Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-06-13
THE pEACEMAKER.
Wilmington Young Woman writes Prize
story.

Mics Geneva v. wolcott Of this city,
winner Of q prize in the short story
composition conducted by the Philadel.
phin Evening Telegraph, contributed
the following story III the competition:
1t is dreary night, and think /
shall remain at home, although 1t is q
positive punishment for me to do so.
As l beat with drumming regularity
on the window pane, | wonder what ia
the use OF living anyhow? Surely life
does not offer SO, much, nor is the
quality Of what 1t does offer SO good
that men should cling to /: with bull
dog tenacity. Not finding salts
factory solution to my self directed
problem, begin to take an inventory
OF my lack Of Blessings. In the first
place, have seen every clay worth
looking at this season; the club has
grown mono;op Jus; night after night
] meet the same fellows: it Ia d game
or two, cigar, brandy aud soda,
little seasonable gossip, the came thing
over again--then, as a last resort,
home. sit down, pick up the paper
and prepare to read. My dog comes
over, sticks his nose between my
knees, and says, in his eloquent canine
way, Am SO glad you arc gong to
remain here tonight p"
AS his great intelligent eyes look up
into mine tnot so Intelligent, | fearl.
feel a slight prick az remorse.
Hello. old fellow; when was com.
planning forgot yon." Rovers tail
hegins to wag and as proceed to pour
| out my woes he wakes more appre
eiativo, aud proses 1t by wagging hall
his body.
Yves, cd Niend," 90 on; life is
a dull, monotonous affair; the senses
are too soon satiated; wine, women and
sorg are alike in some resi- eets, different
/ 10 Others Wine nnd'woipsp intosicato
i for o. while. then sicken, finally leaving
fellow in a state OF penitence; song
trows stale and Tat and loses its power
to soothe.''
At this iuncture my vito enters tho
room and | add few remarks for her
benefit Continuing, say; Wives arc
charming for while, hut the novelty
wears oil, as in all else. Befnre mar
riage they employ every effort to attract
men until they manage to enyeiyle
they lapse back into their natural con.
dition. What strain it must be for q
woman to assume n yivRcity until she
has landed her fshY Why is it women
are such sticks? Why has the Almighty
made them'so insipid. SO uncompanion
able? II they we're only lively, versatile,
and knew how to entertain their hus.
bands, cluhhouses would all be to lot,
playhouses would close for lack Of NAL,
attendance, and the men themselre!
would experience positive delight il
the society OF their wives. But no
Rover they sit down in the evening
heave a Sigh, take up some knitting
rock and knit, knit and rock, and ex
peot man TO be highly entertained
Once in a while they vary the monoton,
by making come foolish remark oil
asking a senseless question. All, me
Rover, old boy, | don't wonder 81
many married mems bodies are fount
floating in sti cams, or 90 many hus
bands, in moments of desperation
prefer to puncture their gray matte
rather than to drag along their allotted
three score and ten years In oompan.
: with n sample Of female insipidity. d.
= you agree with me, old fellow"
.. Wag, wag, Rover's tail; rock, rock
my wife'a chair. She Is taking th
lesson to heart. l hope no, at least
, 1t Is about timo somebody took stant
and asserted the whole masculine race
Z Rover is evidently getting tired Of hi
position He wrenches his nasal orga
/, from between my knees aud goes owe
! to my wife. He ways his tail an
: whines knowingly, saying, as plRinl
. as words can ever say;
NOW, madam, you have taken you
a medicine, and although 1t may be
: bitter dose, ! sincerely hope it ma
prove beneficial. just see the state
I which you have reduced your patient
y long.suffering husband by your cor
n slant rocking and Knitting, your stupi
= remarks and senseless interrogationl
= For ahame!'
4 When Rover deserts me and goes owe
D to the enemy | begin 10 read. Theirs
D nothing in the papers, any moro. Whl
!. the deuce is the Use OF spending gop
a money for them? May 40 we'll thro
k 1t in the sewer. | glance at the spor
o ing page and as l take in the bare
3 arms Of tile burly fellows POSED
"a attitudes of manly self-deIence, | het
a q soft voice saying;
4 "Royer, you are getting TO be an o.
RI dog do you realize itY l fear not, (,
q saw you today chasing cat over I'll
n back ienoe with lack of dignity
IA never expected to witness in dog
your rearing.
Rover wags his tail, quite proud
3 the fact that he chased Sir Fe!in
She goes on: "Dp you remember YOU
u puppyhood?" Oh, yes. he remembe
it, ii short, sharp bowwDws are an il
.. dicatIon. "You were q remarkab
7. pup, saucy, fat, frolio5one, and goo
r. nstured. Surely you remember he
4 jealous you used to be when two man
y. arms embodied me. and tendon, loyil
y voice called ms his Maid Marion
i. '0h,e Rover, chow voices change al
l. arms weaken as the years go. byI' .
l catch myself neglecting the spol
il ing page, but as she resumes contin
- to gaze at the half-naked pugilists.
~ And, Rover, OLD fellow, do you I
1n member how We three used to ia
~ long walks in the evenings, sometim
entering into q friendly lace, but 20
you rogue, took such long leaps th
the ether two contestants were fore
to drop out and give the victory
=. you. Those were happy days, but a
et and the dignity age produces admit
no such amusement nuw;a that is W
m felt SO Inundated when / saw v
,ss chasing that cat Wemust try to grl
old gracefully. aa y
as Royer's tail is almost wageed @
a Seemingly he understands all she ga,
She pauses for n moment and then ga,
in o choking voice:
he "And, Rover, do you remember VIII
Tor the baby came, what precious bunt
he of loveIiness 1t was. You did not SCI
,n pleased that old iealously came aga
I Don't look ashamed now, for j
- atoned. i can mover forget how \
vi used to watch the cradle while I \
lel hnnr With mr. liitln hnIiaah ND d ifn /