The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-05-03
By KATHLEEN NORRIS

.THE situation in the Brown
family is one that could
not have existed a hundred
years ago. 1t is problem born
of our modern civilization, and
one that many wife and hus-
band will have to solve if social
and marital adjustments are to
be made successfully, and UNI
necessary divorces avoided.
Ann Brown is SO, tall, ener-
getic, radiating health and
high spirits, and equal to
every demand life has made upon
her. Her husband, Rex, is milder
type, and has never been particu-
larry fond of business of any sort, or
capable of holding anything but a
routine office job.
Life Moves East.
For four years before she mar
ried, Ann taught in an aristocratic
private school. Then, before mar
riage, she entered woman's col
lege as a junior, and graduated
with honors in eighteen months. In
the three years after her marriage
she had a son and twin daughters
and managed them magnificently.
Upon Rex's small salary Ann purs
chased large country house with
seven acres of orchard and garden,
and had paid for the place when Rex
lost his job seven years ago. She
Immediately opened girls concen-
tration school, taking four boarders
and enrolling class of eleven. This
paid well, for many of the pupils
were difficult or arrested cases, and
AIMS teaching experience had been
largely with children of this type.
Three years ago she was offered
position in state work at $500 a
month. Her children were safe in
the hands of their father and fine
old colored servant, and Ann was
free to 60 to the capital and en-
bark upon work that fascinated her.
A radio contract now pays her an
extra $50 week. Here is part Of
her letter explaining the problem
she has to meet in making a sound
adjustment for herself and her
family.
Rex's Life Happy.
"Rex lives happily upon our little
farm" writes Ann. "He adores the
children, and he and Lenny, the
housekeeper, and certain friendly
neighbors live a community life that
more than satisfies him. / send him
5000 a month, and he saves on it,
raising garden vegetables on the
farm and selling apple and walnut
crops. We have two cows, but Rex
doesn't get up to milk them; he
trades milk for farmers services.
Rex sleeps, and eats, and laughs,
and loafs about, and says he is the
happiest man in the world.
Meanwhile / keep office hours,
interview scores Of persons every
day, carry a heavy responsibility in
the decisions I have to make and
the treatment have to recommend,
hold innumerable distressing meet
ings with parents, prepare my IS
minute radio address every week,
handle hundreds of letters, and live
alone in q small apartment. ! get
out to the farm Saturday at noon,
to receive a warmly affectionate
welcome, but no more comprehen-
sion, on the part of Rex or the chill
dren, of the burden that carry than
If they were so many birds.
Offer Rejected.
''Some months ago Rex had real
Iy good offer to 60 into the real
estate business with a man who
would put up all the capital, and
expect Rex to contribute only his
personality, which IS very pleasing.
My husband declined the offer, ex-
planning to me that he was too hap
by as things are. His salary, if he
succeeded at all, would have made
it possible to save for the children's
schooling; ! would like to put all
three into fine boarding schools some
day.