1362 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH.. 561

to Bagby's Annotated Code of Maryland, said new Article to
follow immediately after Article 72, to be known as Article
72A, to be entitled "Parent and Child, " and to contain 4 sub-
titles and sections, numbers 1 to 4, inclusive, as follows:

ARTICLE 72A.
PARENT AND CHILD.

1. Natural Guardianship; Right of Parents Over
Children.

2. Wages of Minors.

3. Suits for Injury of Minor Child.

4. Appointment of a Guardian by Parent by Last
Will and Testament.

1. The father and mother are the joint natural guardians
of their minor child and are equally charged with its care,
nurture, welfare and education. They shall have equal powers
and duties, and neither parent has any right superior to the
right, of the other concerning the child's custody. If either the
father or mother dies, or abandons his or her family, or is inca-
pable of acting, the guardianship devolves upon the other par-
ent. Where the parents live apart, the court may award the
guardianship of the child to either of them. Provided: the pro-
visions of this Article shall not be deemed to affect the existing
law relative to the appointment of a third person as guardian
of the person of the minor where the parents are unsuitable, or
the child's interests would be adversely affected by remaining
under the natural guardianship of its parent or parents.

2. If one of the parents be dead, or has abandoned the child,
or been deprived of its custody by court decree, the other is en-
titled to its services and earnings.

3. If either the father or mother be dead, or has abandoned
the child, or been deprived of its custody by court decree, the
other may sue for loss of the wages or services of their minor
child when such loss is occasioned by the seduction of the child,
or by an injury wrongfully or negligently inflicted upon it;
provided, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to super-
sede, limit, modify or affect Article 101 of Bagby's Annotated
Code of Maryland, entitled "Workmen's Compensation. "