The Washington herald., 1907-03-17

mORy Provided for Better Half.
Inquiries that pour into Boston news
paper Offices. says a dispatch TO the New
York Herald, prove that there is wide
spread interest in the case OF the Rev
Charles H Puffer. a distinguished Uni
vcTsaIist minister, OF Salem. and Mrs
Eleanor H. Puffer. his wife, who have
agreed to live apart for a period Of three
full years. at the termination Of which
trial divc4ce they VIII proceed 10 the
State courts and have their amicable
separation made legal-provlding they Go
not change their minds
This unique experiment OF Mr. Puner
and his wife is said TO be the most novel
attempt to solve the problem Of connu-
bial infelicity ever tried in New England.
To make the experiment binding, the
minister and his wife have consulted two
distinguished local attorneys and have
/ both voluntarily affixed their signatures
to an agreement, which, as IN the case Of
la lease or any similar contracting docu-
ment. stipulates three full years as the
duration Of the compact
/ Mr and Mrs. Puffcr mutually unite IN
( Affirming that they viii live aparS during
the time specified; that a divorce shall
not be sought until the end Of that time.
and that neither shall say q mean OF IN
kind thing about the other.
| On Mr.. Puffers part, he avOws that he
will pay So for each month that passes
10 his wife. and in case Il divorce IS I'm
ally granted be stipulates that Mrs. Pull
! fer shall have 5000 in clean cash as quit
claim
Mr.. Puffer. who stiH regularly dis
courses upon theology to the fashionable
gatherings at his church each Sunday,
and who holds a reputation enviable
and above reproach in Salem. is averse 10
much publicity concerning the unique
plan which he and his wife have adopted
10 fathom their affections.
This is all that he will say at present
concerning the friendly disag agreement:
SuppositiOus Case.
"Supposing man had lived with his
mother-we will say-for thirty years, and
then suddenly he should move away and
leave her and set up house for himself
''The logical inference would be that
the two did not agree. The son might
still continue 20 support his mother and
be mindful Of her interests and welfare,
but both mother and son might realize
chat serious misunderstanding We're 10
be avoided only by dwelling apart
The publics version Of the experiment.
however. might implicate reasons which
would be Gistasteful 10 both, and erron-
eOus as we'll
Il do not like to discuss the reasons for
our separation, it being purely an ar
E..a-
Mr. Puffer is one OF Jpe best known
preachers among Univegsaiist divines in
New England. and this Sudden rift in the
matrimonial lutte, while the cause OF
much speculation and surprise among his
many friends and parishioners. has not
altered his relations with MS church. and
he still continues his pastOTate while liv-
ing apart from Mrs. Puffer
On the other hand. Mrs PUner has al
ways been regarded as the pastors clos
est assistant as well as a deeply affec-
tionate wife. and during the twenty-five
Years OF her welded life has taken d
warm interest in all church matters, as
sistinS IN Sunday school work and being
well known as a lecturer on literary and
social subjects
Both Deeply Affected.
Personally. the minister is a little under
medium height. with gray eyes, reddish
mustache sandy hair and somewhat
given TO rotundity. When speaking upon
the subject Of separation from his wife
he eyinees the profOundest regret both
in manner and words, and this plainly ap-
parent grief has been the cause Of many
of his friends laying the blame upon Mrs.
Puffer.
The latter, however. also betrays much
feeling over what has occurred.
This IS what she says.
Il would do nothing that would harm
DR. Puffer In the eyes Of his parishioners,
nor would ! have II understood that I
have deserted him. Il was a mutual
agreement. that IS all.
Mrs Puffer is OF a pleasing personality.
with handsome features and deep, lus-
tTous eyes. She IS somewhat younger =
than her husband and has been regarded
is one Of the most charming matrons I'm
the Witch City.
Since the day of separation she has
been residing with friends in Brookline,
and up 20 the present time has continued,
as has her husband. TO keep strictly TO
the letter of their agreement
The matteT-Of-factness of this trial di-
vorce" has been compared By the couples
mutual friends in Salem to that OF a we'll
known histTionic pair. a few years ago.
after having lived happily together for
some time. and then found that love was
waning, this couple met at the dinner
table one evening. and after a consider
able silence, the wife remarked.
Dream Shattered.
We'll, Jack, I'm afraid the gilt has all
worn off of our dear little idol"
And Jack, looking up with smile, re
piled;
Yes. Marion dear. I'm afraid It has"
so We won't try to cherish it any long
err" also smiling
NO, Marion"
And without further comment the next
morning Jack assisted Marion to pack
up her luggage and le took her TO the
station, purchased her ticket
for Oklahoma. solicitously kissed her
yood-by. with a smile, and Marion steamed
away West TO obtain the decree as soon
as an expedi ous law would permit
Neither was quite sure that after twenty
two years they could DO without the other
for the remainder of life. but they decided
to see just what would be the result of
a little unique experiment.
1t was quite problematic. They felt that
three long years without word from
each other. without a smile OF an ex-
change OF friendship, would settle the
question Of the future.
Youthful Detective.
From the Youth S C0rnranio1