, 1881-09-23
THE MOTHER-IN-LAK.

Grace Hazelton was happy woman
she had been married but few months
to the man she loved but perfect bliss
is impossible in this world and she was
not in a very thoughtful mood for had
not all her friends warned her against
mother-in-law? And her husband had
ust informed her that he would like his
mother to share their home.
''It is true" he continued, that she
has all she requires IN worldly sense, but
she resides in a distant city among
strangers /; she is advanced in years, and
think she should be with her children.
You ale very young, dear Grace, aud are
motherless and if you were TO know my
mother, am sure you would love her.
But these very words hardened the
young wife's heart she had resolved not
to love her mother-in-law, and was sure
she was a meddlesome old woman, who
thought no girl cared enough for her son
Harry and with womanlike consistency
was sure that the few faults her husband
possessed he inherited from his mother.
The door -npenad. ana--5eedEs. Candid
entered. She greeted Grace by e1claim-
ing
''Moping already. and only been mar
ried a few months Have you had your
Afol VI Nl1h 4luA1J 4OASCi " AAoo
you Goodbye"
Mrs. Hazelton laughingly assured her
friend that none of these misfortunes had
occurred, and she was anticipating the
arrival of a guest.
''Do tell me who it is % cried her gush-
ing friend. SIS 1t Rarry's brother or
one of his bachelor friends 2"
"Oh, no !" was the reply. ''It is-his
mother"
Horrors ~ was the emphatic reioinder.
''You are going to live with your mother
in-law / would never endure such an
infiction. / am older than you, so take
my advice do not consent to have her a
permanent inmate of your house. But /
have many more visits to pay" And she
left Grace HaZelton in no very enyiable
state of mind.
Day after day she pondered on the
dreaded arrival, until she became quite
low spirited; and one morning she awoke
and found herself so weak that she was
obliged to keep her bed and consult the
family physician, who declared that she
was suffering from nervous prostration,
and inquired if she had any trouble on
her mind. She answered. ''None.
Her husband endeavored TO cheer her by
telling her that his mother was a good
nurse, and that under her care his little
wife would soon be quite well. limo,
cent man! he little suspected that the
only cause of her malady was the dreaded
mother-in-law.
Grace was not so i'll as to require the
care of a professional nurse, and she was
sure that among her numerous friends
she would receive all the attention that
was necessary. She had been alone
hAf,rS xplan che hnar1 70 on tha
door, and her most intimate friend, Mrs
Gushington, entered.
my poor dear!' she exclaimed in
loving tones, 'are you sick?'
''I was going to spend the afternoon
with you, but / am so sensitive that
cannot see any one suffering, and the
atmosphere of a sick room always affects
me unfayorably; SO goodbye my dear. ]
hope you will soon be better"
A few more hours passed away, and
the invalid lCnged for a friendlyLvoice
to cheer her. At last Mrs. Lemon en-
tered the room. Her eountenance CORE.
sponded with her name. The sound oi
her voice sounded sharp as she ex-
claimed:
''This will never do You must not
give way, / am sure that your sickness
is all imaginary. My son Johns wife
was always sickly, and when / came to
live with them told her to go around
and work it off. When your mother in
law comes l am sure that she will give
you the same advice, for We both come OF
good, old-fashioned stock. But you look
tired, 90 will go"
Our young friend endeavored to for
get her troubles in slumber, but thoughts
of her mother-in-law had banlshed
sleep.
Harry Hazelton returned home and
found his wife weeping like child.
'.Oh, Harryw she cried, II am so glad
that you have come! am so lonely ,and
I feel so ILL.,"
'Why, what is the matter, little wo-
MANI" he asked in cheering tones. Ibid
all your friends desert you?"
Zone or two called" she answered,
''but they appeared in hurry, and only
stayed few minutes. 1t has been such
a long day, and feel as if 1 were alone
in the world. L have no mother-no
kindred. 1 thought had friends, but
now that require their attention, 1 dis
cover that have only acquaintances."
my child" replied her husband, ct
is only the way of the world Selfish: