The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-05
WHO rs MISTRESS 2

WHO is MISTRESS?
'sTroublep" said Mrs. jenkins.
''Oh no, don't expect any trouble.
Simon has been married twice before,
you know, and never had any trouble
with his wives"
And she extended her cup for little
more tea, while the other ladies regard
ed her with an air of mild admiration
and respect.
The fact that Simon jenkins had
bought the land and built the house
made no apparent difference in the
ownership of his mother, who was one
Of those terrible old ladies with Roman
nose, a dyed front, and eagle blue eyes,
who seem born to rule.
Nor was the respect of her contempt.
raries lessened by the fact that two Mrs.
Simon Jenkinses had risen like feeble
stars upon her moon-like horizon, faint.
ly contested the palm of victory with
her. and alike sunk into oblivion. And
now there was third planet dimly
drawing on the scene.
''The present Mrs Simon jenkins is
city lady, 1 understand" said Mrs.
Grove, who was ladling out the plum
preserves.
"a school-teacher," said Mrs. Jenk-
ms.
"Very handsome, have heard" re-.
marked Mrs. Badgerly.
$50 am told" said Mrs. jenkins.
''Well." sighed Miss Clarissa Copley,
who had always been suspected of q
secret affection for the tall good-looking
young widower, 81 do hope Mr.. Simon
will be happy"
$50 do l." said Mrs. jenkins. And
then there was pause, after which the
conversation began anew on the subject
of Mrs. DIR. Decimus' new parlor furni-
ture, while pretty Alicia Jenkins, the
bride, even then on her northward way,
seated in luxurious Pullman-car, with
a novel and bunch of Jacqueminot
roses in her lap. was playfully question.
ing her husband as to the new home
which she was rapidly approaching.
''Is 1t a cottage, Simonp" she asked.
l'Oh, should so like a cottage all GOV.
cred with honeysuckles, with lozenge,
shaped window-panes, in ruby-stained
glass"
swell, it's not exactly a cottage,
idear!'' said Mr.J jenkins little absently.
'sBut dare say we can manage the
staincd-glass windows If you like, and
know there are lots of honeysuckles in
the garden"
"Shall I like Wayfeld, Simonpr
81 think so, dear" (still abstracted-
E).
''Does your mother live near usp"
asked Alicia, burying her pretty little
nose in the blood-red roses.
Mr.. Jenkins reused himself at last.
'sDidn'tI mention itp' said he sheep
ishly. mo don't think 1 did, by the
way. She lives with me-"
'sLives with us! Your motherr' And
Alicia opened her eyes wide at this very
unexpected revelation.
sim sure you'll like her." said Mr..
Jenkins, turning very red. ''She is q
very agreeable old lady,"
Alicia was silent minute or two be-
fore she asked. in rather constrained
tone:
"Why have you never told me this
bcforep''
''Wcll, it didn't occur to me-" said
Simon, taking refuge in the basest as
sumption of Indifference. "Of course
you'll get along famously together. My
two first wives didr'
"Thcy both died, believe" said AL.
ella dryly.
''Mary was consumptive, poor dar-
ling" said Simon. biting his lip. "And
Kate bad always suffered, since her
childhood. from heart disease"
The tears came into Alcia's bright
eyes.
Dear Simon" said she, show much
you must have suffered! DO pray par
don my foolish levity, and will never,
aover speak so unfeelingly again. But
YOU know one has natural prejudice
against mothers-in-law."
That was all she said. And Simon
Jenkins, poor foolish fellow, fondly
Hattered himself that the crisis was
over,
But he didn't know Alicia. Neither
did he know the valiant spirit of his
mother.
Mrs. jenkins, senior, received Alicia
With the air of queen graciously well
coming subject into the royal realm.
81 hope Simon" said she, s'that your
wife Is not fatigued with her journey.
I've had the little west room fitted up
for her and you. 1t struck me that the
big room with the bay window would
make such an elegant guest chamber
And"
perhaps. mother. Suggested Simon,
alicia would like cup of tea before
sbo retircs."
"Tcar cried Mrs. Jcnkens. "At ten