Middletown transcript., 1888-11-08
A MORAL AFTER ALL.
BY MRS. NJ. A. K1DDER.

81 have done the best l could Char.
les. The fire wouldn't burn, the stove
wouldn't bake, and consequently the
biscuits are dough, and the omelet
smoked. There I've owned upl Sc
don't frown any more, you bear %
"But, Nancy, these things happen
too often. You always lay it to the
wood, or the stove, or something Of
that Sort"
"When has it happened before
Charles Everything has been cooked
to perfection, think, lately. Mother
says 1 am a very good cook for one
SO young. and with no more previous
experience"
"That will do very well as the opin-
ion of your mother, who, of course, is
prejudiced in favor of her only daugh.
ter but wouldn't have my mother
come here for the world till things run
smoother"
"You make me almost hate the
name of your mother, Charles Peters.
Never having seen her, picture her
as some horrible virago, who, when
she does pounce upon US, will almost
make me afraid of my life.'
Charles Peters couldn't help laugh
ing, in spite of his poor breakfast, as
he gazed at the scarlet and pouting
lips of his fair young wife.
Presently their one little servant
girl brought in fresh loaf from the
bakers, and this, with a slice of
cold ham, and another cup
of tolerable coffee, finished out a
rather meagre breakfast for the young
and not very happy couple.
Better is it in some respects (hear
this ye waiting and expectant maidens)
to marry a man sick, weary and dis
gusted with his, first, second, and
third rate boarding house than one
fresh from the paternal mansion and
the loving and careful ministration of
the maternal hands.
To the men who have run the gaunt-
let of the boarding houses, home is a
blessing (be it ever so humble), and he
sees no faults or, looks upon them as
tr iaes, in the young and inexperienced
wife. Together they laugh over ludi-
crous mistakes and culinary surprises,
and resolve to "make the best of it" in
the infancy of their housekeeping, and
in the language of the school song,
"Try, Try, Again. y
By adopting this course, Charles
Peters might soon have had everything
to his mind in his really sunny home.
But his manner irritated the young
housekeeper, and made her dread to
undertake anything in the cooking
line and, in fact, dread even the firm
decided step of her husband unless he
came suddenly upon her while at
work. His severe comment upon her
housekeeping sent her in tears to her
mother, which certainly did not mend
matters in the. least.
I" Mamma, must leave him now,"
said Nancy, one day, as she threw
herself in her mothers arms.
';Don't do that, child he is good
husband in everything else but this
fretting and fuming, and he'll get over
that in time He is good provider,
free from vices, and I think kind at
heart"
"Oh 1 can bear a great deal from
him, for love him, mamma but his
mother is coming to make us a
visit, and 1 won't bear her interfer-
ence, so there ~
"Do the best you can, and trust for
the rest, Nancy. Don't show the
white feather. Go home and I will
come over and help you with your
first dinuer, when the important day
arrives, with the more important per-
sonage, Mrs. Peters, -
The important day did arrive. and
with it the much feared parsonage,
Charles Peters, mother.
While the small servant was show
ing her in with her innumerable bund-
les and boxes. Nancy stood at the
head of the stairs reeonnoitering, be-
fore she should descend and advance
to meet the fancied enemy.
Why, mamma" whispered she as
she caught that worthy woman's hand
who stood by her side, do look !!
What little thing Hardly up to my
shoulders. And listen. A voice like
the chirp of robin, or like our silver
tea bell. Pm not one bit afraid of
her, so there
Down went the plump, blooming
young matron, her mamma in her
wake, with open arms, to receive that
mite of humanity, Charles mother.
Mrs. Peters expected no such recep-
tion as she received. She was agree
ably disappointed in her daughter-in-
law. Charles in his letters to her,
had apoligized for his wife in
stead of praising her, and the old lady
had come to sigh and think her be-
loved son had made the greatest mis-
take man could make in life-mar-
ried the wrong woman.
" Why, you little dear, you put me
in mind of the tea rose in my garden.
Let me reach up and kiss you again.
The re. Now for my boxes, for I've
brought not only some goodies besides
my wardrobe, but Towser and Tit
mouse my dog and cat, which
couldn't shut up in the house to
starve, you know, dear, even for a
week or two."