Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1911-02-24
The Head Of
the House
A Story For Young Men About
to Be Married.
By EDWARD 3. KNIGHT
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.


(op1llbul u1 american freSS ASSO- z
Z cint.on. 1911. i
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Sam Martindale and Theodore Trasl
had been engaged a week. There had
been more billing and cooling and kiss
ing In that one week than there would
be In five years Of the married life be
fore them. Then Sam called a halt tc
look practically at the future. He was
not a man to drift through life; he pre-
ferred to prearrange everything. II
seemed that there was a great ocean
ahead Of him and Theo. Of comfort OF
suffering. of anxiety or discord, of con,
tentment or unhapplness. and across
this ocean it became him as the head
of the house. the pilot. to steer their
bark. Before taking a voyage does not
the mariner familiarize himself with
the areas Of probable storm and sun.
shine, of navigable water and sunken
rocks? Why should not he as com
mander lay down on chart the exact
course the family ship should sail?
To begin at the bottom, was he to be
the commanderg The very fact Of his
asking himself the question shows the
depth of his understanding. If gen
eral is TO conduct a campaign II is
necessary that his word be the law
for his army. Martindale realized at
once that II he were to pilot the family
bark he must have no interference.
Having thus settled the matter by
deliberation. Martindale concluded to
broach the subject to his fiancee, mere.
ly as q preliminary reconnaissance in
order to feel the enemy.
''Theo" he said gravely, "since you
and | are to pass our lives together
it may be well for us to come 10 al.
understanding on one important point.
In every government. every business.
every family. in order that the wheels
nay run smoothly there must be ii
head ! wonid IKE 70 sa,
feel about lae tg--s,.r, .ss..e
Seems to me- said Theo afier
thought. that we should both be-
head"
Martindaie was not prepared for
Whit lie considered flying right IN the
face Of fhe fundamental principles 9f
order. What was the family but a
miniature state? And the idea Of a
state having two governors. Absurd.
Theo saw by the expression II his
face that she had assumed too much.
SO she hasfened to say "Whg, dearis
don't You know that woman INST
loves to lean on man for guidance
You're to be head. Of course"
This was great relief TO Sam. He
took his fancee in his arms. kissed her
and sail;
Sweetheart. you have no idea how
happy you've made me by SAYING that.
Our future happiness depends upon IT.
There must always be head to a
family. And how hard It would be for
both of US if you had a disposition to
usurp the husbands place"
81 would never think Of such a
thing"
He gave her dozen kisses and left
her, filed with Joy that the basic prin-
been settled without a word of dis
pute Indeed. II eliminated all the rest
of the problem, for since he was to be
undisputed captain he had no doubt
that he could guide the family bark
safely.
The couple were married. There was
big wedding gifts galore. rice throw
ing. trip md at last a settling down
in a horne Of their own, During the
engagement Theo had never expressed
an opinion, much less made n decision.
that would haze interfered with Sans
position as heir apparent to the SOW
ereignty of the family.
Theo had long been connected with
a charitable association Of which she
was the secretary. One morning a
fortnight after the couples return
from their wedding trip she woke up
with an aching Of the bones, in a
feverish condition and in other ways
indicating that care must be taken to
avoid severe Illness. perhaps death.
But there was to be a meeting that
day Of the charitable society. and the
secretary was expected to be there.
Sam was astonished to see his wife
preparing TO go out in storm. already
i'll and with the probability Of coming
back to face pneumonia.
what do you mean by even think
ing OF going outf" he exclaimed.
why. dearie. they can't get on with
out me-"
''They will get on without you. I
forbid your going"
"Oh. couldn't possibly stay at
home I'll wrap up well. wear my
rubhers and keep dry. There's not a
bit Of danger"
Martindale sat with his morning pa
per on his lap. looking fixcdly at his
wife. while she continued to put on
her belongings with as much sang
froid as If she had not heard the com
mand Of her lord and master. When
she was ready she took up an UNI
brella, bent over her husband. kissed
him and went out
"Well. by Jovel I like thatw ex-
claimed Sam to himself as soon as the
door was closed behind his wife.
1t would he impossible to give an
adequate description of the disappoint-
ment. chaErin, modification and fore
sodings the young husband experlenc.
ed at this utter disregard for his word
Of command as captain Of the family
ship. He carried out the Simile thus.
In ~. faoo of q c+ortsa l,a Had nrdnra1