Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-03-15
The Head Of
The Fan1ily
By RUTH GRAHAM

1t was month after their marriage.
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 beginning.
my DEAR" he said pettishly, II sup
pose I must go through another day
With safety pin for a suspender but
ton?'
Another day, dear! What do you
nean?"
ri remember Alright, this is the
third time I have asked you to re-
place the button that came of a week
ago"
She made no reply, but went to her
wOrkbasket, got out what was needed
aud 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 superintended 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. If 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 It for her
Every spring she must have new ap-
parel, and the next spring, though it
was not worn or faded, it was no long
er in fashion. One season she must
have hat like an umbrella. and the
next it must be replaced by one no
larger than dinner plate. Her win
ter coat must be short, and the next
year it must be long. Since the hat
could not be developed nor the coat
heightened, they must be cast of 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.
1.-The day is not long enough" she
said, "for me to do all have to do
for my master. did not know when
I married you that l was bringing
upon myself slavery. AS girl could
devote all my time to myself. Then I
was light hearted because I was free
I had no ones clothes to mend except
my own. had no household duties.
tiers, balls and such other amusements
as I preferred. Oh, woe is me that I
should have married and become a
slaye!"
And he replied:
From morning till night am down
town making money for you to spend
for gowns and hats that won't stay III
fashion long enough to get the new
of them. l must provide house rent
and sustenance for you and the thou
sand other things that you require. l
never go fishing or shooting, as i did
before was married, for now, having
your necessities to supply, have moth
ing left for INDUCING in those sports
of which I used to be SO fond. My
int n
you, and you are wearing my fishing
tackle on your head. Oh, woe is me
that l ever married and became Il
slave."
One day baby came.
The duties of the wife We're changed
The husband returned to the use of
safety pins in lieu of buttons. She
had no longer time to mend his linen
His clothing remained torn.
The baby needed all her attention
requiring more changes of clothing in
a day than her husband needed in a
week. She spent much time preparing
the childs food. He had collie often
during which she must dandle him
walk with him and give him medicines
Every day he must have the sun ans
air in his carriage, and his mother, un
willing to trust him to nurse, trun
died him herself. When she was moi
trundling him she was making or buy
ing clothes for him, and when she was
not doing these she was receiving in
structions from the doctor as to what
she should put into his stomach ant
what she should nut over It,
And the husband. He was now glat
to get downtown in the morning to es
cape the baby's squalls. He passed
most of the night walking with his sol
back and forth when the boy had cole
and was tired out with loss Of sleep
But in his Office there was quiet. Be
sides, in his Office he was master
which he was not at home.
One morning the husband, who hat