Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-20
THEY DIDN'T AGREE
30 They Concluded to Get on 1nde-
pendently of Each Other.
MATRIMONIAL PROBLEM SOLVED
By . Pittsburg Couple Who Recommend
Their Plan to the Single.
THEY PADpLED THEIR OWN CANOES
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH I

the marriage problem, a kind of medium
between the extremes of bachelorhood and
maidenhood and the incongruities and woes
so often incident to the marriage institutions
of to-day. They think they have found
way by which each can be disciples of that
most solemn biblical injunction to wed and
still each retain independence, By the new
compact they think they can better cause
marriage to be what 1t was primarily in
tended, mutual companionship, a co-part-
nership of allied interest, each to assist the
other and be helpmates in all that pertains
to life without either being under any great
obligationt to the other and each being indie
pendent in thought and action.
IF the stand is somewhat Of deviation
from the biblical Interpretation Of mar
riage, it is at least near the modern ideal.
They wished to keep the marriage contract
and still correct those things which had not
made marriage altogether agreeable and in
sympathy with the present age of inde-
pendence, the advancement of women in
worldly vocations and the increased inclina-
tion of men to be unhampered in their
movements.
Not Fair to Give Names.
It would not be fair to give the names Of
the persons, though to do so would add very
materially to the value of this article. Both
are well known. not only in Allegheny and
Pittsburg but in the section surrounding.
The man is well-known in financial and
business circles, holding an enviable posi-
tion of trust and honor. The woman, were
her name to be spoken, would be recognized
in a moment as one who has long figured
prominently in society circles and who
has done much for, sweet charity's sake AS
permission could not possibly be obtained
to use the names, the reader must be con-
tent with the story, relying on the SIM
cere truthfulness of the narrator-after all
among the thousands of humanity, why is
name necessary?
The arrangement is one Of partnership, if
you please, or a mutual understanding to
proyide against any contention and to per-
fectly insure the independence of each party
as far as money matters apd the usual do
mestic arrangements are concerned. The
husband deviates from the marriage vow in
not promising to dole out cash whenever his
wife asks for it and the wife does not stipu-
late to obey cher lord" and be his legal
slave, as the law, strictly. enforced, can now
be interpreted. She is still wife, but a
modern Interpretation OF the term such as
great writers have long dreamed about.
The Usual Plan Wouldn't Work.
The pair commenced their married life in
the usual way, and for two years followed
in the footsteps of many others who had
taken the "fatal STEP before them. At
that time he had Just enough of the worlds
goods to star. nicely in business; not, now
ever, without the usual reverses. She had
little money Of her own, but very little.
They had neat and tastily arranged home,
elegantly furnished, and appeared to the
world to be happy and contented pair, but
they were not She had mind of her own
as we'll as he; she was we'll educated and
conversant with modern ideas, and there
fore it was not at all strange that their
natures clashed.
He was not of pugnacious disposition,
but was rather inclined to say nothing when
things did not go to please him and let his
wife have her own way in great measure.
Still there was not bond of sympathy be-
tween them; in short they were estranged,
one from the other though each in their in
nermost thoughts loved the other. She
liked dress and was none too careful in her
expenditures. Her husband at times ex-
postulated a little with her but her checks
were always honored; not, however, without
making great inroads upon her husbands
funds. And, too, he could not complain
much because he spent much money fool
ishly and was, in fact, too good natured to
save.
Finances of the Married State.
The result was that, aside from the do
mestic estrangement, he as we'll as she be-
came aware of the fact that they were not
saving anything, but were spending money
broadcast without it bringing happiness.
She did not have much confidence in his
business abilities, and he less in hers until
an awakening time came.
At last, like sensible persons and in har-
mony with the spirit of arbitration now
sweeping over the country, they had a long
talk over their troubles He blamed her
with spending all the money, and she said
he was the spendthrift, and if it wasn't for
her things would 90 to crash. And then
other little differences came up, but were
finally smoothed over something on the
plan of "Betsey returns the papers" with
some notifications. At last, just before
leaving her, he said: .'eI'll tell you what
I'll do. I'll give you half of all the money
1 receive, and you can paddle your own
canoe and 1 will mine. But, when give
you half the money, you shall not have an
other cent. You must buy all your own
Clothes pay your part of the household ex-
penses, pay your own theater bills, and in
fact be perfectly Independent of me. Then
we will see who spends the money"
ItJust Suited the Wife.
"All right" said she, 'T will take you at
your word. Suppose you try it Just for
two months and we will see how it works.
Maybe you will be sick of your bargain"
The compact was agreed to, and assumed
practical form by a regular written agree
ment signed by each. The trial straight
way commenced and shortly developed into
more than was at first thonght of. He
changed the location Of his business and
left her to sell off the things, thinking it
better to buy anew. This she did to good
advantage, showing keeness and bus mess
perception that surprised him. She got
twice as much for the house furnishings as
he had anticipated.
They came to Pittsburg, where he COM
menced business again on salary, half of
which he gave her regularly. They boarded
for the first month and then rented suite
of rooms in Allegheny and furnished them
gradually, she paying half of the expense.
At the end of the first month she found that
she had little or no balance in her accounts,
but he had saved considerable money. Shes
then became more careful with her pur-
chases, and as she said recently Looked
twice at the price and number of yards in
G dress pattern before she purchased it. -
She found it was different paying for
thing out of her own pocket than merely
satisfying her own desires and letting her
husband pay the bills. Then again, she
found that not near as many ribbons, fans,
boDbons, ETC., were necessary for her real
comfort and happiness.
Gave the Purse Strings q Twist.
Therefore, she frightened her purse strings
and commenced lessons on financial and
judicious business methods to the end that