The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1905-12-13
WIVES SEEN BY JEROME
American Women as Viewed by
English Humorist.

While Describing MatrOns From the
United States Whom He Saw In Eu-
rope, He Suggests That American
Husbands Should Cross the Ocean
Occasionally to See Their Better
Halves at Their Best.
American wives and their fOndness
for travel were the subject Of Jerome
X. Jerome's gently sarcastic humor the
other evening in Chicago when he spoke
before the Twentieth Century club at
the residence of Mrs. c.. T. Boal, says
the Chicago Tribune. The meeting was
private affair" for the members of
the club.
at was agreed when this engagement
was made for me-" Mr.. Jerome began,
"that it would partake in no way of
the nature of an entertainment, and l
assure you l shall live up to the agree
ment. If at times l forget myself ask
that you pardon me-"
He expressed regret that he was not
fully prepared to address the club on
some serious" subject, as he had been
warned that Americans liked to receive
information, but he explained that he
could think Of no subject about which
they are not we'll informed, and he
had concluded to talk to them about
travelling.
"You Americans are fond of travel"
he said slowly, as he stroked his chin.
especially your wives. Wherever
have gone in Europe 1 have met thou
sands of them. They are all charming.
In truth, it seems to me, that if the hus-
bands knew how charming they are
they would sell out their businesses and
go over to Europe, where they might see
them now and then.
'When first began to travel receiv-
ed an impression that this country
must be very deadly place to live in
for husbands. How sad it is to meet
thousands of beautiful, cultivated
American women, and not a husband
among them! In Dresden 1 once knew
fourteen, all living in one little street,
with about twenty children among
them, and still there wasn't husband
or a father. The American husbands
seem to be a delicate type. The wonder
is that their mothers ever raised them.
They marry nice girls, raise two or
three children, and then there seems to
be no further use for them.
1.-THE question that bothered me was,
is there no way to strengthen them?
Their wives are strong and well able
to care for themselves. 1t is splendid
the way they bear their sorrow. Some
widows make fuss, you know, but all
of these American widows l met sell
dom mentioned the sad subject, and l
said what a lesson for European wives
it should be! Then | turned my eyes
to the children, and there l saw the Sc
cret Of American success. With what
Spartan courage they bore the loss Of
their fathers! Not whimper, not a
tear! They expressed no more regret
than an English child would over the
loss of a siXpence.
"Absentmindedly 1 once mentioned
her father to a little girl and asked
about his health.
"'He's WE'LL she said.
Yes l said, 1 am sure he is happy
and some day you will go to see him in
that better land
"'Oh, yes, mammals getting tired Of
this one horse show was her answer,
and it touched me to think Of the ten
der pathos Of the dear woman being re-
signed to give up the pleasures of this
life to rejoin her beloved above.
There was one breezy creature who
seemed to have no friends to offer her
coincidence, no sympathetic ear in
which to pour out her heart thoughts,
and l resolved to give her mine. To
my questions she said she had lived
abroad four years, but that she was
not lonely, as she had the children and
her friends, the opera and the concerts.
| asked her if she didn't miss her hus-
band, and she told me not to mention
him as it made her sad.
"What did he die Off asked.
care you trying to break this to me
gently she exclaimed, for If you are
say it and have it over with
Isn't he dead? 1 asked.
"'Not that 1 know Of she said.
He's at home, where he belongs"
Mr.. Jerome read portions from his
latest book, idle Thoughts of 1905"