The Washington herald., 1908-02-16

away with every pound OF tea or the
Sunday newspaper It's because marriage
always has been given away free, instead
OF being held at a premium, that its go
ing out of fashion. When eheesecloth was
first invented smart people used 70 make
frocks of il; but now that its only
cents a yard they use IL for dishcioths.
What everybody can get nobody wants.
It's the thing We can't AFFORD that we
always sigh for and value when We do
get IT, If matrimOny was more difficult
to get into, we wouldn't be SO anxious to
get ont of It. What we need is not more
anu-dlvorce laws. but a few anti-mar-
riage laws that would make people think
twice before they got married once. Ana
then, as for divorce''-the Bachelor Girl
waved her hand over the whole sex prob
lenl-"there wouldn't be any,
Wouldn't be any?" The Mere Man
looked disappointed.
Not if only the right sort Of people
were allowed 10 marry only the right sort
OF people" returned the Bachelor Girl
confidently. Resides she added rails
ing the price and the difficulties Of dl-
vorce viii only make it more fashionable.
The best way TO make it unpopular would
be TO make it so cheap that every servant
Hlll tOHGn nave llFf ACNANC "a @AtiSN '---N-
hanging on the wall
And then" declared the Mere Man.
no real lady would be caught with one
around the house"
"Of course" agreed the Bachelor Girl,
divorces would go out of fashion as
quickly as flare hats and spotted
wells. If husbands and wives were
as difficult 10 get and as easy to
get rid Of as a good cook. we'd all treat
them with the same Difference and con-
sideration that we now show TO the lady
Of the kitchen. Instead of being anxious
TO part with them. we'd be afraid OF los
ing them. It's because the cords Of mat
rimony bind too tight that We long to
break them. If they just hung round us
I'm casual slip-knot, that was easily
slipped. we'd be holding them on with
both hands"
Yes" aCquiesced the Mere Man eager
", If ell a man had 10 do was 10 go
down and set divorce license as he now
does a marriage license, his wife would
be q little more particular about having
the dinner hot when he got home, and
putting on her best fTOck and curling her
hair and holding her tongue and her tenn
per and the baby"
And If all q woman had 10 DO WAS 10
give notice when she wanted 20 resign
her position her husband would think
twice before he joined a club, or refused
her a new hat, or went around without
his collar. If marriage were more of a
privilege and less Of a duty, and hus-
bands and wives were just leased out on
probation or good benavIor, we'd treat
them as carefully as we do a borrowed
book or a borrowed punch bowl"
Instead of like an old shoe or the
family door mat, finished the Mere Man.
And vet" he added, with "A sigh Of sat
isfaction, ITS nice 10 think that all
chap has to do In order 10 get the girl he
wants is to slip around TO the City
Hall"
Then why have YOU never done it2'
demanded the Bachelor Girl. pushing
back her pompadour and sitting up sud
denly with a challenging glance.
Il don't know. began the Mere Man,
lamely. "becduse-because--'
Il do,' retorted the Bachelor Girl.
For the same reason that people who
live in New York never go TO Brooklyn.
and people who live in South Chicago
never go TO North Chicago-because it's
too easy"
What"
AoCtftttS- tA hitFW pei lENktN wei LllfiA
ne City Hall and the license viii always
be accessible and waiting. But II they
We're as expensive and as hard to get at
as Europe or South America or the
north pole you'd he saving your money
and making your plans this minute
Il am" broke in the Mere Man, des-
perstely- I have been for years
For years2'
ttFsgt the Ttisnr a QIvrqEG change -
Change"
with tae girl" explained the Mere
Man. And every time they put a new
nril in the door Of divorce I get n new
inspiration to-stay on the safe side. %
and he lit a cigarette, shuddering
And yet" sighed the Bachelor Girl,
pensively, studying her patent leather
toes ON the fender, only last night you
were coaxing me"
4 wasn't protested the Man. with
apprehension in his eyes.
You were trying 70 persuade me-
''That you'd look well In white" inter
rupted the Mere Man hastily, and with
/ orange blossoms in your hair and a
/ prayer book in your hand. But that was
only IA poetic fancy"
1T sounded" murmured the Bachelor
/ Girl, softly. Just IKE an offer Of mar
riage"
what cried the Man. sitting up per-
fectly straight and putting down HIS
/ cigarette. do you suppose I'd offer you
/ anything
'Mr Porter!"
Anything so cheap? finished the Mere
( Man. Indignantly.