Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-02

TO. your wife once a week, on pay night
fer four weeks at the end Of that time
report to me. Meantime you are paroled
to your wife II In four weeks your be-
havior is good and you don't find happi-
ness I'll pay for the flowers.
"If you discover that life is real
pleasure" added the Judge, disregarding
everything In the room except O'Neills
puzzled look, IT will discharge you at the
end of the month. Until that time, Mrs
ONeill, he is your prisoner.
Too Much Silence
After the departure of O'Neill and his
wife the mill of justice resumed grinding
it's customary grist. One day Adolp'
Fielder was brought before Judge Cleland'
II was merely a case of 'disorderly con-
duct" as shown by the police records yer
there was such an unwonted crowd III the
court room that it was plain the neigh-
bors and friends of the prisoner were
much interested in the outcome OF MS
arrest.
FEEDERS wife and two daughters were
present as complaining witnesses Inc
testimony disclosed that Fielder was
known as a philosopher. He lived IN
cozy home at IA o'Brien street. put toI
months mad spoken scarcely worn W MS
wife or daughters.
what is the cause of this cruelty to-
ward your family?" inquired Judge Gle
land of Fielder when the prosecution
testimony was all in.
II have nothing to say responded
Fielder. ...
a man who can think as you are reputeu
to think is capable of talking as Wei as
he thinks. Therefore. you are hereby SEN
fenced bv this court. Adolph Fielder, 10
talk to your wife half an hour every gay
for one month. Understand you are SET
free on parole under suspended sen
tence that otherwise might be me
or imprisonment. II at the emu vo,,
month YOU report to the court that you
have executed it's terms you WILL De
discharged from custody; If you nave
not the alternative terms may be I'M
posed"
His First Attempt
The next day the home of Fielder was
besieged by throng, but MIS- feluei
admitted only few intimate lrlehus
She sought to avoid embarrassing 'ne
husband who, by court ORDER was u
unloose his tongue.
o'clock as the time for making his first
COMPULSORY attempt at conversation
with his wife. His helpmeet prepared
for the trial by putting on the table At
10 o'clock a dinner such as she knew
Fielder was fond of. The husband VINO
at the shop is a strong and capaple
machinist albeit silent phllosopleI
at home, ate heartily, but spoke not
word.
After the dinner Fielder drew chair
I'm in front of his wife. His daughters
busied themselves about the house
work. couple of neghbors who had
been invited to the dinner were care
full 20 look the other way.
you wonder why 1 don't talk 10
YOU, wife" began Fielder, then lump
paralyzed his throat. He cast his eyes
to the floor and was silent.
You used to talk to me so beautl-
fully" said Mrs. Fielder, encouragingly.
The lump slipped down Folders
throat and he resumed:
with a little logical deduction said
the philosopher, "a little logical deduc-
ton from surrounding circumstances
you might guess why am uncommuni-
cative You caused me to give up
drink. You noticed at the moment 4
gave up drink stopped talking. inc
conclusion is apparent. 1t was drink
that used to make me as conversational
as I was"
Was that the secret of his silence?I
Mrs Fielder didn't believe it, although
she admitted the coincidence in dates.
: Bring me a glass of water, wife;
feel faint" said Fielder, at this point 1t
lacked ntteen minutes Oh L CloSh'
Mrs. Fielder hurried to the kitchen and
returned with the desired water. Fielder
drank 1t all.
wife, I'm sick; is it l o'clock YETI
Fourteen minutes to one" said the
wife,
you won't tell the judge II 1 stop now
and lie down. will your
Mrs. Fielder assured him that she would
not complain of his silence. Then she
took his arm and gently helped him to
bed.
HE was completely exhausted by the
strain" said the wife, when she returned
to the presence of her daughters and
guests. "I don't know what to do about
It. If It is going to make him i'll to talk,
/ guess I'll go to the Judge and have the
order rescinded. The ordeal was too
much for him"
Papa is a smart man, and used to talk
so delightfully."-" said one of the daugh-
ters to the visitors, but since he's got
to drifting into philosophy he passes all
his time at home in thinking"
Fielder woke up about o'clock.
women are better takers than men,
anyway" he said to his wife.
Encouragement Arrives
Just at that instant the doorbell rang
and an expressman delivered a bundle.