Putnam patriot., 1910-05-20
By IA MTcHEL.

Fellow bachelors he said. lone of our number has committed matri- uony. Edward Hammerton has talk en to himself wife. l will read arti- eIe from our constitution. applying to his case:
 .swhen any member shall become en- gagged or has been married he shall pay s fine, and his membership in the club shall cease He shall state the arts by which he was snared. If there are palli- atIng circumstances in his case he shall not pay the whole fine. but such portion Of il as the club may consider a just amount in his case.
 %Mr Hammerton will now make his statement.'
 T assure you. gentlemen" said the retiring member. that no intention whatever to desert you ever entered my head until diabolicaI cembina- ton of young women in the town where I live forced matrimony upon me These persons organized a club based on custom prevailing in for eign land. Between the mountains of India and Persia, I have since under sf00d. is a powerful tribe. among x ID the ladies can choose their own hs snas All single woman has to dl when she wishes to change her state is to send a servant to pin a handkerchief to the hat of the man on whom her fancy lights. and he is obliged to marry her unless he can show that he is too poor to purchase her at the price her father requires.
 Inspired by this suggestion from land where secret venomous methods nnderlie all social conditions. every unmarried woman in the town where l live formed a elub-rather entered upon a eonspiraey-to force the bach elors into matrimony. One morning. being about to leave my home, on talk ing my hat from the hall closet some thing soft and scented fiuttered against my hand. shuddered. I had touch- ed the Indian poison flower and was reminded of its waxen petals and it's seductive odor. Taking the hat to the light. I saw pinned to it blue silk handkerchief in one corner of which was embroidered my monogram in white silk thread. Observe. gentle men. the insinuating method of this designing creature. She not only knew how dear to every man is his alma mater. but she was aware that blue is the color of my college.
 Mind you. gentlemen. l did not at the time know of this society or of its malevoIent purpose, for the members kept both secret so long as possible. asked my butler how the handkerchief came to be pinned to my hat. He said that the servant of Miss Eugenia Tomlinson, living at the other end of the street. had called before l was out of bed. asked for my hat and at- tached the handkerchief. Why he had done so he Gid not state.
 .Going to my club after had break lasted. I sat down to cigar and a paper In the paper 1 read a full &C., count of the organization and prac- tiees of this pestilent Indian plant that had been imported to our soil. l also read list of the bachelor heads that bad already fallen and was aghast to see the names of two of my most inti- mate friends.
 Great heavens.' cried, the per spiration starting out on me. and l have already received a deadly Black Hand notificationr
 The lady who had thus marked me for matrimonial misery. both from her beauty and general attractiyeness, was all powerful. Any man on whom she pinned the skull and crossbones must walk the plank. There was no hope for him. Nevertheless. though seeing the signal to heave to. made up my mind to pay no attention to it. l simply sailed on minding my own business
 Why didn't you take to an aero pianefa member interrupted.
 "Ratsts sBuncombe," Brave boy," and the like greeted the speaker.
 One week after the receipt of the signal" he continued. ''the period given bIacklisted bachelors by this club. l met one of my most respected woman friends on the street She cut ne dead. The same day l met several others and received the cut Greet from all. Here was, indeed. boycott. You must remember, gentlemen. that. although We do not wish 10 surrender cur independence te these creatures. to be ostracized by them is a serious matter. In time l Was cut by every unmarried woman in Town. Besides, the most attractive married women were honorary mem- bers of the club and joined the boy colt
 And then. gentlemen, appeared the most aiiuring feature of this malig- hant scheme. Last of all my femi- nine acquaintances I met the girl into "hose tolls it was intended that l should fall. A seductive blush over spread her features. bewildering smile parted her vermilion lips and showed two rows of pearls beneath: then modest dropping of the eyes. These women who had united to as- slst in snarfng me were all denying me he benefit of their society. for the Purpose of driving me like an innc- cent bird into the opening of the net Intended for me-
 Al this poinf in the speech there Were groans and cries of Poor boy"
 Innocent birdf' Where's his motn- q He's going to cry. and the ike
 Here. fei-I was going to say fei- low bacheiors. alas. l can call you such no ionger.-I took that first step which leads to the final inevitable fall turned and joined her Like the inc oFtate who sips the first glass of vine fhsf he knows win drag him down to his ruin. I submitted, myself to pres