The chronicle=news., 1912-11-30
CLUBS WERE TRUMPs
FROM JUDGE.

He looked like gentleman gone to
seed. Though patched and frayed a.
to clothing, he was Immaculate both
In dress and person. He ast upon the
kitchen doorstsp. shslling peas. His
expression bstokcnsd reconciled dss-
pair.
BE 20 kind" he said msskiy. but
smphatically. "ss not to utter the
word club to mo. sir. Tho induce
ments that could tempt me 70 join any
kind OF association whatever do not
exist"
Before saying more. he &lanced ap'
prohensivsly over his shoulder. Then
he explained In low tone:
ITO clubs are due all my misfor.
tunes: and ! endure sumc!ent. as
sure you. When I was young man
aud that seems centuries aso-this
village passed through an epidemic Of
clubs. How or Why the psstiisnee
broke out. no one knows. but sud
denly every ono was forming them.
Joining them. canvassinx for them.
Thsre was the Parmerr' club. the
House wives club. the Card club. the
0les club and . score Of others. Ev.
cry organization had Its badge. and
some OF my nsishbors proudly wore
avs or sig.
AT that time I was just youna
enough to know all about life. and !
was certain that II offered no prize
like personal liberty. Consequently J
was . confirmed bachslor-and rather
prone to boast Of It. fear. Ny asso
ciates were all younK men who pro
claimed loudly that they seorned the
asmale ser. Each had besn most
cruelty rejected BY some false hearted
ehaFmsr. and when they organised the
RacAsIors' club the receipt OF one rs
iection at least WAS made Qualinca
tion for mambsrship. ! was eager 70
ioin. but this excluded me.
"Isn't there . way to get around
the ruler I asked Lon Pendleton.
president.
"'No.' he replied. We mustn't b.
Gin that way. Dont try TO get around
lt-just qualify
"'Propose 70 some one:
s'Csstainiy.'
"'Supposs I Am seeptedr
"'You needn't Be afraid Of that be
replied: then. noticing my look. lame
| ~ ADDED. select some one who DOESN'T
iike you. mean
THAT was easily done. saiina
Briggs and had been sworn enemies
sincs vs went barafootsd to tho die.
.rict school She was biGger than tho
teacher thsn. and called her Jumbo.
she retaliatsd by calling me Whf6et.
The years that had added 70 her bulk
aud eoarosnsss had lsft mS uadsr.
sissd, but Q gsntlsman and (hs@O Q
scholar"
He sent Q quick. sensitive glance
Into my eyes. and bowed Graveiy.
"whensver We ehanced to pass on
the street. she would make some audi.
bic remark about me. to raise the
laughter Of the conGsnial friends
around her. and her vulgar laugh
wouId raise above them all and follow
ne faEthest.
Toathing her - 6id. nothing u.
espt ny great desire to 3oin The Bach.
ssofs' club could have made me ad-
dress hsr-let alone upon sueh sub
jsct. But In those days when want.
I'd thing I went II blind a. the say.
Ing 10. Moreover. ] was sure that
Selma would consider my proposal .
joke-psrhaps tho result Of wager
and this I knew would snrase her BE-
yond measure"
He WAS silent 20 long. gazing missr.
ably Into space. that I was Obliged TO
speak TO him. He looked mp pathet.
leally and whispered:
''1hs said yes"
"And yoa-" I ventured.
Il An gentleman" hs returned.
and I nodded.
II Il isnN-sr" I began. aftsr .
long pause.
mot at ali." he answered. she was
mad to Join the Matrons' club. that's
ALL
Before I could utter word Of sym
pathy. an untidy head appeared at the
door and . coarse voice cried:
"Jehn Hennery. be them peas done
tt." .
And a. I passed through tho gate
heard In gentle and refined tones:
mo. sslina: they'll b done In .
minute"
wife Who 10 Past Rsdsmptien.
"Dar amt NO hope for muh WIFE"