Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-18
CAUSE FOR DIVORCE.
fCopYright, i805.l

vOrce was fmminent.
1t all oamo about In this way: Ethel
was confirmed and insatiate bargain
hunter. OF course did not know this be-
forc married her. but, alas, knew 1t to
my cost very soon afterward.
This may sound like slight cause for
divorce proceedings, but the man who
thinks so never had wifo who haunted
bargain counters. That much Is clear to
mo.
Ono night when oamo home from tho
office she threw parcel into my lap.
1850 what bought for you, Jack" sho
said glecfully. II felt awfully queer when
was getting 1t because, you know,
never had any brothers or any one to buy
that sort OF thing for, but 1t was such a
bargain couldn't resist"
Tho "sort Of thing" which she had
bought was somo underwear Of kind 1
mover wore and two sizes too small.
"Now, don't you bother your head over
my clothes, Pussy" I said, trying to look
pleased and at tho samo time endcavoring
to gently hint that preferred doing my
own purchasing. "I'm sure" added,
"you have enough to do to attend to your
own"
ooh, but like to buy things for you.
It's u new sensation, Jack. 1t makes mo
feel so much married."
It made mo feel so, too In different
way. But what could sayp
A fow days aker this she looked up from
the bureau drawer she was laying over. "
"Why, Jack, You haven't put those on
yet, l." sho said, taking up tho underwear.
"No, it's too thin yot, dear, ;" said,
"My darling, they aro just as thick as
those you arc wearing" sho protested.
l promised to put them on tho next
morning. l did Thoy stretched over my
anatomy tighter than a flddlestring over
its bridge. They cramped my lungs
trussed UP my arms and choked mo I'M
mcroifully. They were thinner than my
others, and caught u frightful cold. But
Ethel mover laid 1t to tho underwear, SO l
suffered In silonce-that is, when wasn't
coughing or sneczlng
Tho next thing she bought mo was a
dozen pairs Of socks. They were gorgeous
In color and gaudily clicked and ombrod-
cred and had boon out of style for year.
Just think, dear, what bargain !"
she exclaimed. "Why, got them all for
just about what you pay for two pairs"
/ groancd, this time, fear, nudibly.
had always becn considered a correct
dresser. Those socks would be the death.
blow to my reputation.
aren't they just little bright"
gaspcd.
"Oh, not at ALL" she answered cheer.
fully. II wish could wear them"
wished so too But there was no os
cape. went and bought a pair Of high
shoes to cover them and suffered through
July and August In consequence.
Tho next great bargain that she hunted
mp for me was some outing shirts. They
were great deal too largo and all q deli
cato pale blue.
"Couldn't you get some other color?"
asked.
"No, they were all tho Same. That:
why I got them so cheap, suppose. But
did you over see such q barRainY"
I mentally answered that I hoped
never would see another such one, but
rcfrained from hurting her feelings.
am Of the very dark type, and knew
how would look in those shirts. The TO
suit fully justified the conviction. My
complexion took on grcenish lemon hue
My best friend asked mo II I hadn't lit
Ito touch Of tho jaundioe and oven my
family physician wanted to glvo mo some
thing for my liver,
Well, tho climax camo when Etho
brought mo home some nccktios sho hat
bought for 90 cents.
! roso up and rebelled. Sho said hel
mother had always told her old bachelors
wero cranky but she never would believe
| 1t. / resented tho imputation Of old bach
elor. was only 30 tho day boforo wa
married We had dreadful quarrel, ant
Ethel said she would go home to her moth
| -. a.
quarrel blow over, but sho went right OF
haunting tho bargain counters, and VIVA
WINS worse the most Of her prizes wero 70
mo.
1t was about this time that confldet
my fears Of the divorce court to AL Stod
dard, my confidential friend. He wa
deeply affected with my sad condition ant
suggested n remedy.
"I'll get my wife to help you" he said.
A few days after this brought up few
parcels from the Office.
Something for you, dear. And sucl
bargains!" l said, putting them in he
lap. Thoro was blouse waist of tho vint
age Of $685. some cheap lace collars and
pair Of green gloves several sizes too large
/ saw her blank face with a sort O
brutal Joy.
"Oh, Jack, why did you get thcse?" sh
asked.
They were so cheap" said brightly
land / know you will wear them, or
shall feel hurt, because ! thought wa
pleasing you."
dreadful thing that Mrs Stoddard had sc
cured for mo. l was reckless of expense
tho cure only worked,
l nvn lot. =, xlo yo.e
rather, q collection Of straws. 1t was
bonnet, out Of date, cheap and in just tn
style that Ethel never wore.
"Isn't it buter" exclaimed In the OK
ubcrance of my demoniao Joy as lifted
out Of the bex.
"Oh. jack" cried Ethel In tone G
grief and despair that would at any othe
timo have moved me to tears. "Ho,
could your
"Why, dear, it was such bargain; tn
expense was noxt to nothing. You aro a.
ways so thoughtful about buying IN
things and so sharp about bargains.
am not going to be outdono by you,"
answered with assumed innocence.
Then there was soeno. put on tn
hurt air, and it came near being serious
II want you to stop buying things fo
vorce," sho CRIED
II want you to stop buying things fo
me, or I'll get one," I retortcd.
Ethel looked at mo In queer, bowl
dored way. Then sho came to mo and pu
out her hand. "Jaok, IL think undel
stand. You-you have been curing me.
didn't know was making you unhappy
T.
But didn't let her shy any moro fc