Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-01
WIVES SEEN BY JEROME
American Women as Viewed by
 English Humorist.
CHARMING AND FOND OF TRAVEL

= United states Whom He Saw In Eu- rope, He Suggests That American
 Husbands Should Cross the ocean 0ccasionaliy to See Their Better | Halves at Their Best.
 American wives and their fondness for travel were the subject of Jerome K. Jeromes gently sarcastic humor tho 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 a private affair" for the members of the club
 Tt was agreed when this engagement was made for me-" Mir. Jerome began, tthat 1t would partake in no way of the nature of an entertainment, and assure you shall live up to the agree ment. If at times 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 well 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 I have gone in Enrope have met thou sands of them. They are all charming. In truth, it seems to me, that if the htis- bands knew how charming they are they would sell out their businesses and go over to Europe, where they might see them nowand 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 1t is to meet thousands of beautiful, cultivated American women. and not a husbdnd among them! Tn Dresden once kn&w fourteen, all living in one little street, with about twenty children among them, and still there wasn't husband or 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.
 ''The question that bothered me was, Is there no way to strengthen them? Their wives are strong and well able to care for themselves. It is splendid the way they bear their sorrow Some widows make fuss, you know, but all of these American widows I met sell dom mentioned the sad subject, and said what a lesson for European wives 1t should be! Then I turned my eyes to the children, and there I saw the se- cret of American success. With what Spartan courage they bore the loss of their fathers! Not q whimper, not a tear! They expressed no more regret thar an. English child would ovefothe loss of a sixpence. 4
 "Absentmindedly once mentioned her father to little girl and asked about his health
 "'He's well,' she said.
 "'Yes,' said, I 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 1t 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 condolence, no sympathetic ear in which to pour out her heart thoughts, and 1 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. I asked her if she didn't miss her hus- band, and she told me not to mention him as 1t made her sad. a19
 "'What did he die off I asked.Haya
 "'Are you trying to break this to me gently, she exclaimed, for if you are say 1t and have it over with
 "Tsn't he deadr I asked
 :" Not that know of, she said He's at home, where he belongs"
 Mir. Jerome read portions from bis latest hook "Idle Thoughts of 1Q06O