Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-22
The MOther-in-Law.

Left a widow after few years Of most
unhappy life, | retired with my two children
10 a small town where | intended to subsist
upon my very moderate MEANS and devote
myself TO the care Of their education.
] 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 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 Every
childish liking seems talent, lacking only
opportunity to develop into excellence.
Nv girl and boy went TO school in the morn
ing. In the afternoon We walked together,
and we all three enjoyed those long, ramb-
ling walks. Then our tea table, and our
evenings, when | read 10 them-how delight.
full was our companionship How tried
in every way to SOW the good seed. have
said that my means were small, but my
wants We're few, and considered it my duty
10 make them fewer for my children's sake.
| took care that they were always well
dressed, often working until late at night
on 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,
need not repeat. Their first thoughts al
ways seemed TO be of me. At Christmas
they presented me with horrid little daubs,
which still treasure, tied up in little pack
ages and dated. All happy, happy days
days when paper of sweetcake is suili-
eient for happiness.
The days came when they grew tall and
less dependent on me. James left school,
and, as my means did not admit of his GO
ing TO college, obtained admittance for him
into the place of business of friend. One
day heard an acquaintance say that my son
admired a Miss Benson. Then first shot
into my heart that acute pang Of jealousy
which I had heard woman feels when
another woman dares 10 lay claim TO her son
"a bitter unreasonable feeling, but strong
and fierce, trample on it as you may. |
asked James about it he laughed at the
idea.
\ year later he announced that he was
engaged 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. She wore great many iiounces and a
great deal of jewelry of the pale blue kind.
Her manners were very gracious to me, but
somehow or other there was something
ABOUT ItI llldi >ttilti " say was bilt NAiN
who had always had right TO james, while
| stood out in the queer but awkward light
Of one whose claims upon him were very
triAing and quite recent.
When | went home | sat in my rocking
chair for about an hour, thinking. | had
understood the formation of every kite he
had ever flown, fathomed the capacities for
every toy cannon with which he had ever
,..,.,,.ftst,r, u,,ioiIa
the mysteries of marbles of every degree
loved every puppy and kitten he had adopted
and taken to his heart--why would ! not al
least try to love this reddish-haired girl
People congratulated. "Oh yes, was very
much pleased. not losing son at all-oh
no-only gaining another daughter l' De
lightful, certainly, and early marriages are
as you say, very desirable
A year afterwards they were married, anC
remained some months with her family, dur
ing which time saw her often, and cannot
say that | had any fault to find with her
| Then James sought and obtained very goo'
position in a town distant about one hun
dred miles. At first the news was very sat
isfaotory. Charming little house, the pen
fection of servants; :" and then later, "love
liest little baby" my grandson. Then, som
months later, things were not quite so bright
| The baby had had the Group, my son himsel
a touch of the intermittent fever, servant
were great plaques, housekeeping a dreadful
trouble. Disturbed beyond measure at tn
reiteration of these lamentations, | decide'
to 90 and see for myself how they were Gil
cumstanced, aud be Of what assistance
might for short time. So one winte
morning, leaving Fanny with an intimat
friend, and intrusting my house and all !
contained to the care OF servant, lef
home alone. Arriving after dark at my des
tination, found two young servants enjoy
ing very comfortable meal out in tn
kitchen. NV son and his wife were ou
spending the evening with some friend'
Their surprise and pleasure at seeing IN
upon their return home appeared great
Upon conversing with Maria the next day,
found her to be very ignorant as regarde
baby's requirements. lie does cry $
dreadfully,' she said. stayed there Who'll
month; perhaps it was too long, but ther
ALWAYS seemed to be something for me TO dc
took charge Of the little creature wheneve
his mother wanted to spend an evening i
company, which was not seldom. Many an
many a lonely hour did ! spend in tina
dimly lighted room, listening to that lo'
breathing, rather than trust him to the awl
wardness of the young girl who protested
fulfil the duties of child's nurse. | did
great deal of serving for Maria, of whom
became fonder than had ever expected TO b.
James had relapse of intermittent feve
His wife knew nothing about sickness
} nursed him-I, who had never known fatigu
} when he needed anything in former year
would not fail him now. | sat up with hil
} night after night, and showed the cook ho
, to prepare nice little dishes for him, such .
knew he liked-that is to say, | prepare
them while the cook looked on. Whatev'
was wanted now, up stairs or down, ! va
| the one TO plan and TO do At last bega
, to think ought to return to Fanny; an
seeing James fairly convalesccnt, sougt
the train for my journey homewards. 81
ting in the railroad car, a party of youn
people took places in front Of me, laughin
and talking with animation, principally abol
, persons knew nothing Of except by nam
> Presently one OF them began to talk OF m
J sons wife.
al used to see great deal of them at on
, time" she said, "but--"
"But what 2" asked another.