Reno | Page 2

things sacred above all others: the first is
motherhood; the second marriage; the third is the home.
He or she who promiscuously profanes these sacred things is unworthy
of them and must pay the severest penalty.
My book is meant to be an appeal for happiness and health; an appeal
for peaceful homes, happy and contented husbands, happy wives and
mothers of happy, healthy and well bred children.
After all, unhappy and discontented human beings are unfit physically
and morally to produce the best work and the finest healthiest children.
The children are the forthcoming bearers of the world's burdens and
responsibilities. To them belongs the future, and already too many
social problems of the present age are due to the unhygienic and
illogical mating of the human male and female.
The divorce courts should only be appealed to as a last resort, to free
some tortured soul from a life of misery, caused by humiliation, shame
and hatred, the very essence of all evil. When the sacred state of
matrimony becomes so profaned and degraded that it soils everything it
comes in contact with; when even the minds of our children are
poisoned and distorted by the atmosphere, and the last ray of hope has
vanished, only then the hour has struck to ask the law for justice; to
appeal to the judge for redemption for humanity's sake.
Why have I written my book in parts, and why has each part its
individual interest and charm? Because readers may choose any part or
parts that especially interest them. If they are not interested in the book
for the information it gives, they will always find the short stories and
tales of Reno interesting and amusing.
Part 1. Social and Industrial Life: Is written to acquaint the intended
colonist or visitor with every phase of social and industrial life. This is
very important to know for many reasons. First the law requires that
one go to Reno for some other reason than divorce. So you may go

there for instance to become a student; it is a healthful and therefore a
fine place for study. The well equipped university gives ample
opportunity; and if one is taking one's children, which often happens, it
is well to know about the schools. It is well to have some other purpose
in view when joining the Reno Divorce Colony, and to carry that
purpose into effect. Also if one is not blessed with over much of the
goods of this world, one can earn one's way while waiting. This part
contains much information that is practical, useful, essential and
interesting.
The industries are very important. There are plenty of pleasant
positions to be had; plenty of opportunity for business, as you will learn
by reading this part; also many sorts of amusement, so that no one need
be bored. It is best to keep busy; busy people seldom get lonely; lonely
people often are too much in quest of companionship.... Moral, don't
play with fire; and if you do get into trouble don't blame it on the
"altitude." Reno's altitude has been somewhat abused by colonists in
the past; loneliness is much more to blame for the unhappy state of
mind so often experienced out there, and loneliness is mostly the result
of idleness.
Part 2. Reno Tragedies: Consists of a few short tales of people who
have been members of the divorce colony. Whilst the comedy part
describes characters who find life is all froth, who skim its surface, so
to speak, those portrayed in this chapter are people who take existence
seriously; who want to drain the cup of life to its last dregs! If one
listens as one reads one can almost hear the steady heart throbs.....
These are not exactly blue law stories, but as many great authors have
taken the liberty of depicting things just as they found them in real life,
my humble self has availed itself of the same prerogative. These tragic
little tales of the divorce colony should be dear to you as they are to me;
they are most appealing sketches in life.....
Part 3. Reno Romance: Relates the story of a fair Virginian whose
youthful mistake is righted through the Reno divorce courts. The fair
heroine is reunited with her girlhood sweetheart, and they live happily
ever after; a short story depicting another type of Reno divorce case.

"Let us begin dear love where we left off, Tie up the broken threads of
that old dream."....
Part 4. Reno Comedies: Has been written to give the reader, whether a
would-be colonist or not, a glimpse of the humorous side of the
occurrences in this much-talked-of little city. Happiness after all is not
a question of the place, because "the city of happiness is in the