The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-11-08
THE TAX ON BACHELORS
By EFFIE W. MERRIMAN.
copyright, 1895, by the Author.l
CHAPTER 1.

was unusually high, and genial Tom
Wainwright was disposed to evade it, If
possible. 1t was due Oh the first day of
the new year, and Miss Alice Griggs
had rejected him early i'll May. 1t was
now the middle of November, and as more
than six months had elapsed since that
rejection lie knew it would not be rec
ognized in the eyes of the law as a suffi-
cient reason why he should not be taxed.
He had given no other young lady an
opportunity to say "No, an oversight
which he regretted now.
In the state where he lived there was
law to the effect that every bachelor
should be taxed who could not show a
written rejection or in other ways give
proof that he had proposed matrimony
to some eligible young lady and had
been refused within period of six
months. 1t was determined to resort to
every lawful means to break up the un-
married condition which forced SO many
women to compete with men in the
labor market. Taxes were levied in ac-
cordance with the eligibility of the
| anu tll0 1AOuOy oSl1NCu
from was used in the support of unpro-
tected women.
Tom Wainwright, being 80 years of
age, handsome, prosperous and i'll every
way able to care for wife, had for five
years been obliged to pay tax which
he considered out of all reason. Not
only that, but he knew that for the next
ten years the tax would be steadily in
creased. He had on several occasions
evaded it by engaging himself to some
attractive maiden, then, when the dam
ger OF taxation was past for that year,
causing a quarrel which resulted i'll his
dismissal, but the authorities had be-
come suspicious, and Tom had reason
to believe that another such event would
be closely investigated. Clearly he must
find some new and yet plausible way to
evade the tax on bachelors this year or
deprive himself of many luxuries which
he was sure he could not do without.
Down at his clubhouse his friends
were entertaining guest from abroad,
and Tom ought to have shed the light
of his cheerful smile ON the scene. He
knew very we'll that the fellows never
enjoyed themselves quite SO well when
he was absent, but he felt in no mood
for merrymaking tonight. He donned
dressing gown and slippers, set box of
choice cigars on the table, which he push
ed close beside the open CRATE; then,
throwing himself into his most inviting
easy chair, gave himself to the problem
which confronted him. He had thought
of no feasible solution when, the guest
from abroad having been sufficiently
entertained, Tom was joined by Sander
Ridgway, his most intimate club friend.
"What's up, old fellow?" asked
Sander, helping himself to an easy
chair and cigar. "We missed you at
the club. -
81 was too stupid to make decent
appearance, so preferred to remain at
home. Have good timer"
"Tiptop! wish you could have met
that fellow, Tom. What ails you. any
how? You look decidedly morbid"
81 feel morbid Business has been
dull the past year, and it is almost time
for that confounded matrimonial tax "
"You must have big one to pay to
make you look llkQ THIS,
cit was So, 600 last year, and it will
| be heavier this. Confound such law,
anyhow | believe it would be better to
let women scratch for themselves, as
they used to do in the good old days of
our grandmothers -
"Oh, I don't know about that
Women's work cheapens labor, you
| Uhat ic XVbu rho f.
rimonial tax became law. And, after
all, you would not like to see women
obliged to care for themselves 1t would
look very bad for the men,
81 know it, Sander. l presume I'm
selfish, but, really, this tax is as hard
to pay as Il Doctors bill. "
"Then why don't you marry? You
could support wife on $5, 900 year. "
81 have not yet seen any one who
was worth the price of my freedom.
No, thank you, Sander. I'd rather pay
the money and live alone. But don't
see just where the money is to come
from. There's the rub. shall be oblig-
ed to take a cheaper room. discharge my
valet, take meals at a second class res
taurant and smoke 5 centers."
"That's where the law gets in its
work, my boy. By steadily increasing
pressure of self denial it hopes
"IJ is outrageous"
'It gives you a choice. For my part
prefer matrimoDy."
"Is that fact?'
"It is. "
"Who is the young LADY,"
"Miss Alice Griggs."
"O,h-h-h Ahem Is that's that
why she refused me?"
81 presume it had something to do
with it. my boy. She is very sensible
young lady"
"Tastes differ. However, l think she
is. I congratulate you, Sander. You
6 know, of course, that there was no seri-
GUS lovemaking between as. "
'To be sure. Alice said she suspected
that you were fishing for refusal, and
so she accommodated you.
81 wish had not given her the op-
portunity to accommodate me quite SO
early in the season. 1t might have
helped me out of this difficulty had /
been less premature with my proposal.
Tom did not choose to have it known
that he had been so carried away by the
charms of the lovely Alice that he had
proposed without a thought of the con-
sequences. 1t was mistake which he
did not make very often. He almost en-
We'd Sander, but he did not propose to
have that known either. He was glad