Connecticut western news., 1876-12-22
Mary Grey's Mother-in-Law.
A Christmas Story.

live with you," remarked Miss Susan Skinner, contemptuously, giving he1 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 he, 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 a pretty fi1 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, ''I don't understand you. I am sure I never want m other to leave us, and as for peace, what difference can her coming make"
 "Oh, you'll see," replied Miss Susan, holding her head wisely, while her knitting needles kept time to her shrill tones with sharp click-click. "You'H see You will repent of your bargain before month is over, mind what tell you. Of all the mean, conniving, med dlesome women in the world, it is a mother-in-law."
 Mrs. Grey began to feel a little annoyed. "What do you know about it9" she could not refrain from saving.
 "Humph you needn't twit me with being an old maid, Mary Grey thank my stars that I'm not tied to any man, nor what's worse, to any mans mother. What do know about moth ers-in-law More than I want to. goodness knows Why, there was my cousin Lucinda, who was obliged to leave her husband, !, and go home to her father, just on ac 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 bus. 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, 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 angling and quarreling, SC you see that, altogether, a woman's best way is to keep entirely away from her mother-in-law."
 "But, Miss Susan, these are only ex- ceptional cases,' said Mrs. Grey "1 am sure there are good and true women ill the world belonging to this class"
 "Well, I'd just like to see one ot them, that's all see it's no use arguing with you, Mary; you're too set dear, you will rue the day you ever let that woman come into your house" said Miss Susan, in tone of settled convic. t;on. "When do you expect Mrs. Grey2' she asked, rising, and folding up her knitting work.
 "TO-mOrroW evening""
 "So soon9 We'll, I'm sure, I hope you will be able to get along with her, answered Miss Susan, with 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 so proud and fond of her, that she was predisposed to love her; to regard he1 with that reverence and affection which she had cherished for her own dead mother. She thought how nice itwould be to have some one to whom she could go with all her little troubles and anxie- ties, some one who would sympathize with and counsel her: and how pleasant it would be for Henry to have his mother always near him, where he could watch over and care for her.
 They would make such a happy family; Henry and herself, grandma, and baby Harry.
 Then, in opposition to all these pleas ant thoughts, would come up, in spite of her, the gloomy warnings and fore bodings which Miss Susan Skinner had uttered. Gould Herry's mother be 'smean, eonniving, .meddlesome," ol disagreeable in any way9 No, thou. sand times no. And yet the sharply spoken words had left their sting, and she could not drive the memory of them from her mind.
 When train time arrived, mamma and baby took " s+a+;"n at the window, to watch for "grandma. Soon the sound of wheels was heard, and Henry drove up to the door, and handed out g lady.
 Mother, this is your daughter. Mary"
 Mary looked up, and met pair ot gentle blue eyes looking out wistfullJ from kindly old face.
 Mary, will you let me be you mother as we'll as Henry'sa" asked the lady, holding out her hands; and Mary answered, embracing her warmly:
 Indeed, l will4 Welcome home mother"
 Miss Skinner. meaning from hefwear