THIS IS BIGAMY

The Splintered Glass prompt which inspired the work below is: The subject of immigration has been a hot topic in recent days. Has this issue touched your life personally? How?

Years ago while still living in a section of West Virginia highly populated by delightful immigrant folk from Poland–proud, enthusiastic people anxious to learn the language and ways of their new country–we were often affectionately amused by their stumbling but determined efforts. One such instance forms the basis for this story.

The corner drug store aside from being the purveyor of its natural goods, was a common gathering place for discussions of events of the day. There one evening, several young people listened in rapt wonder to one of their midst–admittedly well along the pathway to the goal–read the evening paper! As he came across the headline, “Valley Man Guilty of Bigamy,” listeners besieged him to clarify this fascinating new word–bigamy.

Clearly enjoying his position of pre-eminence, the reader gave some not unimpressive consideration, and suddenly, with the glow of perfect understanding illuminating his features, he enlightened the unenlightened.

“Der was a guy wot had two wifes, and nyether ’em knowed about bot’ of  ’em–dat’s bigamy!”

#Bigamy #Humor #EnglishLanguage