The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-07
TRADE OF MATES BRINGS NEW
HAPPINESS TO FARM COUPLES
IN PRAIRIE MARITAL ROMANCE
RealiQned Families Scornful to
the Critical, Hospitable
to the Silent
WOMEN STATE TRADE EVEN
Your Hat Was Knocked OF,
Wasn't It, Mama?' Child
Says About Quarrel

WASH SSV Vs0sU0s Ss"sN
Says About Quarrel
Minot, Feb. 7.-(R)-A new happi-
less, born of the unusual procedure OF
/ trade Of mates, Is claimed today
" Mr.. and Mrs. Willis knight and
Ar. and Mrs. Lawrence Rikansrsld.
iving about ~ miles northwest OF
dinot, in Renville county.
interviewer into the strange story
II an exchange Of husbands. wives
md children. which has focused upon
hem widespread attention. Is their
own romantic tales of mutual belief
that they would find more enjoyment
In life II they were remated.
Toward those who would be critical.
the realigned families are scornful;
but to those whose comments arc
their hospitality befitting
the event Of recent matrimony is ex-
tended.
It Is the second honeymoon" for
each of four, and they are spending
1t quietly. For II years, Mr.. and Mrs.
Knight had lived together, and had
become the parents Of five children.
It is IL years since Mr.. and Mrs. Rik-
ansrud were married, and they are
the parents Of q son and q daughter.
Now, following double divorce and
q double wedding. the former Mrs.
Knight has gone to the Rikansrud
home taking four Of her five children
with her, and the former Mrs. Rik-
ansrud has gone to the home Of
knight, taking her two children and
becoming the foster mother Of one
boy who remained with his father.
Took Personal Things
The women took with them only
those personal things which had been
received by them as gifts, and the
playthings Of the children, leaving
the remainder Of their personal prop
erty in each home. It was as nearly
q fair trade, so far as household goods
were concerned, as could have been
effected, the two women declare.
The explanatory stories Of the two
couples told Of a steadily Diminishing
affection on the part Of each with re-
spect to his or her mate, and of an
increasing fondness for the mate ot
the friendly neighbor.
For more than two years, the two
families, living q mile and half
apart, were closest Of friends. Their
children played together. and the
parents found enjoyment together In
attendance at dances and other social
functions.
As this association became more
frequent, so dwindled the regard o1
one mate for the other, with q cor.
responding increase in admiration fol
the husband or wife Of the neighbor
Gradually, the breach in each
family widened and then came thu
climax. It was at the Knight home
as both couples were making ready te
attend q dance, that q quarrel devel-
oped and frank statements and ad-
missions were made.
Remain Friends by Pact
From this misunderstanding wa!
evolved the plan for double" di'
vorce. q double" remarriage to diff
ferent mates; an agreement on prop
erty settlement: and decision that thu
mothers should be permitted to keel
their children. But-and this wa!
. positive understanding-they shoult
remain friends, and up to date thi
agreement has not been broken.
Each family has visited at the hom
Of the other, since new wife ant
her children have come to the house
hold; the men have helped each othe
with their work: they have gone II
town together to do their trading
and the children still play together
At present the wives are contract
ing In . little home education Of thei
youngsters. attempting to teach ther
that they have new papas and shoul
50 call them.
Little blue-eyed Eileen, who wen
with her mother to the Knigh
home. Is learning slowly. She told
Iwisitor that my papa y over there
| pointing IN the direction Of the Rik
ansrud farm. Also. by her brie
comment Eileen made her mother
story o. the quarrel Of the parent
more emphatic when she chirpe
"Your hat was Knocked Oft, wasn't !
uaama3" Financially speaking, th
| couples regard the exchange as cheal
In I'll, m expenditure Of about 81
wa9 involved. but the new Mr.. an
NrS. Rikansrud, and the Mr.. and Mr.
KNIGHT are those who can be quote
- saying that Il was WORT. It, whe
happiness WAS involved.