The Meeker herald., 1913-06-07
AManHater
Bitter Experience Made
Her One
BY MARTHA A. HARDING

My father died when was six years
old and my mother two years later. At
my mothers death l went to live with
my aunt. She had made an unfortu-
nate marriage in her youth and had
been divorced. Her husband was still
living, and she did not marry again.
One matrimonial experience was quite
enough for her. But she possessed Il
fortune, and her husband, who was u
lawyer by profession. was on the
watch for any technically that would
enable him to get any Of 1t. For in
stance. the laws Of the state In which
she lived required that the husband
should join with the wife in conveying
real estate. My aunt owned the house
in which she lived, and her husband
would not join In a deed conveying 1t
unless she would give him half the
amount Of the purchase money.
My aunt did not wish to sell her
house. but the matter opened her eyes
to what she had to fear from her hus-
band, especially II he outlived her.
was to be her heir. and she dreaded
lest he should attempt to break any
will she should make in my favor with
q view to depriving me Of my inherit
ance.
Her fears did not end here. Sup
pose should have the Ill luck she had
experienced In making marriage.
The idea WINS horrible to her. Scarcely
a day passed that she did not remind
me of the dangers incurred In taking n
husband and always ended by advising
me to lead life Of spinsterhood.
These constant admonitions served to
defeat the purpose for which they were
intended. The quickest way to get
young person to do anything is to warn
him or her against 1t. Youngsters wish
to see the folly of 1t" as well as their
seniors. There is another adage that
works In connection with this one.
''stolen fruit is the sweetest" not
only wished to marry because my aunt
warned me not to do so. but l was
ready to enter upon love affair with
out her knowing 1t.
was but seventeen when met
Charlie Edison. and he showed predIs-
position in my favor. He was half a
dozen years older than and was con-
sidered fine young man by all who
knew him.
Nevertheless ] question II our fntI-
macy would have 'ripened into love had
l not told him that my aunt was OPP
posed to my marrying any one. and
expected to be nm old maid. Ny aunt's
action had the same effect on Charlie
that 1t had on me. He began to make
love to me at once, and l experienced
the delightful sensa ton of eating stolen
fruit.
This was enjoyable only for short
time. Love leads to matrimony. and
the first thing l knew my delight was
turned to worry. My lover. who was
more farsighted than !. inferred that
II took step toward marriage with
out my aunt's consent she might cut
me OF from my expected inheritance.
! did not think she would do that. but
the possibility of her doing 1t troubled
me. Charlie was clerk with salary
of $40 month. and he at least had
sense enough to know that marriage
between IFS on such an income meant
hard times ahead.
But when two persons are violently
in love with each other prudence hides
her face. After much tribulation we
did what many youngsters have done
before us to their cost. We went to
parson and got married. he alone know
ing Of the marriage. Then went home
and Charlie went home, and where
there was worry before there was now
misery.
1t happened soon after this that my
aunt's divorced husband attempted by
process of law to get possession Of a
certain piece of property she owned by
means OF paper he had induced her to
sign when they were living together:
or. rather. the attempt was to levy
blackmail. since he offered to with.
draw the suit II she would pay him a
stipulated sum. This act so Infatuated
her. so filed her with horror at what
she called the iron chains of matrimony
that she sent for her attorney and made
q new will. which prevented my get
ting possession of her estate after her
death In case was then married. Her
object was to save me from the iron
chains. and this was the only way she
could effect that object.
No sooner had she made this new
will than she Informed me of the fact.
Imagine my establishment and my cha
grin. My first impulse was to throw
myself Into her arms and confess. but
/ remembered that had husband
with whom to consult. SO l only said:
"Weil. aunty. suppose that makes
me an old maid"
Rather say It insures you from the
Of some demon Of a man."
When I told Charlie Of what had
he was sick Mt heart. blam
Ing himself for having deprived me Of
IlX.A k,<,kEa