The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-08
A Matrimonial
Experiment
BY ETHEL HOLMES

reading a Sunday newspaper magazine
which published articles by celebrat-
ed persons recording the marvellous
changes that were constantly coming
over civilized peoples and feretelling
how tomorrow would be different from
today. This morning she had been
reading an article on the causes Of
matrimonial failures and advocating
the following plan: Engaged couples
were to live under the same roof for a
certain period, chaperon always be-
ing present. They were to assume the
duties Of housekeeping, living from q
common fund just as II they were man
and wife. II at the end Of this trial
period they still desired to marry they
would do so. II, on the other hand,
they found that they were incompati-
BILE they could separate.
Miss Bickerdale was engaged to Mr..
Scarborough. She was twenty-seven
years old, and her fiance was thirty
two. She had grave doubts as to how
they would get on together. This plan
Of trial marriage appealed to her force
fully. Mr.. Scarborough called, as was
his custom, on Sunday to spend the
evening with her, and she proposed 1t
to him. He had heard her misgivings
often expressed, and, though he had
no wish himself for such an expert
mental alliance, desiring to end his
flancee's doubts, he pretended to be
pleased with the plan.
And so it was given out to the world
that Miss Bickerdale's mother had suf-
fered loss Of income and 1t had be-
come necessary for her to take board
ers. Mr.. Scarborough rented a room
of her-so 1t was understood outside
the house-and the experiment COM
menced. The parties concerned lived
In a large city, had few intimate
friends and were well situated to carry
out their plan. Mr.. Scarborough was to
pay all bills for a month; then the
Bickerdales would assume the respon-
sibilities, which were to alternate.
Six months passed-six delightful
months-in this happy way of living.
Then, since the experimental marriage
had been a perfect success, Mr.. Scar
borough proposed that they make 1t
bona fide. Experience had taught Miss
Bickerdale that her doubts as to their
getting on together were Ill founded,
and she consented. Her mother, who
had played the part of mother-in-law
to perfection, was invited to continue
her part In reality, but she declined.
You, two have not been man and
wife. You have had no trouble on my
account because you have been simply
lovers. When the glamour falls from
your eyes you will see me as I am,
and my imperfections will be equally
apparent to both Of you"
"Oh, mother" exclaimed the fcti-
tious wife, "how can you talk SO?
Have we not lived under the same roof
for six months? Have we not learn
ed each others faults? Even the mon
ey question, that is so important, has
been tested"
"My daughter" replied the old lady,
''you have not been married. You
have not been the same woman to your
lover that you will be to your hus-
band. / have seen that you have care
fully concealed your real self from
him, and he has treated you as low
er, not as husband"
my good gracious, has all this trial
, marriage been for nothing?"
, "No; 1t has been some preparation
for a real one, but of not much more
value than If you had lived in separate
homes"
"Well, 1t seems that must either
take a leap in the dark or not at all.
I shall take the leap. But no one can
make me believe-not even you, dear
mother-that John and / don't know
each other thoroughly"
When Mrs. Scarborough returned
from the honeymoon she told her
mother that she had discovered no new
faults In her husband. At the end Of
a year she declared that, while John
was not exactly the man she had sup
posed him to be, he was, all things con.
sidered, a much finer man. At the end
of two years she discovered brutal
traits In her husband that she had
never dreamed OF. Three years passed
and she had discovered an antitoxin
for his brutality which neutralized its
venom. Meanwhile children were CON-
ing and a new bond was forming be-
tween husband and wife beside which
prenuptial love was like a tender twig
compared to a tree trunk. Then she
confessed to her mother that her trial
marriage was worthless.
As for the husband, he passed
through much the same course. he
started out with the idea that when
he offended his wife he must pacify
her. He soon learned that the more
be tried to pacify her the greater the
antagonism.
And now that John Scarborough Is
what is called an old married man he
has adopted an excellent plan to end
fruitless discussions with his wife. He
is stone deaf in one ear. When his
wife gives him certain lectures he
covers his well ear and, not being
able to hear with the other, makes no
reply. This closes the controversy, OF
/ course.
The SundayA Expounder continues to
publish articles suggesting startling In
novations In our social and other af-
fairs, but Mrs. Scarborough has long
ceased to read them. She says those
upon domestic questions are written by
old maids or women who should have
been old maids, while her husband de-
tlares that articles on the deepest finan-
cial problems are written by persons
| who have been financial failures.