The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-22

put IL doeS not seem TO me tnat am wholly to blame.
 While I will not give the usual whining excuse, the woman tempted me-" yet I think it has been really about a fifty-fifty proposition after all. Besides some of the blame must be placed upon society with it's silly inhibitions and prohibitions. Society,
 you know, virtually says that mar
 riage makes of two selfish. uniformed thoughtless human beings, one splen- did selfless human unit. You and l know that getting married does not change character instantly any more than getting converted makes good
 man out of a bad man in moment But what we poor mortais do not take Into consideration is that every act. every thought, every heart
 beat. every nerve jingle, makes its impression upon our characters and plays a part In our lives. We are
 apt to waxS up some morning with the surprising knowledge, that the
 man we thought we were and the man we are are total strangers.' Great Scott. Jim" exclaimed Davis, T don't believe that's original with Harry Glendening. He Is too lazy minded to have thought that all out. However, fire away, with the piece. I would like to know what he has written. I'll tell you though, Jim. cold turkey, Milton and I are not going to let Glendening decide this divorce case for himself, or even prejudice our judgment in the mat ter"
 No, we are not" echoed Dr. Mill ton, slowly. He paused as though debating something with himself. His companions gazed expectantly. Pres ently he said: After you have read |Glendening's story I shall probably add to 1t the story of the woman with whom he is in love-" Both Davis and Clavering were visibly impressed by this. Interest was intensified. Then Milton continted: q know al- most what Glendening will say from the time she entered his life It Is only fair that you should know this and perhaps, now that I have told you, you will not consider me capable of judging whether Glendening and his wife should be divorced. Maybe. Jim. you don't want me to listen to the story Giendening has written"
 "Of course, l want you to listen. Milt." heartily interrupted ClaverinR "We'll just ask you. my dear doctor. to dove-tail the lady's story with Glendening's. Then when Dave tells D angle all the testimony will be In. And then you. Milt. may decide the wager"
 The waiter brought some refresh rnents and the three then settled comfortably in their chairs. Claver- ing took Glendenings letter and started to read:
 Dear Jim:
 To enable anyone to understand my tnr .xa<xs .x..~ I L must go back to my boyhood My life at that time influenced my char acter tremendously as I can now realize
 l do not think that even you, Jim. knew how poverty stricken we really were. Responsibility was about our only possession.
 l never remember the time, in my childhood, when l did not know the pinch of poverty. True, I was never hungry. I seldom suffered from cold. But my soul was always starved for the beauty and even the comfort we had no money to buy.
 Of course, Dad had always had his position as bookkeeper at the one big department store in the place and at that time living expenses were comparatively small.
 < Everyone in town knew, as they alWays do Tn small towns, that dad received $150 a month. That was regarded as a good moderate income and 1t was. What-the public did not know. however. was that at least half--and often more-of dads mod est income went for something that was never mentioned. even in the privacy of the family.
 romorrow: sss'SIauSa Samii5 sE aE. sEE.slsson.-