The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-01
The Head Of
The Family
BY RUTH GRAHAM

Not word had been spoken to inter.
rupt that current of romance down
which they had been sailing ever since
they became conscious that they loved
But there is always a beginning.
My dear" he said pettishly, II sup.
| pose I must go through another day
with safety pin for a suspender but
tonT'
Another day, dear. What do you
mean?"
IF | remember Alright. this liz the
third time | have asked you to re-
place the button that came off week
ago"
She made no reply, but went to her
workbasket, got out what was needed
and sewed on the button.
Romance had given place to reality.
From that moment she began the du-
ties Of wife. Her day was all for
her husband. When ,she arose In the
morning her first duty was to see that
he had what pleased him for break
fast. She poured his coffee with her
own hand. Then when he had gone
for the day she superintendent the
household affairs, planning that every
thing might be In order against his re-
turn. In the evening she consulted his
pleasure. If he wished to go out she
went out with him. Ii he preferred to
stay at home she stayed at home with
him. 1t seemed to her that there was
scarcely an hour in the day that she
was not working for him
And he? He went down to business
In the morning and worked hard all
day--for her. When his competitors
got ahead of him, when wrangling
over disputed business transactions
fretted him, when he failed To make
money or when he met with success 1t
was all for her. She needed expensive
clothing, and he bought 1t for her.
Every spring she must have new APP
parel, and the next spring, though 1t
was not worn or faded, 1t was no long
er In fashion. One season she must |
have hat like an umbrella, and the |
next 1t must be replaced by one no /
larger than dinner plate. Her win
ter coat must be short, and the next I
year 1t must be long. Since the hat /
could not be developed nor the coat
heightened, they must be cast Off and
new ones purchased. He wondered
why garments never grew smaller, so
that those purchased the year before
might be reduced.
One day she reproached him.
THE day Is not long enough" she
said. for me to do all | have to do
for my master / did not know when
| married you that | was bringing
upon myself slavery. As girl could
devote all my time to myself. Then
was light hearted because ! was free.
had no ones clothes 10 mend except
my own. | had no household duties.
spent my leisure time going to thea
'ers, balls and such other amusements
rs / preferred Oh. woe is me that
should have married and become a
SLAYER
And he replied:
From morning till night | am down
own making money for you TO spend
or gowns and hats that won't stay In
ashton long enough to get the new
If them. | must provide house rent
md sustenance for you and the thou
iand other things that you require. |
lever go fishing or shooting, as l did
,efore was married, for now, having
our necessities to supply, have moth
ng left for indulging In those sports
e which / used to be so fond. My
owing piece went into fur coat for
ou. and you are wearing my fishing
ackle on your head. oh, woe is me
hat / ever married and became a
lavem
One day baby came.
The dutiese the wife were changed.
he husband returned to the use of
afety pins in lieu of buttons. She
adj no longer time to mend his linen.
lis clothing remained torn.
The baby needed all her attention,
equiring more changes of clothing in
day than her husband needed in
'eek. She spent much time preparing
be child's food. He had collie often.
uring which she must dandle him,
nix with him and give him medicines
very day he must have the sun and
r In his carriage, and his mother, I'M
-illing to trust him to a nurse, trun-
led him herself. When she was not
undling him she was making or buy
IL clothes for him, and when she was
0t doing these she WAS receiving In
ructions from the doctor as to what
he should put into his stomach and
hat she should put over 1t.
And the husband. He was now glad
get downtown in the morning TO es-
Ipe the baby's squalls. He passed
ost of the night walking with his son
lex and forth when the boy had collie
I'd was tired out with loss of sleep.
ut in his Office there was quiet. Be
des. in his Office he was master,
hich he was not at home.
One morning the husband. who had
ken care OF the baby during the
CHIT that his wife might get "a little
eep," began the old plant, II am
,ur slave" Tsis awakened her own
rmer words. ut is l who am your
ave-"
This started the wrangle again.
ords were getting high when there
as a diversion.
There came a sudden yell from the
ID. Both rushed TO see what was