The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-11-18
HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW.

''Oh, Wilford, you won't regard ma
with aversion? You won't say things
about mother-in-law, will you?" little
Mrs. Pendexter coaXed. Because she
isn't in the least like the kind of
mother-in-law they mean. you know"
II hope not" said Mr.. Pendexter.
II sincerely hope not, Camilla"
''You never called me by my whole
name before, " sighed Mrs. Pendexter.
You always said My dear Cammy. :"
Very we'll, my dear Cammy." said
Wilford. Il shall certainly behave to
your mother as would to any other
lady. If she is what she should be. all
right. But l always have resolved to
be master in my own house, and al
ways will be-"
My Gear ma is a perfect lamb. 81
sobbed Camilla. Il have her photo
graph upstairs. I'll get it to show
you.''
1--we seen it, said Mr.. Pendexter.
with the remembrance of grim and
ancient matron in spectacles, with a
ruff1ed cap on her head and a prayer
book in her hand, floating before his
eyes. 'She looks like a very excel
Il did not know that you had ever
seen mas portrait" said Camilla.
But what, Henny Penny?"
Henny Penny was pet name for
her spouse.
''But the proof of the pudding is the
eating, Cammy DEAR" her spouse re-
piled. Whereupon he put on his over
coat and betook himself for his usual
affairs.
1t was a singular thing never to have
seen ones mother-in-law. Mr.. Pen
dexter began to feel that it was rather
risky. He had met Miss Spruce at the
house of mutual friend. She was
teaching school at the time. Her only
living parent. her mother, lived in
California. He had rather rejoiced in
the fact; and now she had broken up
housekeeping and was coming to New
York to live. with them no doubt if she
was invited to do so.
''If she is as serious as she looks
she'd expect me to teach bible class"
soliloquized Mr.. Pendexter as he walk
ed down. the street. She'll try to
stop my cigars and my glass of beer OF
an evening. She'll consider my friends
wicked young men, and throw the
euchre deck into the fire. / know
those goody-goody old ladies by heart -
Suddenly, as he turned the corner,
a face met his eye that brought MEM
ories of long-departed days, of fiirta-
ton which might have resulted in an
affair of the heart. Mr.. Pendexter
was not as young as his wife. He had
had his little experiences.
What a portly woman that was
could it be the same person?
He slightly lifted his hat; the lady
smiled; he bowed.
after all the world is small
place." said he to himself, and walked
toward her.
s'Wen. l declare I never expected to
see you again" said the lady with a
laugh.
'sAnd 1 thought you still in San
Francisco, said Mr.. Pendexter.
"What nice talks we used to have,
Mrs. Miller.
why, it's ten years ago, isn't itP''
cried Mrs. Miller.
Couldn't believe it. You look as
young as ever" said Mr.. Pendexter.
"Oh, when it comes to being told
that one looks as young as ever all
hope is over" said Mrs. Miller.
''Well, L intended a compliment u
said Mr.. Pendexter. I'm getting bald," "
and he took off his hat.
1T only makes you look more like
Shakespeare, said Mrs. Miller.
she always says such nice things,
said Mr.. Pendexter to himself.
The idea that he looked like Shak-
speare had occurred to him before but
no one else had ever told him that be
did. He felt fattered. A little pane
of regret pinched his heart. He had
often felt that he had made great
mistake in losing sight of Mrs, Miller,
| to whom he had never been regularly
introduced. They had begun to speak
in the street-cars during blockade
which provoked them both. They haC
| always spoken after that. He judged
that she was about his own age, anC
knew she was a widow. There was &
charm about her that he had never
seen in any other woman.
'.And think she told me she wa!
! alone in the world" he said to him
self. And l should not have beer
expecting my mother-in-law to make
nv life wretched-'' His thoughts
were running away with himi ht
laughed.
Are you living in New York. Mrs
Miller?"
.'Oh, yes" she answered; Pm go
ing to some friends after awhile, but
am at - hotel just now. don't be
lieve in popping in on people tornado
fashion. If they want me let then
urge me, say l."
II wish my mother-in-law had tina
- tn him
self. Aloud he said: II must call OF
you"
The lady laughed.
81 haven't asked you" said she.
''But you'll let me in if l do Gomez
said he. "It's my duty to call on
stranger"
During the day Pendexter was no
quite himself. He had discovered tha
his Camilla could pout. He feared tn
unpleasant things that he had been toll
came to a man with a mother-in-law
No doubt he should find her, grim ant
sarcastic, in the parlor on his return
He did not like that photograph. No
he did not like it. He hought he pre-
ferred being little late that night
And as he went uptown the bright en-
trance of the little hotel met his eye
and be stepped out on the platforr
and stepped off on the corner.
Mrs. Miller was IN, so the waiter tol
r him; and she tripped into the parlo
in dress of mauve silk that becam
: her nightly. Her hair was black he
, ewes were brown. She was no longe
young, but she was by no means ole
She Was in very high spirits, and the
fiirted-yes. firted-despite the fat
11ind q u