The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1893-07-07
HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW.
She Was Not the Hard, Unfor9iv-
ing Creature He Expected.

ing Creature He Expected.
you've come, have you?" said my
mother-in-law in a deep voice. as she
stood on the threshold grimly survey
ing me with eyes that shone like hard,
greenish-b gooseberries Behind her
spectacles. For such modern trif1es as
eyeglasses were as unsuited to my
mother-in-law's fine Roman nose as a
point lace collar would be to the Venus
di Milo. could feel her glance pene-
trate to the very marrow of my bones;
and yet l contrived to keep bold front
as stood facing her.
1t was rather a curious complication.
My mother-in-law had not the least
idea who was. I had cheerfully in
tended to take her by surprise; but now
that the eventful moment had arrived,
my courage, like that of Bob Acres, as
Jefferson shows him, was oozing out at
the ends of NY fingers.
My name is Richard Dalton. Twas
then just twenty-one, with a face that
was not absolutely ugly, sublime au-
dacity, and pockets not particularly
well lined. and had just distinguished
myself by running away with a pretty
girl from boarding school.
''But. Dick" she had demonstrated,
tive have nothing to live on
Don't be a goose. darling!" had been
my reply. What do people need to
live on? All the wants of this world,
more or less. are fictitious. A crust of
bread and a glass of water three times
a 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 aciuiesced in my argument. We
had taken board at the Angel Hill
Hotel" and began our honeymoon roy
ally. At the erd 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 signitied, and now we might lie on
it.
''Oh, Dick" cried Nettie, clasping her
hands; what are we to dO?"
Hanged if l know" was my rather
blank response. But don't cry. dar-
ling, I'll go and see her myself"
You, Dick?''
Il, myselfr'
''She'll have nothing to say to you
''She can't help herself
shell turn you out of doors"
"We1l see about that"
''But, Dick, you don't know-you
can't have any idea-how terrible she
is sighed Nettie.
st. George conquered the dragon,
my love-" asserted, cheerfully, land l
mean to conquer your mother. So pack
my valise, there's a darling. and I'll be
off before the landlord comes back from
Liverpool.
But, Dick, if hes troublesome, what
can l say to him." appealed poor little
frightened Nettie.
Tell him I've gone out of town and
shall be back in few days" said l,
confidently.
But valiantly as l spoke, my mental
sensations by no means corresponded
with this bold part. was beginning
iimly to realize what a very unwise
step I had taken and also persuaded
poor Nettie to take.
And was secretly making up my
mind that if Nettie's mother refused to
receive us, l would ship myself off to
sea as second mate or third purser, or
something of that sort, send my adj
vanced 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-law's door she greeted
me as if had been expected for the
last week or SO.
you've come, have you?" was the
salutation.
''Well, yes" admitted, 'I've come"
what on earth detained your said
she.
In my mind cast about what to say
and settled ON the first convenient ex-
cuse that came into my head
1.-THE train was delayed at Boyle
town." said I.
'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?'
"Yes," said 1, with an asserting nod.
LET me see," said my mother-in-law.
as she took a steaming platter of ham
and eggs out of the oven and lifted
shining coffee pot from the stove; show
old are your
Zone and twenty" said 1.
DO you think" said she, pensively
feeling of her chin. that you are able
to take care of the place? There's a
great deal to do, you know, on farm
like this. Do you think you're up to
the work?"
''Of course think so,' said /, won
dering what on earth my mother-in-
law meant.
''You are married, ] suppose" said
she.
'Oh. yes" said /, swallowing the hot
coffee and winking my eyes very hard.
"rm married"
Can your wife make herself general
ly useful about the place." sharply de-
manded the old lady.
Certainly she can," said /, beginning