The Wedding Ring

1895

The ring was considered a badge of servitude by some and was for that reason given by the man to his wife, like our forefathers, who were accustomed to give the future son-in-law one of the bride's shoes as a sign of authority over her. It was reputed to be accompanied by a tap on the head of the bride with the said shoe by the husband in order to assert his prerogative. The ring was used in ancient times as a sign of contract, and from that fact, according to the antiquary Brand, it was nearly abolished by the Puritans of Cromwell on account of its heathenish origin. Butler, in his "Hudibras," refers to it:

Others were for abolishing
That tool of matrimony, a ring,
With which the unsanctified bridegroom
Is married only to a thumb,
As wise as ringing of a pig
That used to break up ground and dig.

The circlet of love withstood the assaults of the sanctified Roundheads, and Cupid's yoke did and does still have sway. An old Latin writer thus describes the ring: "(1) It is circular, because its form importeth that mutual love and hearty affection should always exist between the giver and Wearer. (2) Its rotundity exemplifieth that the loving joys of courtship and matrimony should be forever, their continuity remaining as unbroken as the circlet itself." — Chambers' Journal.

Wife Orders Suit for Her 500-pound Husband

1920

Wife Orders Suit for Her Husband; Tailor Finds He Weights 500 Pounds

WHEELER, Vt. - Several weeks ago Henry Boxlight moved his family here from Blounts Mills. One day last week Mrs. Boxlight entered Peter Norton's tailor shop and ordered a suit of clothes with two pair of trousers for her husband.

Norton was anxious to receive the order and accepted $25 as payment towards a $40 suit. Mrs. Boxlight received a receipt for her money, with a statement for the balance in one month. She informed the tailor that she would send her husband down to be measured for the suit.

The next morning Boxlight called on Norton and revealed the object of his visit by bringing out the sample of the cloth for his suit. Norton angrily refused to take his measurement and offered to refund the $25. Boxlight refused to accept it.

A day later Mr. and Mrs. Boxlight and Norton told their stories to Judge White. Norton said that when he accepted the order he supposed that Mr. Boxlight was an average sized man; that he could not make the suit and trousers for a 500-pound man at $40 - that he would be losing money.

Mrs. Boxlight said her husband's size was no excuse.

Judge White ruled that Norton must carry out the contract.

Mrs. Boxlight and Norton have compromised, it is reported, Norton giving her $5 to cancel the order.

Temperament Is a Costly Luxury for Misha Elman

1920

FAMOUS VIOLINIST, WHO BROKE CONTRACT TO PLAY HERE, FORCED TO PART WITH COIN

Misha Elman, "the Great Elman," by his own admission, has learned that an "artistic temperament" is a costly luxury, especially when he gives vent to it in Appleton. The famous violinist is out several hundred dollars because of his refusal to carry out his contract to appear in a concert at Lawrence Memorial chapel a few weeks ago, it was announced this morning. Dean F. V. Evans of Lawrence Conservatory yesterday received a check from Elman's lawyers in payment in full of the conservatory's claims against the artist. The conservatory was represented by Attorney J. P. Frank.

It will be remembered that Elman was to appear here in concert shortly after Max Rosin, boy violinist thrilled Appleton music lovers, but the Russian star was seized with a fit of temperament and refused to go on with the concert because music lovers had been invited to compare his music with that of Rosin. "Compare me, the great Elman, with Max Rosin, a mere boy, bah!" Elman is alleged to have said. He also was peeved because, he said, his concert was not advertised sufficiently.

His lawyers, however, apparently reached the conclusion that in this country "artistic temperament" cannot be accepted as an excuse for violation of contract. Their payment to Dean Evans completely vindicates the latter in his dealings with the artist. It is also possible that Misha Elman will exercise better control of his emotions hereafter.

--The Appleton Daily Post, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 6, 1920, page 5.

Note: His name is frequently spelled Mischa Elman in references to him online.