The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-06-19
YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Her Side of the Story-and Pretty Good
Que, Too.

A good many things, some of them good,
many sharp and occasionally cruel, have been
said of late of mothers-in-law, and now comes
ore of this much talked of class and tells her
side of the.story. That she tells it we'll, will
be admitted by all who read it:
Left widow, after few years of most un-
happy married life, I retired, with my two
children, to a small town, where | intended to
devote myself to the care of their education.
I think the enjoyment we have in our chill
dren before they reach the age of ten is very
great. All faults and evil tendencies seem so
sure to be eradicatcd with time, we can scarcely
believe the pains we are taking will ever have
ary but the desired result. These early prom
ises are so beautiful! Every childish liking
seems talent, lacking only opportunity to de-
velop into excellence.
My girl and boy went to school in the morn
ing. In the afternoon we walked together, and
we all three enjoyed those long, rambling
when I read to them-how delightful was our
companionship! How I tried in every way to
SOW the good seed. I have said that my means
were small, but my wants we're few, and [ con-
sidered it duty to make them fewer, for my
childrens' sakes. took care that they were
always we'll dressed, often working until late at
night at their clothes-my own were plain
CROUCH. They never knew, of course, the sac
riEices made that they might have pleasures.
That my children loved me- respected me, /
need not repeat Their first thoughts always
seemed to be of me- At Christmas they pre-
seated me with horrid liStle daubs, which
still treasure, tied up in little packages, and
dated. All happy, happy days days when
paper of sweet cake is sufficient Tor happi-
ness.
The days came when they grew tall and less
dependent on me. James left school, and, rs
my means did not admit of his going to col
lesye, I obtained eadmittance for him into the
place of business of friend. One day heard
an acquaintance say that my son admired
Miss Benson Then first shot into my heart
that acute pang of jealousy which l had heard
woman feels when another woman dares to
lay claim to her son-a bitter, unreasoning
fesling, but strong and fierce, trample on it as
you may. I asked James about it; he laughed
at the idea.
A year later he announced that he was en-
gagged to this very girl, and asked me to go and
see her. went She was tall and very thin,
and stylish-looking, with reddish hair, and
long, thin hands and feet She wore great
many founces, and great deal of jewelry, of
the pale gold kind Her manners were very
gracious to me, but somehow or other there
was something about her that seemed to say
she was the one who had always had right to
james, while stood out in the new and awk-
ward light of one whose claims upon him were
very trifing, and quite recent.
When l went home [ sat in my rocking
chair for about an hour, thinking fhad un-
derstood every kite he had ever had, fathomed
the capacities of every toy cannon with which
he had ever just missed committing suicide,
overcome the mysteries of marbles of every
degree, loved every puppy and kitten he had
ever adopted and taken to his heart-why could
not at least TRY to love this reddish-hare
girl? People congratulated me. 90! yes, l
WIS very much pleased, of course, not losing
son at all-O! Do-only gaining another
daughterp Delightful certainly, and early
marriages are, as you say, so very desirable"
A year afterward they were married, and re-
mained some months with her family, during
which time / saw her often, and cannot say
that l ever bad any fault to find with her.
Then James sought and obtained very good
position in a town distant about one hundred
miles. At first the news was very satisfactory.
Charming little house, the perfection of ser
wants. and then later, "the loveliest little
bxby," my grandson. Then, some months Ia
ter, things were not so bright. The baby had
had the Group, my son himself a touch of the
intermittent fever, servants were great plaques,
housekeeping dreadful trouble. Disturbed
beyond measure at the reiteration of these Ia
mentations, decided to 60 and see for myself
how they were circumstanced, and be of what
assistance 1 might for a short time
So one winter morning, leaving Fanny with
an intimate friend, and intrusting my house
ard all it contained to the care of one servant,
eft home alone. Arriving after dark at my
destination, found the two younger servants
erioying very comfortable meal in the kitch-
er, and the baby asleep alone in a chilly nur-
sery. My son and his wife were out spending
the evening with some friends. Their surprise
ard pleasure at seeing me on theirreturn home
appeared great Upon conyersing with Maria
the next day, found her to be very ignorant
as regarded baby's requirements. "He does
cry so dreadfully," she saide--I stayed there a
whole month perhaps it was too long, but
there always seemed something for me to do.
Took charge of the little creature whenever
his mother wanted to spend an evening in COM
psny, which was not seldom. Many and many
a lonely hour spent in that dimly lighted
room, rather than trust him to the awkward
ness of the young girl who professed to fulfill
the duties of child's nurse. l did great
deal of sewing for Maria, of whom became
fonder than had ever expected to be.
james had relapse of his intermittent fe-
yer. His wife knew nothing about sickness.
l nursed him-I who had never known fatigue
when he needed anything in former years,
would not surely fail him now. sat up with
him night after night, and showed the cook
how to prepare nice little dishes for him, such
as knew he liked-that is to say, I prepared
them while the cook looked on. Whatever was
| needed now, up stairs or down, 1 was the one
to plan and do it. At last began to think
| ought to return to Fanny; and seeing James
fairly convalescent, sought the train for my
joarney homeward. Sitting in the railroad car,
party of young people took places in front of
me, laughing and talking with eager animation,
principally about persons l knew n nothing OF,
except by name. Presently oneof them began
to speak of my sons wife.
81 used to see great deal of them at one
time, she said, "but-"