Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1947-09-05
By KATHLEEN NORRIS
Bell Syndicate.-WNU Features.

II Dallas wants to know
L \ which should rule, in
marriage, husband or wife?
The question probably dates
back to the exodus of Adam and
Eve from the Garden of Eden,
and the answer has always
been supremacy unsatisfactory
to women. They have been told
for centuries that the man must
rule; she must obey, as well as
love and honor. 'sWives, be SUBJ
ject to your husbands"
Laws affecting wives have
changed enormously in the last hun
dred years. No longer may a man
will away his unborn child to whom
soever he chooses. No longer may
he lawfully beat his wife, with
"rod no thicker than his finger"
No longer does a woman's oldest
son inherit the entire family for:
tune, including her home. No long
er is the discovery of pre-marital
sexual frailty cause for annulment,
with the assignment of the children
to the father.
But the fundamental injustices are
rooted far deeper than in the laws
of men, and Denise Franklin, the
writer Of the aforementioned letter,
is perhaps at the age and in the
position to feel them most. Denise
writes me that she has never been
very strong, that she and Parker
have four very young children, that
they cannot afford. or indeed find,
domestic help.
Parker is the very epitome of
health and strength" writes Denise.
"He plays golf and tennis so we'll
that he is always guest at one
club or another, and maintains
memberships in two. He goes
hunting and fishing, sleeps like
baby, eats enormously. loves every
minute of his life.
Tired, Sick, fearful.
II was professional dancer when
we met" the letter goes on. IT
love life, too. My father, widowed,
lived only for me, we travelled a
lot, I was nine times a bridesmaid
before I married at %. Now I don't
dare look in the mirror at the tired
pale woman whose work is never
done. love my three girls and fat
baby boy. I'd like more children.
But to be always exhausted, to be
sick and fearful so often, to be i'm
patient and angry with the babies,
to wash, cook, shop for them, to
battle, feed, dress, discipline them,
is work for three women, let alone
one.
Parker isn't the helpful domes-
tic type, but l don't mind that. But
to have him hold all the authority,
handle all the money, make all de-
cisions and smile at my objections
or resentment-is that fair? Parker
is close with money; what he spends
on clubs he gives me scrupu1ously,
it comes to about $25 a month, my
allowance. Never another cent, he
shakes his head at the mere idea.
He pays bills, goes to market. His
business is one in which personal
ity pays, and he has personality.
He works hard, doesn't drink, saves
money. They say he will be rich
man some day. In other words,
Parker has everything, and
drudge away humbly in the back
ground, agreeing with everyone that
have wonderful husband, and
hating myself for saying it.
What has especially Infatuated
me, and spurred me into writing
you," the letter ends, "is the dis
covery that Parker has had a hand
some raise year ago, and has in
vested it all, without mentioning it
to me. This is treating me like a
child or a slave, and l won't stand
for. it. How can get out?"
Dignity and Courage.
I'll tell you how you can get out,
nanico T,,ef h., 1;,,;,r -