The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-13

Massachusetts has judge who is' in good truth, a second Daniel come 'o judgment Tho other day he was caiieu to pass upon the marital woes Of youiis couple who testified that they led cat and dog life together, and that they coulu cnly agree to disagree. The case com plicated, as divorce cases are apt to pe' by the fact that there were children whom both parents desired to keep ana whom the sather must support In this dilemma. the wise judge advised that in- stead of separating, the waring parties go hack home and see If they could not get along more peaceably with the man occupying the altered status or star boarder, instead of husband.
 The idea IS one so luminous with good. hard common sense that it suggests it's extension, with notifications and altera- tions to fit the case, into other house. holds which are still long ways on the sunny side of the divorce court, but whose bickerings are sufficiently frequent to keep them perpetual storm centers.
 The greatest charm, as well as the greatest misfortune, of family life is its continual association, it's intimacy and lack of reserve. W nen this issue means a love and sympathy so acute that it divines, as if by instinct, our every thought and feeling; when it means comradeship So true and so congenial that it doubles every pleasure and halves our pains, heaven has biven us its best gift, and we may well be thankful for it. When 1t simply means that because a person is kin to us, or married to us, they feel that 1t gives them liberty to offer us insulting criticisms, and tell us unpleasant truths, as they would not dream of doing to a stranger, it can make the family circle about as good an imitation of an unmentionable place as anyone need desire to see. There are m-ny people who reserve their bad man. ners as they do their old clothes, for home wear, and there is no doubt that in many families an elerent of formal ity could be introduced as peace meas ure, with beneficial results.
 From the woman's side of the subject there are various things to recommend a husband in the role of star boarder. For one thing, it offers a satisfactory way of laying that spectre that haunts so much domestic lifeline financial problem. Sor- did as 1t seems, 1t is nevertheless true that the money question is just as dis turbing in the home and just as provoca- tive of a row as it is in national politics. It is Mrs. Benedict's persistent and con- tinual demand for money for the butcher and baker, and candlestick maker, and MT. Benedict's tart replies in consequence, that preeipltates nine-tenths of the argu- ments that end by MT. B. tanning his hat on his head and slamming the front door behind him, and Mrs. B. sobbing cut that she wishes she had never left Ter mo-mo-mother.
 In no other thing are men so unlogical and unreasonable as in the way they treat their wives about money. Every man. worthy of the name, expects to support his family when he gets married. In reality, he probably does not object to doing it. He is perfectly well aware that servants must be paid, supplies for the table purchased, clothes bought, and that children are apparently born for the sole purpose of enriching the shoemaker and the school book publisher. Yet knowing all this, about half the men you know seem to take 1t as a personal injury and grievance when their wives come to them for money for the common family needs. Great snakes, you want wash money again?" they cry What, the ice out again! You need a half dollar to pay for getting Johnny's shoes mended! By George, I believe you think I am made of moneyr' and alas. for human frailty, the woman is more than apt not to return