Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-12-16
Mary Grey's Mother.in-Law.
A Christmas Story.

$50 your mother-in-law is coming to
live with you," remarked Miss Susan
Skinner, contemptuously, giving hel
head toss which set all the little pink
bows on her cap dancing.
Pretty, plump, little Mrs. Grey opened
her brown eyes in mild surprise at her
visitors tone.
"Why, yes, Miss Susan, mother
Grey's last child has married and moved
away from her, and now she is left quite
alone. Henry always was her favorite,
and I, knowing it would please him,
suggested that she should rent or sell
the farm, and make her home with us,
and she has consented to do So"
Humph all the more fool you |!
You have got yourself into pretty fix
now, Mary Grey. She will never leave
you as long as she lives /; you can make
up your mind to that, and bid goodbye
to peace for the rest OF your days"
"Why, Miss Susan" said Mrs. Grey,
regarding her old neighbor with sur
prise, 81 don't understand you. l am
sure never want mother to leave us,
and as for peace, what difference can
her coming make ?"
"Oh, you'll see. " replied Miss Susan.
nodding her head wisely, while her
knitting needles kept time to her shrill
tones with @ sharp click click. you'll
see You will repent of your bargain
before month is over, mind what l tell
you. OF all the mean, conniving, med
dlesome women in the world, it is
mother-in-law."
Mrs. Grey began to feel little
annoyed. "What do you know about
it9" she could not refrain from saying.
Humph you needn't twit me with
being an old maid, Mary Grey I thank
my stars that I'm not tied to any man,
nor what's worse, to any mans mother.
What do know about moth ars -in-law
More than want to. goodness knows
Why, there was my cousin Lucinda,
who was obliged to leave her husband,
and 60 home to her father, just on &C
count of her mother-in law and Alice
Lawson, poor, little, weak creature, who
used to live in this very house, was SO
imposed upon and ill used by her hus-
bands mother. that they do say it killed
her; anyway, she died just three months
after her mother-in-law came to live
with her. Why, I know of lots of such
cases, and, if woman isn't awfully
strong minded, her mother in-law Just
runs right over her and rules the house,
and, if she is strong minded, they are
continually iangling and quarreling, SO
you see that, altogether, woman's best
way is to keep entirely away from her
mother-in-law."
"But, Miss Susan, these are only ex-
oo,,tipno1 cocoo ooil Mro nuo,
am sure there are good and true women
in the world belonging to this class"
"Well, I'd just like to see one OF
them, that's all I see it's no use
arguing with you, Mary; you're too set
in your own way; mark my words, my
dear, you will rue the day you ever let
that woman come into your house," said
Miss Susan, in tone of settled convic.
ton. "When do you expect Mrs.
Grey2" she asked, rising, and folding
up her knitting work.
"TO-morrow evening""
$50 soon? Well, I'm sure, I hope
you will be able to get along with her.
Miss Susan, with a little SYM
pathetic sigh.
Often during the remainder of that
day and the next, Mrs. Grey found her
self wondering what her husbands
mother was like. He had always seemed
30 proud and fond of her, that she was
predisposed to love her; to regard her
with that reverence and affection which
she had cherished for her own dead
mother. She thought how nice itwould
De to have some one to whom she could
20 with all her little troubles and ankle
les, some one who would sympathize
With and counsel her; and how pleasant
t would be for Henry to have his mother
llways near him, where he could watch
,ver and oare for her.
They would make such happy
amily; Henry and herself, grandma,
nd baby Harry.
Then, in opposition to all these pleas
mt thoughts, would come up, in spite
# her, the gloomy warnings and fore
'o,iings which Miss Susan Skinner had
ttered. Gould Henry's mother be
mean, conniving, meddlesoms, or
isagreeable in any way9 No, thou
and times no. And yet the sharply
poken words had left their sting, and
he could not drive the memory of them
rom her mind. {
When train time arrived, mamma and {
ably took ~ Station at the window,
D watch for "grandma. Soon the
ound of wheels was heard, and Henry {
rove mp to the door, and handed out ,
,dy.
Mother, this is your daughter, s
fary.."
Mary looked up, and met a pair of d,
entle blue eyes looking out wistfully |
rom kindly old face.
Mary, will You let me be your
lother as well as Henry'sa" asked the ]
Idy, holding out her hands; and Mary I
embracing her warmly:
Indeed, l will Welcome home, 7
lother."