Catoctin clarion., 1910-01-13
copyright. 1910. by American Press Asso-
ciatiOn.I


"Obey," said the clergyman.
Il won't" replied the bride.
The clergy man looked surprised. then
shut up the book.
Jenny exclaimed her father.
Say it," said her mother. "You
needn't pay any attention to 1t after
you're married. haven't"
"Can do thatT asked Jenny of the
clergyman.
mo"
Leave it out" said Tom to the domi-
nee.
THAT is not permitted. This service
Is prescribed by the church. have
no power to add to it or take away
from It,"
'Oh. Jennyv exclaimed an aunt.
Say 1t, sweetheart" whispered the
groom. "I'll give you your way In
everything"
II won't" said Jenny.
Jenny" said her father angrily.
I'm ashamed Of you"
Jenny began to cry. and from crying
she became hysterical. Her mother
put her arms about her and attempted
to quiet her. but without effect.
Cant you slur 1t over?' the groom
asked of the clergyman. Its only
form anyway"
"Slur 1t over! Only form! Every
word of this service has been carefully
considered. and every word means
something"
The hubbub commenced anew. The
clergyman stood waiting while efforts
to induce the bride to speak the OBJ
jectionable word were renewed. Final
ly the clergyman. with Il twinkle in his
eye. said impressively:
Dearly beloved. whereas Thomas
and Jane having come to me to be
Joined together In the bonds OF holy
matrimony. and whereas the church
in its wisdom formed this service to
give to every family a head. and
whereas Jenny refuses to acknowledge
Thomas as that head. | see but one
way by which the intention Of the
church can be carried out in this case.
Let Thomas acknowledge Jane as the
head of the family: let him promise
the required obedience. II he will do
this ! will proceed with the cere-
mOny."
Every eye was turned upon Tom.
some In evident expectation that he
would accept this solution of the prob
lem. some knitting their brows and
giving vent to their disapprobation In
subdued mutteriDgs.
"I'll be-hanged If III do Ill" ex-
claimed the groom.
The bride wept on.
"Tom." whispered his mother, 1.-The
word doesn't mean anything. A WON
an always expects her husband to be
at the head Of the house. II he isn't
she doesn't respect him"
Never" cried Tom. growing excited.
Tommy" pleaded his Amt Mary,
"do be reasonable and stop this fracas;
it's disgraceful."
"Thomas," put in his Uncle Josh,
you might as well promise. foull
have to knucke down anyway"
1T isn't that" replied Tom excited
ly. ~ don't care who's head. I'm
man, and III be. I'll never knuckle
under to a woman-openly."
Me, too" said Uncle Josh. but l
give In all the same"
"You give in?" snapped the wife.
Everybody knows how | have to sac
rifice to your whims."
Beloved" said the clergyman. rails
ing his voice to surmOunt the din. re
member that you are In church dedl-
Gated to the exclusive service OF iod.
Inasmuch as neither party to this SOL
emn contract will promise to obey the
other. a requirement prescribed by the
ritual, | pronounce u marriage impos-
sible."
The bride gave shndder.
And ! want 1t distinctly under
STOOD" cried the groom at the top OF
his voice. that I'm not going to make
a guy of myself have some self re-
spect, and ! have friends whose good
opinion wish to keep. II did that
every friend I've got In the world
would chaff me to death"
Not the married ones" put in Uncle
Josh.
Tom had left his hat In a pew near
by. and. darting to 1t. he picked 1t up
and was going at a rapid pace 10 the
door when the bride dartcd after him.
caught him by the coattail halfway up
the aisle, whispered something in his
ear. and the two went back to the
altar.
"Go on" said Tom to the dominic.
The ceremony proceeded. and Jenny
promised to obey with becoming meek.
ness.