The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-06-09

womankind, and departed whilst |
returned rejoicing to the old farm.
house.
Here's a very nice beginning, said
l to myself. 1t is now my business
! to give as much satisfaction as poss-
ible.
Fortune favored me in more ways
than one. My mother in law sprained
her ankle on the second day, |
played cook as we'll as man Of all
work with distinguished success, and
had the satisfaction to hear her say
to old Miss Priscilla Perkins that she
didn't know when she had taken
such an notion to any one as she
had to the new man.
He's too young and good looking
to suit me, observed Miss Priscilla,
pursuing up her steel trap of mouth.
He is good looking, amt he?
said my mother in law. But he's
dreadful handy about the house. and
he amt one bit afraid of work. And
you ought to have seen the oysters
he stewed for my supper last night.
and the cup OF tea he made; why |
don't miss Jemima Styles one bit.
II only Nettie could have stayed
single till she met such a man as
this!
smiled to myself as | laid out the
kindlings for the breakfast fire. My
accomplishments as "Jack of all
trades" had never done me much
good before. But now they were
certainly winning me much credit in
the world.
At the end of the third day she
had told me the whole story of her
daughters runaway match with a
good for nothing young city chap.
On the fourth day she had con-
suited me as to whether it was better
to put the forty acre lot into oats or
rye, and won her heart by taking
to pieces the old hall clock, which
had not gone tor ten years, and re-
storing it to running order once
again.
On the evening of the same day
Nettie arrived, all blushing and tremb
ling.
Oh, Dick, said she, is she very
angry?
My dear, she hasn't any idea who
| am.
But, Dick
No butts, my darling, said cheer
fully. Let US be Julius Caesar over
again. We come, we see, we con-
quer.
l dragged my unwilling little wife
into the back room, where my moth
Ell in law lay on a sofa nursing her
ankle.
Here's my wife ma'am, said l, and
l hope she'll give satisfaction.
Mrs. Martin jumped up, in spite
of the wounded ankle.
Nettie? she cried in blank amaze
ment.
Oh. mother, mother! faltered Net
tie, throwing both hands around the
old lady's neck, please forgive me
this time and I'll never, never elope
again!
Please, ma am. we'll be good, ad.
ded 1.
And my mother in law relented on
the spot. How could she do other
wise.
Henrietta, said she, you've been a
naughty-there's no denying that.
But your husband seems handy
man about the house and Pm tired
of living alone. So take off your
things and 60 to work getting supper
As for you. Richard
Yes, ma'am, said |, l know I've
been playing a double part, and
deceived you all along. But I wanted
you to like me-and you know, l
added, all is fair in love and war.
Well, l do like you a little, admit
ted my mother in law. And now
that I've seen you, Dick, don't SO
much wonder at the way Nettie
behaved.
After that she never scolded me
anv more. And | honestly believe
that this is the only case on record in
which a mother in law was conquer
ed in so brief campaign. Nettie
says she doesn't know how l did it.
In fact, l don't quite know myself.