The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-10-09


said Mrs. Edmonstone consolingly.
Thomas Edmonstone welcomed his
mother cordially when he came home
from business.
"rm 50 glad you've comet" said he.
ave can have some Of the nice old fasli-
ioned dishes now. Rachel can't seem to
get the hang of them, although she has
always had your book of recipes to guide
her."
"Rachel's a great deal better cook than
ever pretended to be-" said Mrs. Ed
monstone. "They have patent egg beat
ers and cream whippers and raisin seed
ers, and all that sort of thing now. that
they didn't have in my day. i never
tasted nicer bread than Rachel makes,
and these popovers are delicious.
You're just saying that to encourage
Rachel. said Mr.. Edmonstone, with an
incredulous smile. Things will run
smooth now you've come. That is one
comfort
"Oh, shouldn't think Of interfering in
Rachel's kitchen, said the old lady.
please, do, mother, coaxed the wife,
not without certain quiver in her lip.
DO let Tom have a "reminiscences Of the
old days while you are here"
well, just as you children say" con-
ceded the mother in law, good humor-
edly.
She remained week at her sons house,
during which period of time Tom was all
exultant complacency.
This" said he. "is something like
living. I feel myself boy again when
taste these apple fritters."
They're not bad" said Rachel, who
had made them with her own skillful
hands. And she helped herself to a little
Of the sauce.
And why didn't you learn my mothers
knack Of making such pie crust as this?"
demanded Tom. There's no dyspepsia
here"
I'm glad you're pleased, said Rachel,
with guilty glance at her mother in
law. "Oh, by the way, Tom, the last Of
the set Of shirts is finished now! Will
you put it on tomorrow
Il suppose so, ungraciously uttered
Tom. will set like fury, dare say,
like all the rest Of them ~
You might at least give it trial"
Didn't say l would?" still more I'M
graciously. "Those shirts will be the
death of me yet, he added, turning to
his mother with a groan, while Rachel
sat steadily observing the pattern of the
tablecloth.
The breakfast stood smoking on the
table next morning when Mr.. Edmon-
stone came into the room twisting him
self as if he were practicing to be a
human corkscrew. Mrs. Edmonstone
timidly glanced up at him. ..f ....4
Doesn't it fit. TOM" she questioned.
"Fit! Just look at it, will you?" he
retorted. Fit! Hangs like window
curtain around my neck-pinches my
wrists like pair Of handouts feel
as if were in a straight jacket, writh-
ing impatiently to and fro. -Oh, Knight
have known it beforehand. You haven't
an idea what the word fit means.
wish, mother, you could teach this wife
OF mine how to make decent shirt ~
Thomas" said Mrs. Edmonstone,
solemnly, transfixing him with the glis.
tening spheres of her spectacle glasses,
you are not very polite. made that
shirt"
You, mother!"
@Ies, l myself. Just as used to make
shirts for you in the old tiWes that you're
always signing for. I've been working
at it ever since I've been in the house.
Throw away the pattern, Rachel, and
don't waste any more time trying to make
your husbands shirts, she added. ats
an economy Of time and temper, as well
as of money, to buy them ready made.
And as for the cooking you have been
praising up so eloquently Of late, Tom,
haven't touched a pot or a pan. It's all
your wife's work. SO much for imagina-
ton! Oh, you needn't hang your head
SO sheepishly; you're neither better nor
worse than most men. never saw the
man yet that didn't need to hear q little
wholesome truth now and then. You've
got the best and sweetest little wife in tho
world"
"Mother!" pleaded Rachel, trying to
put her hand over the old lady's mouth;
but Mrs. Edmonstone went on
"And it's my advice to you to try and
treat her as she deserves. .rt
Al don't know but Ihave been rather
cranky of late, now that come to think
of it,, said Tom, self accusingly. .g
Crank I should think so," said the
old lady. "I'm sure don't know what
the worlds coming to. Here's little
Georgy toddling around with his wooden
cart. The first you know he'll be telling
his wife about the wonderful successes
his mother used to make in this, that,
and the other thing" rf
"And Georgy will be right, said Tom,
who, after all, had magnanimouss streak
through him. What crab I've been.
Hang the homemade shirts! I'll buy 'em
next time. Kiss me, Rachel And be
sure you let me have dish Of scalloped
oysters when come to dinner"
The oysters Rachel cooked.
He ate his breakfast and departed.
And when he was gone young Mrs. Ed
monstone looked with shining eyes at old
Mrs. Edmonstone.
"Oh, what a nice thing IL is to have
mother in law!" said she fervent!y.