Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-26

Nl-l frivolous 1t. ena' 'ue
woman might be more speedily advanced.
The desirability of widowhood has been
too long sung in poetry and too well sup
ported by fact to be question in any
body's mind.
Marriage is purely matter of souls.
Bodies, family ties, bread and butter, and
the other sordid considerations that in
times past have been wont to go under the
head of a happy married life-lies, every
one of them.
A lie is Sn-even you, with your little
childish, Christian mind. know that much.
1t follows, therefore. everything about
marriage is sinful but souls.
When woman finds this Quits usual
ly the woman who makes discoveries about
marriage, you know-men are engaged
elSewhere-when a woman finds that, de-
spite the existence around her of what
might be scientifically termed the environ
ment of marriage. her soul is not in it,
then-well, what woman needs to know
then determined to ind out.
In the Lawyers Office.
IF you please, sir, I'd like divorce" 1
said to the lawyer whose great speciality
is divorces, and he never guessed that
speaking to him WAS a woman who had no
interest in his business only as it furthers
the cause of her advancing sex.
Are you sure you want divorce?" said
the lawyer dreamily. surveying me from
eyes before which no woman could be any
thing but all wool and lamb-like.
Perfectly sure, sir; want divorce.
Very well, Them settling inch or
two deeper into the great leather easy
chair he filled. Now, let me ask you
some questions and Well get ahead better.
How long have you been married? How
many children? How old are they? Illus
band support you? Cruel to you? Untrue
to you? Certain of that? I'm! remarkable
man We don't have many like that in
this world. Well, now, all you say is so, Is
it? Then tell me why do you want a di-
vorce"'
Because"
Not Enough for the Court.
"a very good reason. and 1 understand it
perfectly, but I'm afraid it wouldn't go in
court. On what ground would you base
your application for divorce?''
That's what 1 came to you to find out"
1 said. Il thought l might have to fly to
South Dakota"
This merry jest queered me for a minute.
You don't want divorce" said the law
yer, at the same time trying to make out
of me what 1 did want. GU may think
you do he continued, but you don't. 1t
is curious what power a lawyer has to
make or mar the happiness of human be-
ings- 1 sometimes tremble under the re-
sponsbility that is placed upon me.
suppose were TO ADVISE GU wrong, the
happiness of four lives would be wrecked.
Awful and he bowed his head under his
burden moment. Then bobbing up Sc
renely, he went on, Have you thought
what you would do in the event of your
getting a divorce? Have you ever worked
for q living? l thought net. You never
experienced the strain, the loss of energy
consumed in making Il hundred dollars,
did you? How, then, would you expect to
support yourself?
How Make Living:
why, why 1 stammered I'D live on
alimony."
That's simple solution of the problem,
surely. But how do you know you would
get alimony? Here you tell me there is alb
solutely no charge to be made against your
husband, but that he is good and yet you
would take from him his wife and his chill
dren, or would you want the children?
Well. then, you would take from him his
wife and children. spoil his home. his hap
piress and his whole life, and at the same
time expect him to contribute to your sup
port. Would that be fair, do you think?'
We'll, really, l didn't come here to talk
about what is fair, but what is possible.
If 1 couldn't get a divorce with alimony 1
would take one without
and you would support your Self-how"
the lawyer went on. THE court would ask
that, and on the answer you would make
would depend largely the courts judgment
of whether divorce should be granted
YOU
"Oh. that would be all right. I'm sure 1
could earn my own living if 1 tried. But,
anyhow, my father is perfectly able to
support me-
Now. tell me frankly, why do you want
a divorce? One should always be frank
with her doctor and lawyer"
just Wanted One.
IT simply want one. 1 do not care for my
husband, and the perfect development of
ones mind and soul is hindered in mar
riage, unless the husband and wife are per-
fectly sympathetic. The mere living with
a man should in itself be marriage indie
pendent Of vows and legal obligations. My
marriage is not such, and l thought you
could readily tell me whether it would be
necessary for me to go to South Dakota or
somewhere else, or whether you could
manage divorce for me here. Does not
my case come under the head of incOm-
patibility of temper?
Strictly speaking a divorce is never
granted on that ground" said the lawyer,
Though in reality the conditions of in
compatible temper may be so represented
to the court as to secure divorce when
no other ground exists
The Husbands Side.
"But, now taking it for granted that you
mean what you say, accepting no more
than that you do not care for your hus-
band, and fer that reason wish to be free,
let us consider the case from all sides.
There is your husbands. Have you ever
told him You wished a divorce? Suppose
you did so, what would he say?'
probably that / am mistaken. You
know a mans egotism could scarcely be-
lieve, without proof. that woman should
aspire beyond him, If he happens to be
satisfied with her."
.'Um! But do you not think he would be
noved?
Doubtless A man hates to have his
habits interrupted.
DO you not think he would oppose you?-
In his place l know what would do" said
the lawyer.
If you up and said you wanted divorce
from ME, and had given you no cause l
W ould go into court and prove you unfit to
have the care of your children, and 1 would
take them away from you. / would oppose
your divorce bill and force you to continue
my wife, and I'd lose no possible opportuni
ty to show you the full measure of my
righteous Indignation
But you are not my husband. Besides,
/ didn't come TO a lawyer to examine my
conscience. / want divorce, and 1 want
you to tell me how to get it,
We'll anybody who puts conscience out
CT the question and spends money in this
world can usually get what she wants You
fns< c,,1