The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-01-14
WHO SHOULD OBEY2
sx SADIE oLcoTr.
copyright, 1910. by American Press Assoc
ciation.

some of the others are not so partic-
liar"
TON, I've been brought up in the
Episcopal church. and cont be mar
led by any other service"
well. well. darling, you needn't.
Why be so positive about it?'
Because 1 won't. And | won't say
obey either"
Tom and Jenny were married in
church. but here was no one present
except members of their respective
families. AS the clock struck high
noon the couple stood before the altar
and a clergyman in proper vestments
began the marriage service. The re-
sponses were made by the groom In a
modest tone, but decidedly by the bride
until the words love, honor and obey
were to be spoken. Jenny promised 10
"love, honor" and stopped,
"Obey," said the clergyman.
81 won't" replied the bride.
The clergyman looked surprised, then
shut up the book.
jenny exclaimed her father.
Say it." said her mother. You
needn't pay any attention to it after
you're married. l haven't"
Can do that?" 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. jenny exclaimed an aunt.
Say it, sweetheart" whispered the
groom. "Pn give you your way in
everything"
~ won't" said Jenny.
Jenny" said her father angrily,
I'm ashamed of you.
Jenny began to cry, and from crying
she became hystericai. Her mother
put her arms about her and attempted
to quiet her. but without effect.
Cant you slur it over?" the groom
asked of the clergyman. ITS only a
form anyway"
"Slur it 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
iectionable word were renewed. Final
ly the clergyman, with twinkle in bis
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 tc
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. If he will d.
this l will proceed with the cere
mony."
Every eye was turned upon Tom
some In evident expectation that D.
would accept this solution Of the prob
lem. some knitting their brows AM
giving vent to their disapprobation 4
subdued mutterings.
"TH be-hanged if I'll do it" eI
, claimed the groom.
The bride wept on.
Tom whispered his mother, "th
word doesn't mean anything. A won
an always expects her husband to Q
at the head of the house. II he isn
she doesn't respect him."
"Never!" cried Tom, growing excite'
Tommy" pleaded his Aunt Mar
do be reasonable and stop this fraca
I it's disgracefu."
! Thomas" put in his Uncle Jos
! "you might as well promise. You
have TO knuckle down anyway.
: ut isn't that" replied Tom excite
". 81 don't care who's head. I'm
man, and I'll be. I'll never EnucE
under to q woman-openly."
, ME. too" said Uncle Josh, but
give in all the same"
, "You give inf" snapped the VII
- Everybody knows how have to SO
rifce to your whlms."
Beloved" said the clergyman, ra
: ing his voice to surmount the din, y
= member that you are in church de-
!, Gated to the exclusive service OF &c
> Inasmuch as neither party to this S
emn contract will promise to obey I
L other. requirement prescribed by t
= ritual, l pronounce a marriage imp
= sible."
The bride gave a shudder.
And l want it distinctly una
- stood" cried the groom at the top
y his voice, that I'm not going to ma
= a guy of myself have some self
u spect, and | have friends whose &c
~ opinion | wish to keep. II l did Il
e every friend I've got in the wo
- would chaff me to death"
" mot the married ones" put in Un
Josh.
=. Tom had left his hat in pew n
y by. and, darting to it, he picked 1t
y and was going at rapid pace to
y door when the bride darted after b
!. caught him by the coattail halfway
os the aisle, whispered something in
~ ear, and the two went back to
y. altar.
= Go on" said Tom TO the dominic
% The ceremony proceeded, and Jel
r. T promised to obey with becoming me
ness.