Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-01
Tho Bowssr Habit: ]

All hnmor to be fully appreciated
must have behind it, somewhere, at
least the suggestion of truth. Without
this basis of reality that touches, be it
ever 50 lightly, the real currents of life,
and finds some counterpart in human
experience it is doubtful if there could
be any genuine humor. No character in
fiction can hope to endure long who
does net carry with him an atmosphere
of reality. Among all the characters
that have a place in modern humor
none has had longer vogue, or at
tracted more widespread interest than
Bowser, the tempestuous and cantan-
kerous husband. This interesting and
entertaining character is the creation
of the popular humorist Charles B.
Lewis. Familiarity known as IN Quad"
1t is not difficult to see why Bowser has
so long held his sway in the newspa-
per world, especially in the Sunday
editions where he has for many years
played a star part. He is there be-
cause he is genuine; because he en-
bodies broad but scathing satire upon
one of the most common weaknesses of
mere man" We imagine that few
husbands would deliberately cultivate
the role of Bowser. Most of them pre-
fer to believe that they are, to the best
of their ability, living up to the ideals
of married life Still the Bowser habit
is easily acquired. 1t grows, naturally
enough, out of the weaknesses of hui
man nature. 1t is insidious in it's meth
DDS, and. once acquired. is hard to
shake. 1t is difficult indeed for the lords
of creation to acknowledge their respon-
bility for any of the little stupidities of
life, when there is a woman at hand 70
peculiar things about the Bowser hab-
it is the fact that many otherwise good
suspect that they are thus afflicted.
Men who are burdened with this malady
entirely lose the power of introspec-
ton. They become impressed with the
delusiOn that they can do no wrong,
aid that if mistakes are made are new
er the author. but always the victims
Of them. We recall the fretful stewing
of one miserable Bowser, who made life
exceedingly miserable for a patient
wife on down river trip, because a
lunch basket which had been placed in
his exclusive keepng-and which had
constituted his sole responsibility-ha
been forgotten. 1t never seemed to
occur to him that he was in any way to
was all the fault of his better half
who had failed to remind him of it.
Feeling, therefore, that he had been
grievously wronsed by her, he proceed
ed to load her with reproaches in a
persistent and nagging way that speed
lily took all the pleasure out of what
otherwise, would have been a delight
full outing. Strange to say the sympa-
thies of the eXcursionists were all with
her. Not a tear was shed for poor old
Bowser. If a prize had been offered
for the biggest boor in the crowd it
would have been awarded him by a
rousing majority. And still the only
thing necessary to bring him to a prop
er appreciation of the external fitness
of things was a prompt and vigorous
call, which, unfortunately his wife
lacked the courage to give him. Had
she suddenly Strengthened up, sliced
him by the ear, and demanded in frigid
tones. How dare you, sir?" Bowser
would have subsidized Immediately. OF
course there might have been some
danger of his dropping dead from the
shock of the surprise, but if he had
survived the ordeal he would certainly
have been a changed and better man.
He would have been meek and subdued
ana contrlte or heart. Inc chances are
that he would have suddenly seen him
self as others saw him, and humbly
asked his wife's pardon. She, good wo-
man that size was, would cheerfully
have forgiven him, and all would have
gone as nlerrilly as marriage bell. 1t
takes a woman of courage to deal with
A New San Francisco.
San Francisco will celebrate the re-