Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-12-24
UNCLE
FRANK
How He COntrived a Merry
Christmas
By F. A. mitchell

agreed to separate they left everything
pertaining to their separation to Frank
Elwood, the husbands brother, who
was a lawyer. This meant not only
that he was to procure the divorce
ment. but to arrange for the care OF
the children. and he was given carte
blanche to take any measure in the
premises he might see fit.
Frank placed all the blame for the
trouble on his brother, who had been
somewhat gay during his bachelor
hood and was not inclined to give up
his attentions to other women after his
marriage. His wife was very rigid as
to the actions of her husband and
made him feel that he was too circum-
scribed Frank endeavored to con-
vince his brother that the home was
of far more Importance than the pleas
ure to be derived from attentions to
any woman who would so far demean
herself as to accept them from another
womans husband, and be had better
accede to his wife's wishes and con-
fine himself to her. But Luther de-
clared that his attentions to other Wo-
men were harmless and he did not
propose to be dictated to by Il jealous
woman
Whereupon the lawyer laid down the
following plan for the couples guild
ance: Both should leave the home and
reside elsewhere The children were
to be left where they were under the
care of a woman to be provided for
the purpose. The father and mother
would be permitted to visit their Off
spring once a month. the father on the
1st, the mother on the 18th. The law
yer agreed to procure the divorce as
soon as possible.
This plan was objected to by both
parties, whereupon Frank Elwood de-
clared that he would have nothing to
do with the matter. But it was essen
tial that the care Of the children be
provided for while the divorce pro
ceedings were pending. and, since the
they could agree to manage the affair.
they finally gave in and left it in
Franks hands
In June Frank ElWOod informed his
brother and his sister-in-law that their
legal separation would be completed
in six months. On the Goth of Decem,
Der he notified them that the decree
would be granted early in January.
and he desired them to 'call at his Of
fee on the Odd of December for the
purpose of making certain transfers or
property that had been agreed upon
out of court. On the 23d he informed
them that the papers would not be
ready for signature till after office
hours the next day. He therefore APP
pointed the meeting to take place at
their home at p. m. sharp.
Tomorrow evening" exclaimed Ihl-
Their Elwoo6 why. that's Christmas
eve'
Good gracious" exclaimed Edith
Elwood THE awful man, to bring rs
together at our old home for such n
purpose on Christmas eve!"
The attorney was called to the tele-
phone by both parties for the purpose
of protesting against the place of meet
ing, and both were answered that the
heating apparatus in the building
where Frank had his Office was out Of
commission. that no other place was
available. that winter storm which
was raging rendered it necessary that
some warm place should be selected
and that the place provided would be
both warm and comfortable This end
ed the argument. and both the husband
and wife gave reluctant assent.
At a quarter to Mrs Elwood ran
up the steps of what had been her
home. rang the bell and was admitted
by maid who had been in her employ
ever since her marriage.
christine" she said 81 have an ap-
pointment here at and have come
ahead of time in order to see the chill
dren."
"Yes'm I'll tell Mrs. Albright"
The lady went into the living room
and stood before fire blazing brightly
on the hearth The maid went upstairs
and returned with a message from the
woman who had the care of the chill
dren that she had no orders from Mr.
Frank Elwood to permit Mrs. Elwood
to see the children except on her regu-
lar day.
This was. indeed, disappointment.
The mother wiped away tear. then
began pacing back and forth before
the fire till there was a ring at the
doorbell and her husband was ushered
into the room. He bowed deferential-
ly. but the wife did not return his sa-
lutte. He took a seat by the fire. and
she sat down as far from him as pos
sible. Neither spoke till the clock
struck 5. when the husband remarked:
"Frank said we were to be punctual
He is going to be late himself"
"He should be ashamed to bring US
together here. Of all places. on Christ
mas eve"
Perhaps he did it for my benefit
Being bachelor. he doubtless under
stands that club is no place for