The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-09
LIE US ON PLZABILI72
 OF WOMEN DISPU7ED
Tries His Hand-Women Really Train MenHow One Clever Wife Acts-In Trying to Please All, the Result
 Is That None Is Pleased
BY DOLLY DALRYMPLE.

When Col. George Harvey wrote his book "Women. Etc., among other things he observed that:
 ''They (women) reject any trait which may be displeasing in the eyes of mem
 pronunciamento which will probab- ly be Of equal interest and surprise to the leaders of these columns.
 Perusing the volume, I was at once reminded of friend of mine whom shall dub Gretchen inasmuch as she is a sweet, little buoyant thing, sunny and placid and bright as the evening star At least that is what she was like when l first knew her, and in that embryonic stage l liked her immensely. She was entertaining and clever and always sought in the most select little coteries, but alasl she became engaged after g. stay or two years abroad and when she returned she was absolutely the most changed person I have ever seen.
 Her fance was a younE Ensltshman by the way and when saw them to- gether for the first time l was perfectly paralyxed and in response to my excited d questions to which heretofore she hs q answered in the glibbest jolliest manner, she was silent, indifferent and altogether distant
 After the preliminaries of being intro- duced to the stranger, and we had safely deposited him at the club to enjoy malS- ing the acquaintance of several ot Gretch- ems men friends, I said sto.cally and calmly to her:
 What on earth has happened to you? Are you dead or only sleeping?'
 My f1ance," replied Gretchen in a most dignified manner, wishes me to cultt- vate repose. He says American women are too volatile"
 (Which is not a question of geog- raphy." I said highly infuriated. But just plain every-day life if woman possesses it. Don't talk to me about these men who say they hate talky wom- en and promptly marry quiet. little pussy cat-an Alice-by-the-Bfr and then as soon as the marriage ceremony Is over stalk after every pretty, entertain- ing woman they know
 Well, he doesn't like it in anybody" said she submissively, "and I shan't be that kind any more"
 But if he doesn't like you as you are, then why does he wish to marry you?' I calmly inquired. 'It's like mar rying drunkard to reform him.
 He says my faults are of the kind that can be overcome,'' she said se renely.
 Then don't marry him." I declared. If he picks flaws in you now, when he should think you perfect if he is trying to change you before he marries you what will he think after the fatal vows have been spoken?'
 Nothing more said at the time about her transformation. but with a superior air she went bravely on and I saw her change from the gay little butterfly that so many had admired to the stern, staid, matronly person that she-wasnt.
 The finale was that one day her fiance found fault once too often and Gretchen, with little of the old spirit left, broke the engagement.
 A short time afterward the young Eng lishman became engaged to the most harum scarum, fly-up 7the-creek girl ever knew and would sit for hours list enine to her jokes with adoring ears and eyes while her animation proclaimed itself to rooms full of people who hung on her every word.
 In the meantime Gretchen became en- gagged again and tried to revive some Of the old animation that for so long she had been holding in check, but it was so plainly counterfeit that her present fiance was as much displeased as the other one was
 "Of course," said l when I heard of the