The Washington times., 1906-11-13
CHOOSES POVERTY
BY HUSBANDS SIDE
Relatives Cannot Tempt
Wife to Leave Once
Wealthy Man.
HAPPY WHATE'ER BEFALLS
Lodged in Garret of Stove Store, De-
clining Years Spent in Happy
"reminiscences.

NEW YORK. Nov. 13.-Eyeu though
their meager income is derived from
what money her husband can earn run
ming errands and addressing letters,
Mrs. George W. Palmer, wife of a
once wealthy plumbing contractor. re-
fuses 20 accsDI the aid or her wealthy
kin and leave her husband now that
fortune has frowned upon him. With
him and living upon the pitIance he
earns that keeps body and soul together
though they do have TO live in the back
room Of a stove store. Mrs. Palmer de-
clares she is happier than when they
lived In a fashionable hotel and owned
a country home
Palmer less than ten years ago was a
member OF III. firm OF Palmer a PascO
contracting plumbers and dealers in
supplies, but owing 10 a shift in his
fortunes he became wanderer. Al
though they have been obliged TO seek
shelter in Bowery lodging houses and
have often had only the sky for a roof
and a park bench for q resting place
Mrs. Palmer has always remained at
his side. Not many years ago they en-
JOyed an income OF $4,000 year. lived
in the Hotel EndicotJ and had a coun-
try house.
Attention was called on election day
the vote of Mr.. Palmer was challenged.
He had registered ~ living on the first
floor OF 30 West Thirty-sIXth street. a
store. inspectors had visited tie place
ana had taken AZ for granted that no
one could lodge there. Mr., Palmer,
however, convinced them that both he
and his wife lived in the shop, and he
was permitted TO cast his ballot He
Is employed directing envelopes, for he
writes = clear, legible hand. lie also
does errands for shopkeepers IN the
neighb0ThOOd, and thus he provides HIM
self and his wife with food During the
day she is in a branch OF the public
library. where she seeks consolation in
reading the poets.
Mr.. Palmer is slXty-three years old
and his wife three years his junior. He
goes about his tasks however alert
and cheerful. and sometimes "a twinkle
comes into his eyes when he speaks OF
happier DAYS
II was one Of the owners Of a busi-
ness which stood where the Saks build
ing now stands" said he My partner
and / got along well together for years
and Jhen We quarreled and went our
ways. We both failed he cut his
throat, but I am here. 7 have felt that
] ought 10 stick il out 10 the last May
be that takes courage. too; but my
dear wife is with me. although she has
had many invitations from her relatives
10 go to them provided she Will leave
me. But she won't"
THAT I won't" Mrs. Palmer inter
rupted- "I'n never forsake you. George
made my life a dream Of happiness. and
n he must die ia the gutter I'll die by
his side 1t is as the poet says:
"Oh, what IS love for If it is not the
same
Through jog and through torment.
through glory and shame"
Mr. Palmer until five years ago re-
ceived some aid from the master plum
bers. hut recently he has drifted away
from his friends. He says his wife has
an aunt living up the State who has
omered her place as companion If she
would leave him. and that anOther
sister. wife of a wealthy produce mer-
chant. living in Harlem, had made a
similar proposal. She had also de-
clined 70 become an inmate of an old
WOman's home