The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-11
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! The Head OF
! the House
A Story For Young Men About
to Be Married.
BY EDWARD B. KNIGHT
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

be In five years or the married Ire DC
fore them. Then Sam called halt L
look practically at the future. He wa
not man TO drift through life; he pre-
ferred to prearrange everything. i
seemed that there was a great ocear
ahead of him and Theo. of comfort Of
suffering, of anxiety or discord, of con
tentment or unhappiness. and acros!
this ocean II became him as the head
Of the house, the pilot, TO steer theil
bark. Before taking voyage does mo-
the mariner familiarize himself witt
the areas Of probable storm and sun
shine. Of navigable water and sunker
| rocks? Why should not he as com
mander lay down on a chart the exact
course the family ship should sail?
To begin ut the bottom, was he to be
the commander? The very fact of his
asking himself the question shows the
depth of his understanding. II gen
eral is TO conduct q campaign 1t is
necessary that his word be the law
for his army. Martindale realized al
once that If he were to pilot the family
bark he must have no interference.
Having thus settled the matter by
dellberation, Martindale concluded to
breach the subject to his fiancee. mere
ly as n preliminary reconnaissance In
order TO feel the enemy.
'Theo," he said gravely, "since you
and ! are 10 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 natter"
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 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 flancee in his arms, kissed her
and said:
Sweetheart. you have no idea how
happy you've made me by saying that.
Our future happiness depends upon It.
There must always DO head to a
family. And how hard II would be for
both OF us If you had disposition to
nsurp the husbands place."
81 would never think of such a
thing"
He gave her n dozen kisses and left
her. filed with Joy that the basic prin-
,iple of married llfe-in his case-had
been settled without a word Of dis
pute. Indeed, 1t eliminated all the rest
of the problem. for since he was TO be
nndisputed captain he had no doubt
hat he could guide the family bark
safely.
The couple were married. There was
big wedding-gifts galore, rice throw.
ng. trip and at last settling down
n n home OF their own. During the
engagement Theo had never expressed
IN opinion. much less made a decision,
hat would have interfered with Sans
position as heir apparent to the soy.
ereignty of the family.
Theo had long been connected with
charitable association OF which she
vas the secretary. One morning n
fortnight after the couples return
rom their wedding trip she woke I'D
With an aching Of the bones, in a
'everish condition and in other WAYS
Indicating that care must be taken TO
lvoid severe illness. perhaps death.
But. there was TO be meeting that
lay 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
II and with the probability of coming
'ack to face pneumonia.
what do you mean by even think
ng OF going outT' he exclaimed.
why. dearie, they can't get on with.
nut me-"
"They will get on without Won.
orbid your going"
"Oh, couldn't possibly stay NJ
ome. I'll wrap up well, wear NV
ubbers and keep dry. There's not a
Ii Of danger"
Martlndale sat with his morning ma.
er on his lap, looking 6xedly at his
'ife, while she continued to nut ON
er belongings with as much sang
roid as II she had not heard the com.
land OF her lord and master. When
ne was ready she took up an um.
rella, bert over her husband. kissed
I'm and went out.
wen, by Jovel like thatw ex.
laimed Sam to himself rs soon as thu
oor was closed behind his wife.
IL would be impossible to give an
dequate description Of the disappoint.
'ent' chagrin, modification and fore.
ouings the young husband experienc.
!, . at this utter disregard for his word
command as captain of the family
MP. lilo carried out the smile thus.
the face Of a storm he had ordered
'ecautions. whereupon the crew had
'owded on sail to wreck the vessel 1
what was to no dona9 .r-s. ,