The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-06-16
SELECT STORY.
THE DAUGHTER -IN-LAW.

Are we almost there, Charles!
DO you see that old moss grown
roof, with the huge brick chimney,
peeping mp among the apple blossoms ?
That is the house.
Laura's heart gave an involuntary
throb. Would they welcome her as a
new daughter' Would they love her! !
Charles Page smiled as he read the
thoughts passing through her mind.
do not fear, Laura | do not know
who could help loving your
Laura smiled little doubtfully she
could hardly expect the whole world to
look at her with her young husbands
eyes.
Old Mrs. Page stood at the farm
house door in her best black silk, with
her company cap and white ribbons,
as the stage coach rolled up--a hard
featured old lady, with silver streaked
HAIR brushed away from her wrinkled
forehead, and hands on which the net
work of veins stood up like knotted
cord. Her welcoming kiss was like
the peck of bird of prey-so cold and
hard did it seem against Laura's cheek.
Mother! whispered Laura, softly.
4 am very glad to see you Mrs.
Charles, said the old lady.
so you are Charles new wife, hey!'
said Farmer Page from the sitting
room; 'and tall, well grown girl, too.
Come in, come in! Teas most ready,
and / dare say you'll be glad of a cup.
There was something that passed
like the chilled breath of an iceberg
across Laura's heart as she entered,
leaning on her husbands arm. 1t was
not the welcome she had expected and
hoped for; and involuntarily she felt
that her mother-in-l laws cold, criticising
eye was upon her, and with no favora-
bic glance.
i s'pose you've been brought up to
work 7 said Mrs. Page, senior.
No; Laura could not say that she
had.
Can you wash and iron your hus-
bands shirts?
No
Can you make Dreau
Il never tried.
Cannot cook at all?'
4 am afraid not maam.'
'Humph!
At this stage Charles, who had been
watching the deepening color on Laura's
cheek with some annoyance, broke in 2:
But she can speak two or three diff
ferent languages, mother, and paint
beautifully, and l wish you could read
some of the poetry she has written
Humph! again enunciated the
mother-in-law. Languages, painting
and poetry stuff won't make the kettle
boil, youll find, young lady
She has been taught in a seminary,
mother, the young husband interposed,
where she has had no opportunity to
learn the useful things you speak of,
All in good time. Rome WASH, built
in day
But Mrs, Page, with her thin lips set
close together, was busying herself
about the tea table. She need not have
taken the trouble-Laura's appetite
was pretty effectually destroyed.
Come, darling, said Charles, 4 want
to show you the path to the spring in
the woods.
Old Mrs. Page looked contemptuous,
ly after them.
That's all she's worth, she muttered,
'to look at pretty things aud listen to
honeyed speeches. ] wonder where
Hiram Page would be now if / had
been cut out after that paterni'
In short, it was an infinite relief all
around when the short visit came to an
end and Charles took his young wife
back to his home, Laura was depress
ed and melancholy, and Charles,
though he would not have confessed it
even to himself, was little preiudiced
by the strong opinions expressed by
both father and mother on the subject
of his matrimonial choice.
Scarcely six months had passed over
the horizon of their married life, how
ever, when clouds came to darken it.
Charles Page was only a clerk in 4
bank but this humble salary had proved
sufficient for himself and Laura. Con
sequently, one night returning lat'
from business, he slipped and broke hi
right ankle so badly that severe illness
followed It brought the grim phantom
poverty nearer to them than it was a
all pleasant.
we won't let the old folks at hom
know oft, Laura, said the young clerk
trying TO speak cheerfully. I'm afrai,
they're in trouble themselves about tina
note my father indorsed for old Mil
man, and dare say We shall get alon
nicely with little economy.
Laura was sitting by her husband
bedside one dreary November twilligh
when there was an unwonted hustle 1