Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-07-08
Selett Storp.
YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW.
HgR SIDE OF THE sToRY-ASD PRETTY
GOOD STORY, TOO.

A good many things. some OF them
good, many OF them sharp. and occasion
ally cruel. having been said of late
of mothers in law. and now comes
one Of this much talked OF class and tells
her side of the story. That she tells it
we'll be admitted by all who read il.
Lett = widow, alter few years OF
most unhappy married life, retired with
my two children, to Il small town where
intended 20 subsist upon my very mod
crate means. and devote myself TO the
care OF their education.
think the enjoyment We have in our
children before they reach the asc Of ten
is very great. All faults and evil ten.
denotes seem SO sure 10 be eradicaled
with time, we can scarcely believe the
pains We are taking viii ever have any
but tue desired result. These early
promises are so beautiful Every child
ish liking seems talent lacking only op'
por;unity to develop into excellence.
Ny girl and boy went TO school in the
morning. In the afternoon we walked
together. and We all three enjoyed those
long rambling walks. Then our tea ta
bic, and our evenings when l lead to
lhem-how delightful was our compan.
iou.hip How | tried in every way 10
SOW the good seed haze said that my
means were snail, but my wants were
few, aud | considered it my duty to make
them fewer. for my childrcn's sake.
took care that they were always well
dressed. often working until late at night
a. thsir clOlheS-my own were plain
enough. They never knew. of ;ou,se,
the .ac. .iices . made that lley might
have pleasure.
That my children loved me. respected
me, | need not repeat. Their first thought
always seemed TO be of me. S,t Christ
mas they presented me with horrid little
daubs. which still treasure. tied up IN
little packages. and dated. All! happy.
happy day!-days when = pa per of sweet
cake is sufficient Tor happiness.
The days came when thef grew less
dependent on me. James left school,
and SIS mT means did not sdmii OF his
going 10 college. l obtained admittance
for him into the place of business of a
friend. One day, l heard an acquaint
ance say that my son admired Miss
Benson. Then first saot into my heart
that acute pang of jealousy which | bad
heard 4 woman ieels when another wo-
man lays claim to her son--a bitter, un-
reasonable feeling. but strong and fierce,
trample on it as you may. ! asked James
about it; he laughed at the idea.
4 year later he announced that he was
engaged to this very girl. aud asked me
10 20 andsse her. went. She was tall
and very thin, and very sty lish locking,
with reddish hair. She wore great
maDy founces, and great deal oi jew
elry OF the pale gold kind. Her manners
were very gracious TO me, hut some how
or other there was somethiI g about her
that seemed 10 say sue was he one who
had always had right to James. while
stood out in the queer but awkward
light of one whose claims upon him were
very trihing, and quite recent.
When l went home l sat in my rocking
chair for about an hour thinking. / had
understood the formation o. every kite
he had ever flown, iathomed the capaci
ties for every toy cannon with which be
had ever just missed committing suicide,
overcome the mysteries cf marbles OF
every degree. loved every puppy and
kitten be had ever adopted ard taken to
bis heart-why could not al least TRY to
love this reddish haired girl? People
congratulated. 20! yes, | was very
much pleased. not losing a son NJ all, .!
no, oaly gaining another daughter u
-"Delightiul. eertsinly, aud early mar
riages are, as you say, SO very desirable" p"
year alterward they were married.
and remained some months with her
! family, during which time | saw her
often, and cannot say that had no fault
to find with her. Then James sought
| anJ ohta;ned a very oood noSition i'm n