The Bottineau courant., 1912-12-06


not the sacred book say that a man
must leave father and mother and
cleave unto his wife? And how can he
do that unless his wife leaves father
and mother and cleaves unto him? His
wife's family had striven to prevent
the marriage and since the wedding
had treated him with contempt He
would not go to their abode, but they
came to his-to see his wife. not him.
and to influence her against him. Then
he had forbidden them to come. His
wife said they should come and that
she would go to see them. Perhaps
this was natural, but every man must
be master Of his own house. Since he
could not be he had left it. What
pity that a household should be broken
up by such cause!
He had been much disappointed at
his wife's course. He had waited for
her to take what he considered proper
action in the matter, and when he
found that she would not he had TAX
en- action himself. He had forbidden
her to 90 to see her family.
When John Underwood came to this
feature Of his meditations he WINGED.
Had he not demanded that which was
not natural? Suppose his Lucy should
grow up and marry man who forbade
her to visit Johnny and Willie and the
baby. What would he think of that
man?
The thought turned the current of
his meditations into another channel.
After all, had he right to forbid his
wife to visit her relatives? Perhaps.
since they we're obnoxious to him, he
had a right to forbid them his house,
but it was another thing to forbid her
to visit them. This doubt as to the nat
uralness, the wisdom, of his course
caused pang. So long as he had felt
that he was right he could endure the
consequences of his act But this pic
ture Of his injustice that thrust itself
In upon him was grip fastened upon
his heart. And the more he thought
about it the tighter the grip. '''
An impulse came to him to 60 home,
confess his error, and he, his wife and
his children could enjoy their Christ
mas as before the separation. He was
turning to take up his hat and coat and
carry out this purpose when he stop
ped short. What would be the use?
The wrangle would 60 on as before.
Never mind that. He had taken posi-
tion which was wrong, and he could
not rest until he had repudiated it.
Yes; he would 60 up and propose
compromise-that his wife might visit
her family whenever she chose, but
that they should remain away from his
| house.
The distance to his house was sew
! eral miles. He had made half of 1t
| when through the still falling fakes
he saw woman's figure coming to-
| ward him. When she came closer he
! saw that she was his wife.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
ITO see you. l have a compromise
to propose, in order that you, and
the children may enjoy this blessed
| Christmas"
"And I was going to you for the
same purpose"
"What have you to propose?"
II was wrong to forbid you to visit
your relatives. You may 60 whenever
you like
"No: it would be wrong to go where
you cannot go. I will not go to see
them unless they need me-"
"Do as you please about that l am
ready to go home with you"
They turned and walked homeward.
John Underwood noticed that his wife's
| cloak was thin. She was shivering.
Taking off his overcoat, he put it about
her. This necessitated his inclosing her
in his arms. She looked up in his face
with an expression he had not seen
there in long while. He kissed her
When they reached their home they
saw Mrs. Underwood's father coming
out Of the gate. He seemed much sur
prised to see husband and wife to-
gether.
"'How is this?" he asked.
II was wrong" said John Underwood,
Ito forbid Ellen to visit her own flesh
and blood"
AAu was WIOuS' odAu lAO VAC'
ito 60 where John cannot CO."
1--WE are all wrong" said the third
person in the group. 1--WE are about to
celebrate the birth Of our Lord in a
state of disobedience to his commands.
He has told us, First be reconciled to
your brother, then lay your gift upon
the altar 1 came to invite you. my
daughter. and through you your hus-
band to eat your Christmas dinner
with us this year, and have the prom
Use Of each member Of my family that
you shall both be made welcome
John Underwood entered his home
with not only temporary but per-
manent load lifted from his shoulders
He took each Of his children in his
arms in turn, and there was not one of
them, except the baby. but clung to
him. refusing to be parted.
It was late that night when Mrs. Un-
derwood telephoned to her parents that
their invitation was accepted.
When the chimes on Christmas morn