The Wise Lawyer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 7, 1912

They sat in the office of the man who drew up papers for folks.

“We’ve decided to separate,” the man said, “and we want you to get up the papers.”

Something like a sob came from the woman’s lips, and she drew the baby closer to her side.

The lawyer fumbled about among the papers on his desk, then took off his glasses and said quietly, “I wish you would tell me all about it.” Then the little woman broke in:—

“We would like to tell somebody about it—I would, anyway. You see, he’s a good man, but—he goes right on and does things without letting me know—buys horses and things and mortgages them, and somehow doesn’t pay for them.

“If he’d only tell me, so that we could talk it over, seems to me we might get along better. I expect the farm will have to go pretty soon. The man that has the mortgage says he can’t wait much longer. You couldn’t blame him; we haven’t kept the interest up for a good many years.

“And just yesterday he came home from an auction with a lot more of old bob-sleds. I don’t know what he is going to do with them.

“If he had only told me he was thinking of getting them, maybe I could have said something to make him see it was no use. But he didn’t. He never does. He thinks women don’t know anything about such things. I don’t understand all about business, but I would like to.”

“And so—”

“Well, do you really think a woman’s head ought to be bothered with such things, ’Squire? Honest, now.”

The man leaned forward, and looked expectantly into the face of the lawyer.

“I’ll tell you what I do think. If I were you, and had a wife as good and as kind and sensible as yours is, I should want her to counsel with me on all matters of business. Don’t you think she has a right to do so?

“She is your partner in life. You made her so when you married her. You have not made her so in fact. She has not been given her share of the burden to bear, and she wants to take her half of the load. Why don’t you let her?

“Now, I’ll tell you what I would advise you to do—not separate, but get closer together.

“Give your wife what she wants with all her heart—her fair share of the load to bear. Talk things over with her. Let her be really a partner to you.

“Don’t buy bob-sleds and old horses without letting her know about it. I know there is a temptation to bid on such things when we get a bit interested. Hold still when you feel that fire in your heart. Think of Mary, and keep still.”

“Do you suppose I can do it, ’Squire?”

“Of course you can, Sam! I’ll go with you and stay right by you if you’ll let me.”

And the ’Squire did not write the letters of separation. Another document was written in the book of hearts of that man and woman. Just such a document should be signed, sealed, and delivered between every husband and wife in all this land.— Exchange.