulled and
peace was declared. | went to sleep,
blush to say it, with sort of guilty
satisfaction that / had done a smart
thing Little did dream of the preci-
pice on which was treading.
A few nights afterwards, when Twas
late again, Mabel met me with the in
quiry: Il suppose you were out with
that Bancroftp"
Eyes, DEAR" Ireplied, catching at
the straw, Bancroft is pretty good
fellow after all, Mabel. He has
scheme on foot for some real estate in
vestments, and we were talking it
over.
why, has he any moneyPn she
asked in surprise.
Yes, some,n l answered, Indefinite
ly.
''Then he must be of saving dis
position, she said, musingly. Per
haps he is a better man than thought
Tell me something about him, Frank. "
why, what do you want to know,
dear, l replied, feebly.
"Where does he livepn
''He has a room at-at-20 Staunton
place; No. u, believe" Ichose Staun-
ton place upon the inspiration of the
moment because it was long distance
from where we lived and consisted of
only two short blocks, so was quite
sure Mabel would never find or pene-
trate them To my great relief she
did not pursue her Investigations fur
ther, but threw me into CONSERVATION
at the table next day by looking at me
wistfully and saying:
Frank, | am quite curious about
your friend, Mr.. Bancroft. Does he
look like youp'
an !, 4 ~a.I o..--...a. Il.