The Van Buren press., 1875-06-22
MISCELLANY.
THE MOTHER IN-LAW.
BY L. II. MARCELLUS.

When we undertake q dissertation on
mother,n.laws, we know that we may
provoke considerable opposition and re.
scntmcnt-ana yet, wherefore? A good
mothcr-in law is blessing to family /,
she stands at Bcncdict's side with good
counsel; she operates at every tempest
on the domestic and connubial horizon
as conciiator and tranquilzcr; she is
the guardian angel Of the little ones in
short she is u perfect treasure. A bad
mother in law. on the contrary, is the
demon Of the household, and 1t is such a
one that now comes within the range of
our pen.
Augustus Simpson,a prosperous young
merchant, is about to marry the daughter
or the deceased Major Bayard. Charlotte
is a sensible and good hearted girl, he.
sides being accomplished and pretty She
and her mother have Of late lived rather
sparingly, for the pension Of a majors 5
rcict is not of such magnitude as to
warrant her cutting any brilliant capcrs
on the strength thereof; still they have
always carefully observed the outward
prH.pr'euos ~n.ulafr
Simpson knows that his hheroD..
fortune, but this matters nauoht ,.,,r,nd
for he possesses stable and nourshing
business, and he is too sensible a man to
measure a woman's worth by the size of
her bank account. He desires wife who
will respond to the warnings Of his heart,
one who, when his days work is done,
will cheer his spirits, and lend his hearth
stone touch Of paradise When enga.
ged with the duties OF his busnesss, he
devotes to it all his thoughts and ener.
gics, but elsewhere he shakes off its dry,
exhaus ing cares, and joins the social
circle, or interests himself with literature
and art, for he is man Of refined tastes
and sensibilties. He loves Charlotte de.
votedly and truly, and does not doubt for
Il moment that he shall be happy with
her.
Charlotte's mother is q tall lady, Of
slender, even withcrcd, figure. She is
descended from an impoverished but ar.
istocratic family, one Of the F. Fs of
the state, and glances back with inward
pride on her pedigree. She has pair of
large, dark, almost uncomfortably gilt
terng eyes, and in her entire bearing is
a certain stiff grdndezzd, the characters.
tic accompaniment of blue blood. Ne.
cessity alone has induced her to consent
to her daughters union with the plebc
ian, Mr.. Simpson. whose father was a
porter in grocery store. Simpson has
never been able to approach her with ut
ter confidence, although she is always
mcasurably friendly towards him. "Bu',' y
thinks he. "you ale marrying the daugh'
ter. and not the mother and with this
reflection all uncasincss instantly van
ishcd.
Mrs Major Bayard has never, hitherto,
made any particular pretentions to the dn-
tifulncss of her prospective son in law.
This strikes him for the first time, one
morning, when he had gone out with
Charlotte to select their future residence.
The old lady has honored them with her
escort, and whilst they arc pcrambulating
thc rooms Of house which they have
concluded to take, she remarks, IN tone
of quiet decision.
"rhcse two appointments wish rcscr'
we'd tor myself; the rest. Mr.. simpson,
YOU may arrange At your pleasure.
Simpson looks at his aiianced, some
what astonshcd, aud she, slightly reden-
ing, whispers:
Dear Augustus. mamma wishes to
live with us, and wish it, too; because,
YOU see, ! shall not be so lonely. then,
throughout the livelong day, whilst you
are occupied with your business affairs, y
Simpson cannot deny his darling this
wish, more particularly as she looks at
him so tenderly and lovingly. Thinks he,
.She is right; why should the oil lady
who has grown accustomed to her child S
society now be forced to live aloreF BE
sides, the additional expense will amount
to nothing.
In the depths Of his heart, however,
he cannot help thinking it somewhat
" cheeky" that madam wants the two
most desirable rooms Of the house reser
we'd for herself
simpson is married He is happy, and
everything looks lovely. He has had his
rooms arranged according to his taste
and the furniture placed so rs best an
swers his ideas of comfort and llltness
On the eyonng Of the first day after his
marriage, no is returning in the happiest
bumor from his place Of business he Is
cnraptured in anticipation OF the blissiul
he urs he will chat away with Charlotte IN
their cosy sitting. groom at home, Finally
bo rcache, the house; he enters and re