Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-01-12
WHO SHOULD OBEY?
ev SADIE oLcoTT.


ciation.I
tom, there is one word in the mar
rage service that won't say"
whats that. dar.ing!"
"Obey.'
"Well. sweetheart, you needn't"
II won't say it'll won't, l won't"
"But why should you say it?"
"Why, it's in the service. isn't itT'
"It'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 cont be mar
ried by any other service"
"Well. well. darling, you needn't
Why be so positive about IT."
Because l won't And I 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 a clergyman in proper vestments
began the marriage service. The re-
sponses were made by the groom in
modest tone. but decidedly by the bride
until the words love, honor and obey
were to be spoken. Jenny promised to
'1ove, honor" and stopped.
"Obey," said the clergyman
Il 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 1t after
you're married. l haven't"
Gan do that?" asked Jenny Of the
clergyman.
mo"
leave it out" said Tom to the domi-
nee.
THAT is not permitted. This service
Il prescribed by the church. l have
no power to add to 1t or take away
from it"
''Oh, jenny exclaimed an aunt
''Say it, sweetheart" whispered the
groom I'm 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 It overY' the groom
asked Of the clergyman. ITS only
form anyway"
"Slur it over! Only a 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
" the clergyman. with a 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. If he will do
this l 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.
"I'n be-hanged II III do it," ex-
claimed the groom
The bride wept on.
"Tom," whispered his mother, ''the
word doesn't mean anything. A wom-
an always expects her husband to be
at the head Of the house. II he isn't
she doesn't respect him."
"Neverw 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"
1T isn't that" replied Tom excited
~. II don't care who's head. I'm
man, and I'll be. I'll never knuckle
under to woman-openly."
me, too." said Uncle Josh. but
give In all the same"
you give In" snapped the wife.
Everybody knows how l have to sac
riice to your whims."
Beloved" said the clergyman, rails
ing his voice to surmount the din. IRE
member that you are In a 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. pronounce a marriage impos-
gible"
The bride gave a shudder.
And ! want 1t distinctly under
$1,000 n~sr1 81. <xr<,,v,n the TON nH