The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-08
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The Head, Of
the House
I. llila IIa - 5a-f .nEr
A Stoty For Young Men About
o to Be Married.
By EDWARD B. KNIGHT
Copyright by American Press Asso-
D citation, 1911.

Ing in that one week than there would
be in five years of the married life be-
fore them. Then Sam called a halt to
Hook practically at the future. He was
not man to drift through life; he pre-
ferred to prearrange everything. 1t
seemed that there was a great ocean
ahead of him and Theo, of comfort or
suffering, of anxiety or discord, Of con-
tentment or unhappiness, 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
nander lay down on chart the exact
course the family ship should sail?
To begin at the bottom, was he to be
the commander? The very fact of his
asking himself the question shows the
depth of his Understanding. If a gen
eral is to conduct a campaign 1t is
necessary that his word be the law
for his army. Martindale realized at
once that if 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 a preliminary reconnaissance in
order to feel the enemy.
"Theo," he said gravely, "since you
and l are to pass our lives together
1t may be well for us to come to an
understanding on one important point.
In every government, every business,
every family. in order that the wheels
may run smoothly, there must be one
head. / would like to know how you
feel about the matter"
at seems to me-" said Theo after
thought. "that we should both be
head"
Martindale was not prepared for
what he considered flying right in the
face of the fundamental principles of
order. What was the family but a
miniature state? And the idea of a
state having two governors! Absurd!
Theo saw by the expression of his
face that she had assumed too much.
so she FASTENED to say: "Why, dearie,
don't you know that a woman just
loves to lean on a man for guidance
You're to be head, of course"
This was great relief to Sam. He
took his fiancee in his arms, kissed her
and said:
sweetheart. ynu have no ddea how
happy you've mode me by saying that.
Our future happiness depends upon it.
There must always be a 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. filled with Coy that the basic prin-
ciple of married life-in his case-had
been settled without a word of dis
pute Indeed, it 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
a big wedding fits galore, rice throw
fng. a trip and n last settling down
in home of tbnir own During the
engagement Thee had never expressed
an opinion. much less made a decision
that would have fnterfered with Sans
position as heir apparent to the soy,
'ereignty of the fsmily
Theo had long peen connected with
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 q
feverlsh condition and in other ways
Indicating that cara must be taken tc
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
Ill and with the probability of coming
back to face pneumonia -
\ "What do you mean by even think
ing of going ioutPi he exclaimed,
"Why, dearie, they can't get on with
out me-"
"They will get on without you.
forbid your going"
ooh. / couldn't possibly stay al
home. I'll wrap up well, wear my
rubbers and keep dry. There's not 8
bit of danger" Eel
Martindale sat with his morning pa
per on his lap, looking fiXedly at his
wife, while she continued to put or
her belongings with as much sang
froid ms If she had not heard the com
mand of her lord and master Wher
she was ready she took up an um
brella, bent over her husband, kissed
him and went out -l
swell, by Jove! | like thatv' ex
claimed Sam to himself as soon as the
door was closed behind his wife.
1t would be impossible to give ar
adequate description of the disappoint
ment, chagrin. modification and fore
holdings the young husband experienc
ed at this utter disregard for his word
Of command as captain of the family
ship. He carried out the simile thus
In the face of storm he had ordered
precautions, whereupon the crew had
SFrOwdad IN sail IN uVract fha vasaai