Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-06-17

m0thers-in-law, and now comes one of
this much talked of class and tells Ter
side of the story. That she tells it we'll
will be admitted by all who read it.
Left a widow, after a few years of
most unhappy life, retired with my two
children to small town where l intend
ed to subsist upon my very moderate
means, and devote myself to The care of
their education.
think the enjoyment we have I'm our
children. before they reach the age of ten.
is very great. All faults and evil tend
encies seem So sure to be eradicated with
time, We can scarcely believe the pains
we are taking will ever have any but the
desired result. These early promises are
SO beautiful!s Every childish liking
seems talent, lacking only opportunity
to develop into excellence. r
My girl and boy went to school i'm the
morning. In the afternoon we walked
together. and We all three enjoyed those
long. rambling walks. Then our tea
table, and our evenings, when j read to
them-how delightful was our compan-
iOnship. How | tried i'm every way to
sow the good seed. I have said that my
means were small, but my wants were
few, and considered it my duty to make
them fewer for children's sake. took
care that they were always well dressed.
often working until late at night at their
clothes. (My own were plain enough
They never knew, Of course, the sacrifices
made that they might have pleasure.
That my children loved me. respected
me. l need not repeat. Their first
thoughts always seemed to be Of me. At
Christmas they presented me with hOr-
rid daubs. which 1 still treasure, tied up
in little packages. and dated. All! happy,
happy days days when a paper of
sweet cake is sufficient for happiness.
The days came when they grew tall
and less dependent OH me. James left
school, and, as my means did not admit
OF his going to college. obtained admit
lance for him into the place of business of
friend. One day heard an acqualnt-
ance say that my son admired Miss Ben
son. Then first shot into my heart that
acute pang of jealousy, which had heard
a woman feels when another woman
dares to lay claim to her SOMA bitter,
unreasonable feeling, 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
to 90 and see her. / went. She was tall
reddish hair. She wore a great many
ti0unces, and great deal or jewelry of
the pale gold kind. Her manners were
very gracious to me, but somehow or 9TH
er there was something about her that
seemed to say she was the one who had
always had a right to James. while l
stood out i'm the queer but awkward light
of one whose claims upon him were very
trifiino, and quite recent.
When / went home / sat i'm my rock
ing-chair for about an hour, thinking.
/ had understood the formation of every
kite he had ever flown. fathomed the ca
pacities of every toy cannon with which
he had ever just missed committing sui
eide. overcome the mysteries of marbles
of every degree. loved every puppy and
kitten he had ever adopted and taken to
to his heart-cOuld not at least try to
love this reddisll-haired girl? People
congratulated. "Oh yes, was very much
pleased, not losing son at all. Oh, no
only gaining a daughtern' ''Delightfdl,
certainly; and early marriages, are as
YOU say, very desirable"
A year afterward they were married,
and remained some months with her
family, during which time saw her
often, and cannot say that i had any fault
to find with her. Then James sought
and obtained very good position in
town distant about 100 miles. At first
the news was very satisfactory. 'Charm-
ing little house, the perfection OF Ser
vants:n and then, later, s'lOveliest little
baby nv grandson. Then, some months
later. things were not quite so bright.
The baby had had the Group, my son
himself a touch Of the intermittent fever,
servants were great plaques, housekeep-
ing dreadful trouble. Disturbed be-
yOnd measure at the reiteratiOn of these
lamentations, / decided to 60 and see for
myself how they were clrcumstanced,
and be Of what assistance L might for
short time. So one winter morning,
leaving Fanny with an intimate friend,
and intrusting my house and all 1t con-
tanned to the care of one servant, lett
home alone. Arriving after dark at my
destination, found the two young SER
wants enjoying very comfortable meal
i'm the kitchen. NV son and his wife
were out spending the evening with some
friends Their surprise and pleasure at
seeing me upon their return home APP
peared great. Upon cOnversing with
Maria the next day, found her to be
very ignorant as regarded babys require
ments. HE does cry so dreadfully," she
said. stayed there whole month
perhaps it was too long, but there always
seemed to be something for me to do.
took charge of the little creature when
ever his mother wanted to spend an eve
ming i'm company, which was not seldom.
Many and many lonely hour did
spend in that dimly lighted room, listen
ing to that low breathing, rather than
trust him to the awkwardness OF the
young girl who professed to fulfill the
duties Of a child's nurse. 1 did great
deal of serving for Maria, OF whom be-
came fonder than / had ever expected 10
be.
James had a relapse of his intermittent
fever. His wife knew nothing about
sickness. I nursed him. / who had new
er known fatigue when he needed any
thing in former years, would NOT Iah nlln
now. l sat up with him night after
night, and showed the cook how to pre-
pare nice little dishes for him, such as l
knew he liked,-that is to say, prepared
them while the cook looked on. What
ever was wanted now, up stairs or down,
i was the one to plan and to do. At last
began to think ought to return to
Fanny; and seeing James convalescent,
sought the train for my journey home
wards. Sitting in the railroad car, a
party of young people took places in
front of me, laughing and talking with
animation, principally about persons l
knew nothing of except by name. Pres
emily one Of them began to talk of my
sons wife.
\ used to see great deal of them at
one ume," she said. shut"
but what 7" asked another.
IN weii' they had mothcr-in-law
raging around lately; so / have kept
away"