Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-26
HIS MOTHER IN-LAW.

= = =
ING me with eyes that shOne like hard,
greenish-blue poOseberries behind her
spectacles. For such modern trifles as
eyeglasses were as unsulted to my
mother-in-law' fine Roman nose as a
point-lace collar would be to the Venus
di Milo. | could feel her glances pene-
trate TO the very marrow Of my bones;
and vet ! contriyed to keep a bold
front, as | stood facing her.
1t was rather a curious cOmplica-
ton. Nv mOther-in-laW had not the
least idea who was. I had cheerful
iy intended to take her by surprise;
but now that the cventful moment had
arrived, my courage, like that Of Bob
Acres, as Jefferson shows him, was
oozing out at the ends Of my fingers.
NV name is Richard Dalton. | was
then just q, with a face that was not
absolutely ugly, sublime audacity
and pockets not particularly Well-lined,
and I had just distinguished myself by
running away with pretty girl from
boarding-school.
But, Dick" she had demonstrated,
"we'ye nothing to live on"
Don't be a goose, darling" had
been II Y reply. "What do people need
10 live on? All the wants of this
world, more or less, are Fictitious. A
crust Of bread and a glass Of water
three times day, and now and then a
suit Of clOthes-we must be poor, in
deed, 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 roy
ally. At the end of 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 signiiied and now we might
lie on it,
"Oh. Dick" cried Nettie, clasping
her hands, what are we to do?"
Hanged if know" was my rather
blank response. But don't cry, dar-
ling, TIL 90 and see her myself"
You Dick
Il myself"
shell have nothing to say to you"
''She can't help herself"
shell turn You out of doors"
Wen see about that"
But, Dick. You don't knCw-vou
can't have any idca-how terrible she
is, sighed Ncttic.
81. George conquered the dragon,
my love" asserted, cnecrfully, and
mean to conquer your mother! So
pack my valise, there's a darling, and
III 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 ont of town. and
shall bG back In q tew days said |
confidently.
But, vaiiantly as spoke, my mental
sensations by no means correspondent
with VIII this bold part. ! was beginning
L0ihN . realize what very unwise
step had taken, and also persuaded
Door Nettle to take. And was secret
" making up my mind that if Nettie's
mother refused to receive US. would
ship myself off to sea 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 mothcr-ln-law's door, she greeted
me as if had beeu expected for the
last week OF so.
you've come, have you?" was the
salutation.
We'll. yes" I admitted. I've come"
What on earth detained you?" said
she.
In my mind cast about what to say,
and settled on the first convieut ex-
cuse that came into my head
The train was delayed at Bo-ie-
town. said l.
Well, come in. now that you're
here, said she, land get warm. It's
awful cold weather for this time O.
year. isn't it?"
Kinder" said I, with an asserting
nod
Let me see, = said my mother-inIaw,
as she took steaming platter of ham
and eggs out Of the oven and lifted
shining cotfee-pot from the stove.
How old are vou?"
"One-and-twentv," said I.
do YOU think. said she. pensivelv
feeling Of her chin, that YOU are able
TO take care of the place? There's
deal TO do, you know, on a farm like
this. Do you think you're up to the
work."
"Of course think so. g" saidI, wonder
ing what on earth my mother-in-law
meant.
You are married, supposed" said
she.
"Oh, yes said I, swallowing the hot
coffee and winking my eyes very hard,
I'm married"
Can your wife make herself general
ly useful about the placer" sharply de-
manded the old lady.
Certainly she can said |, begin
ming vaguely to see my way through
the mists of perplexity that had here
tofore obscured my brain.
How old is she?" asked Mrs. Mar
tin.
Eighteen" answered.
Mrs. Martin frowned.
What does possess girls to get mar
RED nowadays" said she. before
they've left off dolls and patchwork"
/ looked thoughtfully down at the
pattern of my plata pink Chinaman
crossing carmine bridge, with two
very red 1iXsGs dTooping at the far