Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-23
The Daughter-in-LaW.

Mrs. Tompkins' parlors were in apple
pie Order-not a speck of dust on the shin
ing piano, not a stray shred on the velvet
carpet, not an atom of ashes under the
well-flled crate. For Mrs. Thompkins
was one of those thrifty souls who keep
up appearance in spite of everything and
delight in handsomely furnished parlors,
while the kitchen is stinted to the very
closest degree of parsimony.
She was flying about, shaking out chair
covers and arranging the little china Or
naments on the mantel, in manner that
betokened a considerable amount of in
ward disturbances. There was jerk to
her elbow and toss of her head, which
forebodded woe to somebody or other.
Il am clear out of patience :" ejacula-
ted Mrs. Tompkins, at last. Il don't be-
lieve there ever was poor mortal half so
badgered as l am with poor relations =
Why couldn't Harry have married a rich
wife, while he was about it, instead of
Mary Glenn; who wasn't worth a red cent
only gOyerness at that? ,. And now the
poor dear boy is dead and gone, and left
his doll-baby of wife on my hands. /
declare it's enough to make woman cra-
y. Don't see why should be obliged 10
support her Just because she happened to
be my sons wife, Why can't she 90 to
work and do something? Too much of a
fine lady, 'spose, with her white hands
and long curls, and pink and white cheeks.
Never brought up to do any chores about
the house-can't wash dishes, nor make
biscuit, nor do anything useful. I'm tir-
ed of this sort of business.
And just as Mrs. TOmpkins made this
emphatic assertion, the door softly swung
open, and delicate girl of scarcely more
than eighteen summers, glided in. Her
deep mourning dress gave additional fair
ness to a complexion that was like snowy
wax, Swallowed with the softest rose-tint
on cheek and lips, and the tiRid, fiutter-
ing glances of her dark eye indicated her
position dependent.
"Can assist you about arranging the
parlors, Mrs. Tompkins?" she faltered, las
if uncertain how her offer might chance
to be received.
NO, Mrs. Tompkins, Junior, you can't"
said the old lady, with toss of her cap
border. Il couldn't think of allowing
such fine lady to soil her white fingers
about my work. Then you needn't go to
crying-I don't believe in people that have
such tender feelings !"
81 did not intend TO cry" murmured
poor Mary; ''but, indeed, could not help
it."
II tell you what it is, Mrs. Tompkins,
Junior" said the old lady, wrathfully,-
I'VE may as well come to an understand
ing first as last Zephaniah and me amt
we've big family of our own,
and that poor, dear Harry, our elder boy,
has been dead and gone a year." Here
Mrs Tomp<ins mechanically pulled out
a-nsA- -hardaxed- -nocket handkerchief
made a random dab az her eyes, ~ don't
see that you have any particular claims on
us. SO you'd better look out for situa-
tion as governess or to do some plain sew
ing, as soon as you can, for to speak my
mind, you've been spongin' on us about
long enough."
Mrs. Tompkinsstopped with her mouth
shut together like steel trap. Her
daughter-in-law had grown very pale.
And while / am about it," continued
the old lady, 81 may as well say that Het-
ty don't like it because you insist on stay
in in the parlOr every time Colonel Red
clitfe calls. Hes worth cool half mil
lion, Zephaniah says, and if our Hetty
makes a catch of him, why the family
fortunes as good rs made. OF course, |
when Hetty is Mrs. Col. Redcliffe, YOU
won't expect her to notice you much
she may give you some sewin' to do once
N while, but-my gracious, there's his !
carriage at the door this minute And |
ne was here only yesterday Biddy, run I
up and tell Miss Hetty to put on her pink !
lress, and take her curlS out of the pa
Redcliffe's at the door :
You can sitin the kitchen while he's here. /
Nary, and peel the potatoes for dinner, if
isn't too common work for them lily
ingers, Hetty don't want you pryin'
round when her beau's herel Run
Iuick ~
And as Mrs. Tompkins, Jr., disappear
d, Mrs. TOmpkins, ST., opened the door
nth simpering smile.
dear me, Colonel Radcliffe, who'd
ave thought of seeing you? Do walk in
we're highly honored I'm sure ~
Colonel Redcliffe was a tall, elegant
OOking man, whose wealth and station in
Ociety fully warranted the calm dignity
18th which he bowed to Mrs. Tompkins'
dulation.
take a seat on the sofa, Colonel chat
ered Mrs. Tompkins. Wont you sit a
tile nearer the fire? Not cold, eh ?
Veil, it amt so freezing like as it was yes
erday, to be sure. hope you won't get
Inpatient" she giggled; ''Hetty'H be
own in a minute"
"Who will be DOWN." inquired Colonel
looking up from the book which
e was careleSSly turning over with some
stonishment expressed in his fine fea-
lres.
"Hetty-my daughter - {
81 beg your pardon" said the Colonel, {
uietly, there is some mistake here. | {
llled to see your daughter-in-law, Hrs. ]
5mpkias'" /
"Harry's wife? ~ gasped the mamma !
Flaw. :
"And." aided Colonel RedcIiffe. ''as
ou are the nearest relative, and guardian
present. it may be well for me to men,
on to You that intend making her an l
fer of marriage. Her beauty and grace {
nder her fit wife for any man. and ! ]
n proud to think that ! have won her {
OF course, may reckon up /
l your sanction and approval"
'Ye yes :" suffered Mrs. Tompkins, 8
no was completely taken aback by the 7
Idden overthrow of her Aladdin visions I
her red haired daughter Het- a
:. However, even if Col. Redcliffe's pa a
tial establishment wasn't for daughter S
city. still it was something to keep so '
uch wealth in the family. IS
'I'll call her." she said, humidity, slip S
ng out of the room just in time to ar t
st the triumphant entry of Miss Hetty, {
it'll her curls all in a quiver of hair oil I
I'd cologne. S
$50 back, Hetty ~ she exclaimed in S
range whisper: you're not theone that's ]
antedl It's Harry's wife," "
And she shot down stairs as fast as pos |
Die.
MARY, dear ~ she said in the softest of {
mes, you're not peeling potatoesl Give I
c kiss, love. Well. you always were so
'liging. always did say Harry's wife !
rs just like my own daughter. Now, 4
IN up stairs into the parlor, and see what e
d. Redcliffe has TO say to you.
Mrs. Harry Tompkins was uncertain at g
- .rbafhar baP reSDactable mOtAer-ln- s