San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-20
HIS MOTHER N-LAW.

Mrs. Pendexter coaxed. Because she
isn't in the least like the kind Of mother.
in-law they mean, you know"
81 hope not" said Mr.. Pendexter. al
sincerely hope not, Camilla"
"You never called me by my whole
name BEFORE" sighed Mrs. Pendexter.
"You always said My dear Cammy.'"
Every well, my dear Cammy," said
MILFORD. 81 shall certainly behave to
your mother as l would to any other
lady. If she is what she ought to be,
all right. But / always have resolved
to be master in my own house, and !
always will be-"
"My dear ma is a perfect lamb
sobbed Camilla. 81 have her photo
graph up stairs. I'll get it to show you. =
"I've seen it." said Mr.. Pendexter,
with the remembrance of grim and an.
cient matron in spectaeles, with a ruffied
cap on her head and a prayer book in
her hand, floating before his eyes. "She
looks like a very excellent person,
butt
81 did not know that you had ever
seen mas portrait" said Camilla. "But
what, Henry Penny?'
Henry 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 to his usual af.
fairs.
1t was singular thing never to have
seen ones mother-in-law. Mr.. Pendex.
ter began to feel that it was rather
risky. He had met Miss Spruce at the
house of a mutual friend. She was
teaching school at the time. Her only
living parent, her mother, lived in Cali.
fornia. He had rather rejoiced in the
fact, and now she had broken up house.
keeping 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'll
a-,no+ IN +anoh Bible c1oss snI;lo.
quized Mr.. Pendexte. as he walked
down the street. She'll try to stop my
cigars and my glass of beer of an even.
ing. She'll consider my friends wicked
young men, and throw the eucher deck
into the fire. l know those goody -goody
old ladies by heart"
Suddenly, as he turned the corner. a
face met his eye that brought memories
of long departed days, of a Irritation
which might have resulted in an affair
of the heart. Mr.. Pendexter was not as
young as his wife. He had had his lit.
tie 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 a small place, "
said he to himself, and walked toward
her.
"Well, declare l never expected to
see you again." said the lady with 6
laugh.
"And l thought you still in San Fran.
CISCO" said Mr.. Pendexter. "What nice
talks we used to have, Mrs. Miller"
"Why, it's ten years ago, isn't it?'
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, intended a compliment" said
Mr.. Pendexter. "Tm getting bald" and
he took off his hat.
''It 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 Shake.
speare had occurred to him before, but
no one else had ever told him that he
did. He felt fattered. a little pang 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 had always spoken
after that. He judged that she was
about his own age, and knew she was
widow. There was a charm about her
that he had never seen in any other
woman.
"And / think she told me she was
alone in the world" he said to himself. |
"And / should not have been expecting
my mother-in-law to make my life |
His thoughts were run.
ming away with him; he laughed.
"Are you living in New York, Mrs.
Miller"
"Oh, yes" she answered; "Fm going
to some friends after awhile, but am
at - hotel just now. don't believe
in popping in on people tornado fashion.
If they want me let them urge me, say L.
81 wish my mother-in-law had that