Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-12
VOL. 73.-3713. NO. 9.

l
Posy had never been in society; she was
very young yet but Mrs. SCHUYLER wculd
nave expected, If not demanded, the same
homage from every one who saw her idol.
But when she discovered that Posy loved
ION and wanted TO marry him she was
| heart-smitten She could not entertain the
idea, She carried Posy away directly for
round Of summer travel but the girl pined
so yisibly, grew so sad. pale and languid,
that her mother was terrified and brought
her back to the hills directly, and sent for
us to make visit there. So that affair was
concluded, and Mrs. Schuyler gave her
treasure into other hands to save It, grudg-
ing all the while days absence, an hours
preoccupation, devoured with jealous pangs,
vet trying to stifle them that Posy might be
utterly happy. But when they really settled
into everyday life, she insisted on their liv.
ing with her at the Hills, and so secured her
own misery. Tom was a good fellow and
loving husband, but he was a man, and
man of business, and he had his own affairs
to attend to, his own anxieties and troubles
and like the best of mortal men he was now
and then inconsiderate and snappish. Posy
loved him with all her SOUL and would have
condoned his offenses and forgotten his slips
Of tongue if her mother had not made so
much of them
She was like tgress if anything seemed
to approach her young to harm them, and
she flew at Tom rs he impolitely expressed
| 1T, like a mad cat If he ever spoke impa-
tersiy TO his wife, or forgot one attention
due to her He bore it awhile very patiently
for Posy's sake; but human nature is not
all-enduring, and by-and-by he used great
plainness of speech. to say the least, with
Mrs. Schuyler. Then Posy became very
| unhappV She waa coneurnpt lilxa hos
father, and her life always trembled on as
delicate stem as a hare-bell flower. She
might have lived on for years in peace and
sunshine, but the stormy atmosphere of
home gave her no rest. Her mother still in
| terfered with all she did, even when she saw
her dropping day by day. If Tom took her
away for journey, the mother insisted on
going too, and Posy could not have the heart
to refuse. But travelling was no rest to
either mother or child, and it was torment
to Tom, who began to comprehend the sit
uation. Poor little Posy she faded before
| their eyes like a weary baby, falling asleep
one day in Toms arms, and wearing after
death so radiant look of rest and peace
that have never forgotten it, Mrs. Schuy-
Ter followed her quickly, worn out by grief
and rerporse for Tom, in the first agony of
his loss, told her what DIR. Evarts said, that
ling. Tom hated the name TO his dying day,
and never married again, because he said
one mother-in-law was enough in lifetime"
But, mamma, that was an extreme case"
Certainly, but all the more warning. |
have never forgotten Posy, and it is to her
my sons-in-aw owe my natural forbearance,"
said Mrs. De Groot, with smile
"Well, dear, if Harry's mother is awful
I III try to be good to her" sighed Sue. But
then came ring at the door, and Sue heard
a voice. 1t was her mothers turn to sigh
now, as her girl ran down the stairs, her
heart in her beautiful eyes, to meet Harry.
So time went on, and by-and-by Sue was
married. Mrs. Tempest came to the we'd
ding, and proved to be little lady with
cheeks like roses and starry eyes, even amidst
the fine lines of age and under the shadow
Of silver-white curls. Keen, but kindly,
those eyes shone on Susan and took her
measure, and Mrs. De Groot congratulated
herself on the prospect for her daughter,
and said, She is lady, Sue" her highest
formula of appreciation.
After the orthodox wedding journey, du-
| ring which the pair were as uncomfortable
| and weary as most people are on such occa-
| ,ions, they came home to find Harry's little
house bright with comfort and neatness--
| fires in the shining CRATES, flowers on the
tables and shelves, a dinner of wonderful
SAVIOR and elegance waiting for them, and
real motherly welcome.
How lovely it is to get home !" Sue con-
fided to her husband.
81 hope home will always be lovely to
you, Sue" was the beaming response.
If | only can get along nicely with your
mother, Harry !" said Sue, with a wistful
sort of frankness. Harry sat down in the
| ,bai baI al
Poor little soul Has it got mother
in-law on the brain already? So it shall"
Harry 70 exclaimed the indignant Susan.
! My dear child, if the Num- as that de-
lightful little chap in Verdant Green calls
her, oppresses you, use my revolver at once.
never will betray you-neverW And
here the wretch went off into another fit of
laughter more irrepressible than the first
Sue flushed to the temples. " Harry, what
ire you laughing at ?" she demanded
"I'll tell YOU DEAR on Christmas day in
the morning. That's exactly two months
from to-day. Put it down in your tablets
along with your dentists appointments; :"
and giving Sue very inconsiderate hug
which nearly shook down the structure of
puffs and braids she was donning her head
with, he left her to finish dressing.
Poor little Susan life became disap-
|
into the kitchen. never shifted at her new
daughters inexperience or ignorance, inter
fered with housekeeping, or found fault with
the housekeepers. She was simply guest
in her sons home, ready to give advice or
assistance when it was asked, with wonder
ful wisdom and Judgment, but never intrud-
ing. Ii her children wanted her society,
they could always have it for the asking; If
they did not she was neither hurt nor angry.
She knew well that a third party is not
always welcome, however dear and she re-
embered-what women so often forget
that her son was now a grown man, with
his own family, and deserving certain re-
spect as such not a boy to be lectured,
scolded, humored, or snapped at as if he
were ten years old, and still under parental
government.
She learned, too, to love Sue, the sweet
natured, high-spirited and impulsive crea-
ture, for herself, as well as for Harry's sake;
and Susan, before the two months were gone,
had called her mother with all her heart,
and learned to find in her the same comfort
and help she had drawn from her own
parent, If in lesser measure than the life
long and natural tie afforded.
"Oh, mother exclaimed she one day,
as Mrs. Tempest sat beside her. soothing her
} with tender ways aud soft hands in the an
} guish of a rackng headache How could
| ever think mothers-in-aw were dreadful Z"
Mrs. Tempest laughed. My dear Susy,
mothers-in.law are just like other people
If woman is sweet sensible patient, un-
selfish and good she will be loved in any sort
, of place or relation; if she is doInineering,
! hgh-tempered selfish or disagreeable in
, other ways her own children will not love
her, or anybody else. 1t is not the relation
that is in the fault, but the individual.
Haven't you found that out 7"
) :" don't think I've found out anything
but that love you dearly, if you are my
mother-in-law," replied Sue, with a very ten
: der kiss.
Yes, you have, Sue" put in Harry, who
, had entered the room from the door behind
! the bed, with an ominous looking bottle and
. glass in his hand you've found out at
1 least week before the time why laughed
! the day we came home at your prophetic
! troubles. The idea OF anybody dreadiug my
mother DIR. Matthews says you must have
champagne, madame, for your headache a
: specific, he says it is. So suppose you drink
a health directly to mothers-in-aw."
1 No, sir-if you please, mean"
5 Meekness !" said Harry, in stage aside.
, But" Sue went on" III drink health
to my mother in-law with all my heart"
J "Long may she wave !" chorused Harry.