Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
WHO SHOULD 0BEY2.
BY SADIE OLCOTT.


r1age service that won't say"
"What's that, darling?"
"Obey."
well. sweetheart, you needn't"
II won't say it won't, won'tr
but why should you say it?''
why, it's in the service, isn't it?'
"1t's in the Episcopal service, but we
needn't be married in that church,
Some Of the others are not so partic-
ular''
tom. I've been brought up in the
Episcopal church, and l a0ont be mar
riel by any other service''
well. well. darling. you needn't.
Why be so positive about itY'
because | won't. And l won't say
obey either
Tom and Jenny were married in
church. but there was no one present
except members Of their respective
families. AS the clock struck high
noon the couple stood before the altar
and 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 to
love. HONOR and stopped.
Obey said the clergyman.
II 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 it after
you're married. | haven't"
Can do that?' asked Jenny of the
clergyman.
no."
Leave 1t 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. Jennyr' exclaimed an aunt.
Say it, sweetheart" whispered the
groom. I'll give you your way in
everything"
Il WON'T" said Jenny.
Jenny said her father angrily,
'l'm ashamed OF you.''
Jenny began TO cry, and from crying
she became hyster!col. 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: ATS only a
form anyway"
"Slur it over: Only form. Every
word Of this service has been caref,1]lv
considered, and every word means
something's
Inc hubbub commenced anew. The
clergyman stood waiting while efforts
TO induce the bride to speak the OBJ
Ject1onahle word We're renewed, Final
y the clergyman, with twinkle in his
eye, said impressiyely;
"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 70
give TO- every family a head, and
whereas Jenny refuses to acknowledge
THOMAS as that head, l 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 be 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 mutterings.
'1'll be-banged if I'll do it!' ex-
claimed the groom.
The bride wept on.
''Tom," whispered his mother, 1.-The
word doesn't mean anything. A wom-
an always expects her husband to be
at the head of the house. If he isn't
she doesn't respect him.
'Never!' cried Tom, growing excited. |
'Tommy,' pleaded his Aunt Mary,
'do be reasonable and stop this fracas;
it's disgraceful,"
'"Thomas," put in his Uncle Josh, |
"you might as we'll promise. You'll |
have to knuckle down anyway"
ut isn't that" replied Tom excited |
~, II don't care who's head. I'm a
man, and I'll be. I'll never knuck]e |
under to woman-openly"
"N1e, too said Uncle Josh. but l |
give in all the same
"You give in?" snapped the wife !
Everybody knows how have to sac
rifce to your whi1ns.'
Beloved" said the clergym man, rails
ing his voice to surmount the din. ire |
member that you are in church dedi-
Gated to the exclusive service of God.
Inasmuch as neither party to this SOL
emn contract will promise to obey the
other. requirement prescribed by the
ritual. l pronounce marriage impos-
sible.'
The bride gave a shudder.
And | want il distinctly under
Stood cried the groom at the top of |
his voice. that I'm not going to make
a guy Of myself I have some self re-
spect. and l have friends whose good
opinion l wish to keep. If l 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 pew near
by, and. darting to it, he picked it up
and was going at rapid pace to the
door when the bride darted after him.
caught him by the coattail halfway up
the aisle, whispered something in his