Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-11

X den and the Of all my trbuations -
Clarssa! When l add the statement that Clar-
issa is woman and too, my wife, the serious
uess of my situation will be apparent.
adore Clarissa. I loved her before marriage, a
nan may love an angel Of oveiness and mystery, DIT
afterwards loved her man may love only one
woman, and that his wife, with TIE ntlatc n'crdc-
pendence Of mutual understanding. with the complete
JOY Of perfect sympathy do think that any serou
difficulty in domestic relations during all tho
ten years of welded life until the period Of which
am about to speak And in this case, it hardly
the fault of Clarsat was certainly 10 wrong OIL my
par-t simply the Of fate cxpounded through
Clarissa's relatives
Judging from the humorous papers and expert
in the homes OF friends it is of occur
that man has trouble with his wifcs relatives
Were this any ordinary instance OF mother lavish
domestic episodes should not weary you with re-
hcarsa OF woes, but it is iii class apart My wfe
family is throughout to admire. its members arc
my friends rather than relatives law they like me
and l like them But speak OF the living. Toward
Clarssas ilusrious forebcsrs I cherish feeling Of
deep animosy. and it is JUSTIFIED The dead but unfor
gotten sires Of Carissas caused deep mental
anguish, and only Providence, working through the
friendly Offices of Governor Norton ard tho uncon-
scous diversions afforded by Kao, wrought my release
from torment.
n years Clarissa and remained in delightful ienor-
Of the unfortunate glorics of her ancestry Put
The evil counsels OF Mrs Tagglety unveiled the facts
and caused disaster For Mrs Tagglety is one of the
pcrvasve women. She has many friends, who do not
know her. Those who know her her enemies l
always knew her. and always regarded her with GENT
inc disavor that grew into dislike and ultimate
adherence when Clarissa, who knew her not became
her friend.
Mrs Taeclety belongs to a very large number OF
clubs and patriotic organizations for that matter, she
would belong to as many but for the fact that
through her atrocious methods she causes the dissolu-
ton of most Of those to which she becomes attached
And being persuasive she is always seeking and gain
ing, recruits It thus that she Clarissa.
You must be Daughter" she announced to my
unsuspecting wife And then she went on point out
10 Clarssa that the duty of every patriotic Amer
lean woman to produce her family skeletons in the
genealogical court and her devotion to her
trys good by procaiming pedigree of Colonial i'm
portance.
But I don't know about my ancestors Carissa
vertured tinidly
Then is time you did, Mrs Taggety asserted
ruiely: aud added, with that patitudnous rrclevanoe
that often characterized her remarks Time is passing
every day."
Unable to refuc this forcefu declaration Carissa
meek yclded.
1,nI
decided become Daughter" | neither shreked no,
tainted. Little I knew OF the hidcous import in the
words. When she mentioned the fact that Mrs Tag
gcty was responsible for this course OF action
pericnced than the feeling of anpahy which
HE naming of Mrs Taegety usually caused. And in
deed, at the first gave ground for uneas
Clarssa entered the undertaking without
enthusiasm and without undergoing any immediate
moral perversion. She made few periunctory excur
,ions to the local library, and discovered some quite
nnocuous ancestors that seemed to suffice for thc ext
gencies of membership in the Daughters
Then came the fatal day On my reaching home al
hour before dnner-tme, found Clarssa in state O.
high excitement She had been the lookout for Inc
and opened the door herself
"Oh Arthur" she cried once, her eyes shining anl
her checks flushed Uncle James lieutenant"
"Eh, what" stammcred. stupidity
yes dear, real lieutenant. Now, what do 20,
mink of that:
I paused to rid myself of MY hat and stick bcior
replying in the hope that my wits might clear sufi
GENTLY to fit the occasion But was quite unable t.
understand either Clarssas enthusiasm her words
So was driven to brutal direcness.
"Who is Uncle James" asked gently "Im afra
that, just for the moment, OF course can't exactl
place him, you know. Oh isn't he the one--the brothe
Of Uncle Fred-that died when he was taty-convul
sions, wasn't it? ! knew his name Was h
Uncle -"
The expression Clarissa's face babe me paus.
which did; and then, in the moment Of silence tina