Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-05
Mrs. spiker Foolish and Wrong

To the Editor OF tho EUenir1 Public Ledger;
Sir-I was war worker myself
Naturally know the temptation IN PC
ing far from home, and lonely. 80 90
not consider this as from the ignorant
or inexperienced "stay at home"
But this is my humble opinion of the
so called "Spiker romance" (Where Is
the romancef) It is to me, at this tine,
when there is so much unrest, so many
sad hearts, a shameful, disgraceful NIX
up, and almost an insult to the nation
manhood record during the war.
/ cannot see how man who. really
loved his own wife-who knew she was
faithful at home, especially a father OF
an innocent child-should be excused
for an act of that kind. Have men no
will power or manhood? Perhaps one
broken heart more or less did not mat
ter. Men are lynched for less reason
than that sometimes.
| have honestly tried to forget all 1
read, but the thing bobs up again ana
agan---as it will to the millions VINO
have read it. ] have hot and cold reel
ing of murder when read it, at least or
assault and battery [ wonder how many
easily led folks just now will try the
same procedure, if the Spikers are al
lowed to. and how much the country
moral strength will weaken!
1t seems to me the man must feel like
the proverbial "two cents 1t seems
good that the least said of him the bet
| ter.
As to the English girl, she, too, was
! in her country's service. If she was
wronged. ] do not see how living in the
same house with Mrs. Spiker, or even
seeing her, will right the wrong. How
about the children when they grow up
| The blot is always on them, you know.
A good citizen will think a long time
before he marries either child.
And can YOU really see the peace and
trust between the two ladies in ten
years? I cannot. 1t is fine OF Mrs;
| Spiker. In my opinion, she deserved
better treatment. But ! know absolutely
that her trust is gone. ! know tna5
her outward calm must hide an inward
/ torrent, She is human. Faith dies hard
but then is dead. How can sne go
back to the old. trusting life, TO i've
with him as a pal? 1t can't be done.
Now. no matter how affectionate the
brother is, always between the glrl ana
the man will be memory and the paDy,
and the public. r1or
7 think Mrs. Spiker is wrong. Her
examnIe one way or the other, VIII DC
folIowed ever after. 1t seems to me
am of the male SEX if | were she, !
would saw good by to Friend Husband
let him settle so much on me-then my my
daughter. myself, who counted loi
nothing, would live our own hVes; Auo M
perhaps-who knows?-hnd a oettei
husband. .,, ,.,
Yes, il were she, J should operate
on my heartstrings quickly, as with
surgeons knife, even T. 1-lgh the sea-
remained. A. scar heals. but what abou
tha running sore, the continuous agony
and daily martyrdom? could not stant
Il. only one divine could, and none o
us are divine. ,.-,
Then let husband marry the Englisi
girl and live happily (:l ever after.
know some will think it is letting
husband off easy. 1t is. But what cal
Won do? He really needs neat littl
stav somewhere to think it out, himself
) and NOT make Others do the worrying
However. he is not the only one. Othe
, men are wondering when their retrlbu
tion will come.
But if | were the wife concerned,
could not stand living he way she con
: siders doing ] know it-even though i
looks like fine way to punish tn
! offenders, too, except that the lnnocen
will be the real sufferer, in her plan.
Well, it's up to them. j think, as al
, examnle and a standard, it needs 10
g thought and careful procedure. /
,, needs real punishment, not smoothin
over. -. .... -...
, Won't some one please try to prin
9 in a paper an example of goodness
faith and loyalty to get the present ba'
taste out of our mouths-some touchin
little story of fidelity? We need th
vision of God-not mud puddle.
CITIZEN.
p. S.-I wonder. if it had been tn
wife, how generous her husband woult
: have been? I'm afraid he would hav
gone out for a real high life" of get
ting even.