Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-04-27
Dr.. Boyd's
Experiment
II Prevented a Rupture Be.
tween Man and Wife
BY DWIGHT NORWOOD


my wife. She has acted strangely
ever since our child was born"
The words were spoken by Stephen
Hapgood, and he was addressing DR..
Howard Boyd.
BE seated, Mr.. Hapgood, and give
your wife's symptoms. We have u
great many cases Of women acting
strangely after child birth. What
form does it take in Mrs. Hapgood's
case%
"An antagonism to me. 1t was a
love match between us, and we nave
been devoted to each other ever since
our marriage until this strange freak
came upon her. She has taken 1t into
her head that I am III treating her.
am fearful lest at any day she may
apply for divorce"
"Umw said the doctor thoughtfully.
"Will you visit herr" asked Mr.
Hapgood.
Does she consider herself illy'
mot in the least. She supposes her
self to be in the best Of health"
In that case what reason shall
give for my visitT"
Mr.. Hapgood was unable to suggest
reason, and DR.. Boyd continued:
II would like to try In this case
what l admit is IN experiment. Sup
pose we give your wife shock?'
what kind Of shock"
1T might he reported 10 her that you
had met with IN accident had desert
| ed her for another woman or had been
killed"
II see." replied Mr.. Hapgooi. mus
ing. Then he replied: ITO impose Oh
Der by pretending to be injured would
not work. If should pretend to de
sert her she would surely get u d.
vorce. The only one Of the ways you
have mentioned Of shocking her thu,
seems to me to be practicable Is FOL
me to pretend to be dead. And even
that would be difficult"
TRY it.
but suppose the shock should In
jure my wife physically still furtherT
"If she Is not In her right mind the
announcement will not affect her un
less to restore her reason. II 1t has
this effect we can disabuse her nj
once"
VERY we'll. doctor; on. your respon
sibility will make the trial." and Mr.
Hapgood left the doctors office.
While this dialogue was going on
another was taking place between Mrs
HapgoOd and all attorney.
"Mr. Stanley" she said. Il desire
that you procure divorce for me
from my husband"
ION what grounds, MADAME"
Cruelty"
The attorney took pen and pro-
pounded series Of questions as to Mr.
Hapgood's cruel nets. When the cata
logue was finished, he drew up a legal
document which he presented to her
| for signature. She put her name to II
without culver and. returning to her
home. met her husband the same even.
Ing at dinner with cold stare.
Fortune favored the plan for shock.
ing Mrs. HapgooI. Not long nfter her
application for divorce while sitting
In his office he heard newsboy crying
Extra. Big railroad accident and
buying the paper he discovered that the
| trouble had occurred OH the road by
which he was accustomed to so to his
suburban home. Stepping to tele,
phone. he called up DR.. Boyd, and the
result of the interview was that the
doctor went to the Hapgood home and
announced to Mrs. Hapgood that her
husband had been reported badly In.
jured on his way home from the city.
The doctors eyes while impartins
the news were on Mrs. Hapgood's. he
saw Il slight culver pass over her. but
not being satisfied with it In medical
point Of view pushed on, saying that
| he had not told her the worst. Mr.
Hapgood had been killed. The lady
looked ut him as though she did not
| quite understand him.
"Your husband Is dead. Mrs. Hap,
| good" the doctor added: "he has been
killed OIL his way home on the train
from the city"
"My husband dead?'
eyes. madam-killed In railroad &C
cident."
The lady seemed to be struggling
with her feelings for awhile. then re-
| marked:
I'm sorry. but he deserved It; he
| treated me shamcfully."
The doctor. disappointed. turned away
md. on returning to his home. called
up Mr.. Hapgood and reported that the
experiment. had failed However. he
suggested that Hapgood keep dark for
awhile. 1t was possible that the desired
effect might come later. Hapgood
promised to abide by the suggestion
and remained in hiding in the city.
A couple Of days after Mr.. Hapgood's
supposed death his wife called again on
Mr.. Stanley. her attorney. She was
dressed in mourning and wore wild
owls cap Of exuberant proportions.
"Mr. Stanley" she said. "have you
Sled the papers in my case"
81 have not rs yet. madam; In these
rases we never net hastily; we hope fol
q reconciliation. or at least an amicable
adjustment"
Destroy them"
III see you are in mourning. Has any
thing happenedT"
"My husband has been killed In q
railroad accident"
"Indeed?
eyes. wish your opinion as to the
AMOUNT of damages / can recover"
"That is Il matter for compromise
with the railroad company. II you can.
not come to an agreement with it you
can sue 1t"
81 have been informed that the com.
pany proposes to leave all claims to the
courts"
I'm that case we have only to COM
mence suit"
"Please do 80 at once"
what amount shall I sue for? How
much was your husband worth to you
pecuniarilyT'
HE received a salary Of $1,000"
THAT is per cent on 100000. But
since we usually Inv claim for much