The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-04-09
HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

Got here, have you? said my
mother-in law, in deep voice, as
she stood on the threshold, grimly
surveying me with eyes that shone
like hard, ereenish blue gooseberries
behind her spectacles. Fer such
modem trifles as eye glasses were
as unsuited to my mother-in law S
fine Roman nose as a point-lace col
lar would be to the Venus di Milo
l could feel her glances penetrate to
the very marrow of my bones; and
yet contrived to keep a bold front,
as | stood facing her
1t was rather a curious complica-
ton. My mother in law had not
the least idea who | was. | had
cheeriully intended to take her by
surprise; but now that the eventtul
moment had arrived, my courage,
like that of Bob Acres, as Jefferson
shows him, was oozing out at the
ends of my fingers.
My name is Richard Dalton. |
was then just twenty one, with face
that was not absolutely ugly, sub
lime audacity and pockets not par
ticularly well lined, and | had just
distinguished myself by running
away with a pretty girl from boad-
ing school.
But, Dick, she had demonstrated,
we've nothing to live on.
Don't be goose, darling, had
been my reply. What do people
need to live on? All the wants of
this world, more or less, are facti-
tious. A crust OF bread and a glass
of water three times day, and now
and then a suit OF clothes-we must
be poor, indeed, if we can't manage
to compass that.
Nettie had looked admiringly
upon me, and acquiesced in my
argument. We had taken board at
the Angel Hill Hotel, and began
our honeymoon royalty. At the
end of a month, mine host had
become little importunate on the
subject of his bill, and Nettie's
mother had written letter to her,
signifying that she wanted nothing
whatever to do with us. We had
made our own bed, she signihed,
and now we might lie on it.
Oh, Dick, cried Nettie, clasping
her hands, What are we to do2
Hanged if know2 was my rather
blank response. I'll go and see her
myself.
You, Dick!
|, myself.
She'll have nothing to say to you.
She can't help herself.
She'll turn you out of doors.
Well see about that
But; Dick, you don't know-you
can't have any idea-how terrible
she is, sighed Nettie.
Saint George conquered the
dragon, my love, | asserted, cheer
fully, and mean to conquer your
mother! So pack my valise, there's
a darling, and I'll be off before the
landlord comes back from Boston!
But Dick, if he's troublesome,
what can say to him? appealed
poor little frightened Nettie.
Tell him I've gone out OF town,
and shall be back few days, said
|, conhdentially.
But, valiantly as l spoke my
mental sensations by no means cor
responded with this bold part l
was beginning dimly to realize what
a very unwlse step | had taken, and
also persuaded poor Nettie to take.
And | was secretly making mp my
mind that if Nettie's mother refused
to receive US, would ship myself
off as second mate or third purser,
or something of that sort, send my
advance wages to my poor little wife
and commence the world over again
in this irregular fashion.
But when | walked resolutely up
to my mother in laws door, she
greeted me as if had been expected
for the last week or so.
You've come, have you? was the
salutation.
w yes, admitted, I've come
What on earth detained you? sale
she.
In my mind | cast about what tc
say, and settled down on the frs
convenient excuse that came into
my head.
The train was delayed at Doyle
to vn. said |.
Well, come in, now that you rt
here, said she. and get warm. 1t:
awful cold weather for this time o
year, isn't it.
Kinder, said l, with an asserting
nod.