Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-01-31

years.
Jack" she replied, sternly, "you
are as headstroug as your father used
to be. When he was of your age he
would not listen to word about mar
riage. Poor man He much preferred
his famous Bachelors Club, and swore
to remain faithful to Its laws. But,
mark my words, before you know it.
you, too, will be walking up to the al
tar, my friend. 'Ou le pere a passe
pessera bien Penfantp = (The son fol-
lows in the footsteps of his father)-
Alfred de Musset tells u.s."
"Oh, that's all very WE'LL" cry,
"but in my fathers youth the girls
were not full of notions like these OF
to-day they were modestly educated
young girls, the extent of their am
bition being to read sonata, write Il
correct note, and make fairly grace
full courtesy. But now"
"Well, Jack, you are not compli-
mentary, to say the least, interrupted
my mothor. SIT is your opinion,
then, that the girls of my day were
little more than simpletons?"
81 beg your pardon, mother, dear !!
But even you must admit that form
erly the education of young girls was
much less pretentious, and | think
more consistent, than that of our lit
tie blue-stockings; for when they left
boarding-school they had only enough
instruction to enable them to under
ST a Of II
low conversation not enough to hu-
initiate their mothers, and not infre-
quently their husbands as well. From
their infancy they were prepared to
fill the roles of wives and mothers,
and the happy husband could sleep
contentedly every night in the assur-
ances that the angel of the freside'
would superintend the desserts and
darn his socks conscientiously"
Mamma started impatiently from
her chair.
Jack, it seems strange that a wo-
man of the old school should be
obliged to combat your prejudices.
But L assure you, my dear, that in my
time the majority of those angels of
the tireside, whose praises you sing so
loudly, were very shallow girls. What
girl of spirit would be contented with
the secondary role that you men would
like to impose upon her? No, mol 1t
is not the learning of your wife which
frightens you, young men; it is your
own ignorance. Oh, it is nothing
more nor less than self-conceit Ii
you had not been afflicted with lazi-
ness while in college you would fear
comparisons less !"
"Oh! oh mother you're too bad !''
"You maintain, then, that Latin,
Greek-a college education, in short
is incompatible with modesty,
grace, sweetness and the domestic
qualities of woman?"
81 do maintain it most emphati-
cally."
Every well. Go to Nine. Desjar-
dinss with me this evening. There
shall be no more talk of marriage. 1t
is simply an unceremonious call. You
will see the twins, and can judge for
yourself, my son, since you have so
slight regard for my experience.
You understand that you are free to
do exactly as you like. In fact, you
need come to me for no information
or advice ON the subject. Go and
dress, my son.
Marry a baccalaurente Heavens
when l heard my mothers wish ] felt
a shiver run down my back. Look
here, mamma, you may as well be
honest and say outright that you are
planning my death, and by what
means! Why not throw me overheard
and done with it?
The absurdity of proposing b. A.
to me? To me man thirty years OF
age-a man of sense, | can honestly
say-who would only enter the road
to Hymen with the caution of Sioux
Indian Alas! cruel mother, what
have ! done to you? Have l not for
love of you heard La Dame Blanche
eight times?
From the bottom of my heart l
cursed Vichy and its waters. Vichy
with its shady walks, Vichy and it.
, promenade concerts, where mothers il
quest of sons-in laws meet mothers il
quest of daughters-in-law. Was it moi
there under the shades of the park thai
Nine. Desjardins and my mother met
after years of separation? Was it not