The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-01-17

common-sense people, the marriage by
contract will appear in the light of a
useful modern invention that will save
the time, money and nerves that is
usually spent in getting a girl married,
and that leaves the bride and her fam
lily wrecked when the wedding is over,
Aside from this view OF the subject,
however, there is another aspect OF the
marriage contract that makes it a
highly desirable adjunct to any we'd
ding. That Is that a contract visual
ires to us the bargains we are making
1t does not deal in glittering generai-
ties, II comes down to brass tacks. and
agrees to the specific things that the
party Of the first part undertakes to do
and give to the party OF the second
part, and likewise what the party of
the second part pledges himself or her
self to do for the party of the first part
in consideration of certain privileges
or emoluments.
Before marriage man will promise
anything, and a woman will agree to
anything. Edwin tells Angelina that
the dearest wish OF his heart is to
shield her from every wind that blows !,
that his delight will be in toiling to
crafty her every whm. and that her
lily white hands shall never do any
work harder than soothe his weary
brow.
This listens good to Angelina, and
she marries, believing that all that
will be required of her will be TO look
pretty, and waf, kiss to Edwin as
he starts off to work in the morning
And before marriage Angelina tells
Edwin that all that she wants is just
to be beautiful influence in his life,
and that her dream OF bliss Is adding
to hi, JOY and soothing and comfort
ing him in his sorrow.
After marriage both find out that
these beautiful sentiments were merely
campaign promises that neither ex-
pected to keep. Edwin grumbles over
the bills and expects Anselina's lily
white hands to get busy with the pots
and pans, and Angelina weeps because
she can't have as much finery as her
millionaire friends do, and smells Ed
wins breath when he comes home, and
raises row il he doesn't punch the
domestic time clock at the proper hour
And this difference between prenuptial
promise and ante-nuptial performance
makes them both feel that marriage Is
a failure.
All OF which might he avoided IL a
young couple contemplating marriag,
would set forth plainly and specifi.
cially in contract the rights OF both
parties in the holy estate.
II, for instance, a man signed con
tract. agreeing TO pay his wife so much
money every month on which to rur
the house. and so much money for hel
personal expenses, he would expect tc
pay il just as he would the salary oN
any employe In his office
II the woman demanded In her ante
nuptial bill Of rights the privilege o.
having her own religious opinions; o.
belonging TO whatever clubs she chose
OF having a two-weeks' vacation with
cut 4 fight to get Il; Of having he,
mother visit her once 4 year; Of beini
taken to the theater or some place o.
amusement one night a week, and o.
being treated with N much courtes,
and consideration as any other lady o.
her husbands acquaintance, II would
at least call the mans attention tc
some Of the elementary duties Of 1
good husband, and II would not strik,
him with quite such a shock Of surpris,
when he found out that his wife haC
an individual life Of her own that sh,
was not willing TO entirely surrender
when she got married
On his part, the man might file a,
equal number OF reasonable demand,
He might assert his rights to 4 latcl
key, and 10 have one evening out
week without determinations and tear
on his return ne might bind the wifi
10 be q good and thrifty housekeeper
he might claim the privilege Of reserv