The Red Cloud chief., 1892-05-06
RELATIONS-lN.lAW.
Hats for the Guidance OF Young q
inexperienced Wives.

HATS for the Guidance Of Young and
inexperienced Wives.
One of the first questions asked of a
newly made bride is how she likes her
husbands relStions, and if circum-
stances compel her to take up her abode
with them, the question is usually q
alphabetically plying one.
Considering the frequent disagree
ments we see in families II is hardly
surprising if We see occasional troubles
among those of different blood, and
often totally different training. The
~patrlarchal system, while it would give
unity to the nation, is not without indi-
vidual objections 1t is the hardest of
all lessons to learn to accommodate
ones angles to the angles of others.
When a newly-made wife goes To live
with her husbands people she often
loses sight of the fact hat she is simply
a daughter of the house, with no more
than a daughters privileges In the
flush of her new dignity she is apt to
forget that she is simply on the same
footing as her husbands sisters as far
as the management of the house is con-
cerned. While she should aid her
mother BY every means in her power.
she cannot expect to give orders indie
pendently. but submit to direction. No
household can he a success with two
mistresses. and q asSuredly it is the
part of the younger todefer to the elder,
though it may no always seem n pleas
ant duty.
Really and truly we don't think any
thing is more difficult than to live hap
PLY with relations-in-law. Even where
they love one another. there are so
many little traits and peculiarities
which cause internal vexatiOn. if the
Earring elements never come to the sur
face. There is no remedy for it, save
everpresent pa thence and kindness; and
the model daughter-in-law must stand
aloof from family disagreements. She
must never side with John against
Fanny. or throw her weight with her
husband in a difference with his parents
She must always remain neutral. or she
will widen breaches instead of healing
them.
We believe that some of the squibs
and jokes scratched on the walls in
Pompeii make fun of the mothers-in-
law. This estimable member Of society
has been an object of derision of cen-
turtles. Just as if it were our fault that
we become mothers-in-law under some
circumstances. Many a mother-in-law
is as self-sacriicing as a mother: many
a man has reason to bless the woman
who stands in hat relation to him.
There may be scolds and mischief-mak-
ers among them. but they would display
the same Objectionable traits in any
other relation. The implied dislike to
motbers-in-law is about as reasonable
as the dislike for those unappropriated
blessings, old maids.
We can hardly wonder if the loving
mother shows anxiety for the happiness
and comfort of her married darling.
The mistake is in regarding such inter
est as officious. This is a mistake on
the part of the son or daughter-in-law;
and the mothers mistake is in thinking
hat her child's household cannot be
comfortable without her constant super
vision. 4 young housekeeper is very
tenacious of her dignity: she likes the
pomp and circumstance of domestic man.
agement. and the young man just adj
vanced to the proud position of husband
feels all the dignity of the p~atriarchs
vested in his person. So. perhaps. the
qualities most needed among relations
in-law are consideration. ki~ndliness,
and a discreet tongue. II only we all
possessed these qualities what a golden
age we should enter upon.-Christian at
Work.