Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-02
NOVEL CURB FOR BAD TEMPER
Business Before Sentiment EIsmplifsd ip .
Marriage Contract
IOWA COUPLES "SULEs TO GO BY
Previous Matrimonial Experience
made Them wary and . wise
Lawyer Put Their ideas Of
Union in WHITING.

fsiah r. Harding and Mrs. Isabella En-
gelbrecht Of Dallas county, Iowa, had not
found smooth sailing upon the sea Of
matrimony. although both are. compar-
atively speaking, rich. Twice each had been
married and twice divorced.
When, therefore, seeking a consolation
prize, Harding asked Mrs. Engelbrecht IN
be ehs extreme caution attended her Of
hrmative response. WED better lay down
some rules TO go by" she said, and Hard
ing agreed.
The result was the most remarkable pro-
nuptial contract ever drawn in Iowa, and.
perhaps, In the world Veteran lawyers
say they have never seen anything quite
like IT,
II arranges for almost every possible
contingency that may arise in the welded
life Of two people.
The contract plainly sets forth who shall
build the fires, when the husband may
bring home guests to meals when the rela-
tives Of each shall visit them, how the
money is TO be divided, how often the wife
may attend social functions without being
scowled at-and even fixes a limit to the
number Of possible future Hardings.
BY observing In minutest detail the
terms of this remarkable document Harding
una MS VIE nave already enJOycu
two months of life together without a
cloud appearing in their matrimonial sky.
when Isiah asked me to marry him."
explained Mrs. Harding the other day,
ct told him that didn't feel like trying
matrimony again unless we could agree on
some things that had troubled me before.
Isiah said he'd had troubles, too, and he
fell right into the idea. That Is how we
happened to plan IT,"
So the couple proceeded to the ONCE OF
an attorney and stated what trey wished
embodied In the contract. Even the man
OF the law. accustomed as he was to the
eccentricities of human thought, was as
tonished, but he drew the document and
It was duly filed in the ONCE of the re-
corder of deeds OF Polk county. where the
prospective bride resided.
Since their marriage Mr.. and Mrs Hard
ing have been residing upon the formers
farm in Dallas county, few miles from
Des Moines. Neigiabors say they seem en-
tirely happy and at peace with themselves
and the world.
Limited to Fifteen Years.
BY the terms OF the contract Mr.. and
Mrs. Harding agree in the first place. that
they will live together as man and wife
for fifteen years This term Of years was
agreed upon after some difhculty, as Hard
ing wished to make the contract extend
twenty-five years Mrs. Engelbrecht ar
gued, however. that fifteen years was long
enough for experimental purposes, and
Harding came to her terms, else there
would have been no wedding.
II they prove unhappy at the end Of
fifteen years their welded life terminates
there and then without any other proceed
ings to the courts. Furthermore, either
party has the right at the time to declare
the contract null and void. II within the
fifteen years either becomes dissatisfied he
or she must obtain a separation through
the courts in the usual legal form.
Both Harding and Mrs. Engelbrecht
owned valuable farm lands, he In Dallas
county and she near Des Moines. 1t was
necessary to make careful arrangements
for the control of these properties.
BY the contract they cut their property
valuation in two and each settles half ON
children by former marriages. Harding
has a son and daughter and the wife has
two sons and daughter. Their personal
property is likewise divided among the chill
dren.
In speaking of children. It may not be
amiss to mention that contract provides
definitely and stringently that there shall
Harding family. The penalty for the vio-
lation OF this rule is not set down in the
document, but It is presumed that 1t might
be regarded as grounds for separation at
the end of the fifteen years.
As to the business relations that exist
In every home, they are we'll provided for
Mr.. Harding has agreed that his wife shall
have a weekly income OF SIS. This she is
to spend for the household. But the hus-
band is to furnish the coal. and in case the
parties move to the city he Is to pay the
gas. water and ice bills.
1t is specified that each child that ar
rives shall entitie the mother to SO each
week additional.
Social Privileges.
Then follows another unique provision.
Mrs. Harding is rather fond of society She
reserves the right to attend two society
functions each week without molestation
from the lord OF the house. Should they re-
move to the city, one OF these enjoyments
shall be the theater and Harding, in that
case. must pay the bill
Mrs. Harding is a strict Presbyterian and