Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-07-29
A Bachelors Sermon.

Howard Somers is well known New
York lawyer and a good fellow, though
until few months ago it was thought he
was confirmed old bachelor. l recently
dined with him, and afterward the CONVEX
sation turned on an extension of woman's
rights, of which, must confess, / am
strong advocate.
"Womans rights!'' roared Mr.. Somers,
and he laid down his cigar, pulled down
his waistcoat and pulled up his shirt col
lar "Why, sir. women have now more
rights than men, and still they are not
satisfied, and they will not be satisfied so
long as man has right left. l see you
smile at this, but, sir, am right, entirely
right. And, by Jovel l often wish l was
woman.
Here in the state of New York her
legal status is better than mine, excepting
the doubtful right to vote. Why, sir,
women are free to marry or make wills at
an age two years earlier than men. If she
marries her property is hers, free from her
husbands control. Her earnings are her
own, and If her husband does not support
her she can jerk him before a court and
keep him in Jail till he has given security
to provide for her; and all this time she
need not contribute one cent to her hus-
bands support, even If she is rich and he
is destitute. A husband cannot sell real
estate without his wifes consent. while
she can sell her own real estate without
consulting him.
THE husband cannot deprive the wife
of a life interest in one-third his estate,
while she is free to will her property as
she pleases, nor is she required to leave
him cent of money or foot of land.
Further, sir, the New York husband
md is N
sponsible for the wife's misdemeanors II
she commits an assault or a trespass, the
husband must pay the bill or go to Jail.
The wife cannot be imprisoned in any civil
suit while the husband has no such eX-
emption, even where the wrong is of her
doing.
'Such being the state Of affairs, sir, /
ask you if it is not time we downtrodden
men got up and demanded our rights. AS
a matter of fact, the man in this state has
no rights compared with a woman's."
After hearing this TRADE, the truth Of
which could not deny, became more and
more convinced that my friend Somers
was, if not a woman hater, destined to con-
tinue life of single misery. Great, then,
was my surprise on receiving last week
cards announcing the marriage Of my
friend to Mrs. Bowman, a widow lady Of
| whom L ndu nedru uluCH, anu VIII was re-
ported to be beautiful and acco mplished.
Yesterday met Mr.. Somers on Broad
way, looking ten years younger and SEEM
ingly as happy as man well could be.
congratulated him on his marriage and
then jokingly reminded him of his bitter
sermon on the unusual privileges Of women.
"Oh, that's oil right" he said in his
CHEEKY way. Il still stick to what said
took good care not to marry a native OF
New York state, where the wife has more
privileges than the husband. You must
meet Mrs. Somers she's splendid WON
an and foreigner, born in place where
the status of man and woman is as ii
should be, and / am going to live in hel
old home"
"Where is that" l asked, quite sure that
Somers was going abroad.
"Oh," he responded. cher estate is ovel
in Jersey"