The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-02-15
AN ANXIOUS MOTHER.

scarcely dared hope for reply in the
next issue of The Domestic journal, al
though / had been subscriber for IA
years and had sent large pot of my own
elotted cream with the inquiry. So cut
open the pages with trembling fingers and
almost dropped the paper in surprise at
Ending my pseudonym displayed among
the answers to correspondents
"Anxious Mother-It is, as you say,
most unfortunate that your son should
Unexpectedly decide to come home, just
when you have invited an attractive niece
whom you do not regard as an eligible
partie. With IA little tact on your part, it
should be easy to prevent the young people
from forming an attachment but on no
account should you warn them against SO
doing, or endeavor to keep them apart. A
spirit of opposition is unfortunately in.
herent in young people, and to act as you
suggest would only have the effect of slim
ulatinP desire for the forbidden fruit
Your wisest plan is to impress upon them
both the necessity of giving up their favor
ite pursuits-she her painting, and he his
athletics 1--WE quite agree with you that
football is a brutal game)-so as to be
company for one another. In this way
you will infallihly check any desire for
much companionship. Do not fail to write
to us again. The clothed cream which &C.
companied your letter was excellent and
ministered greatly to our creature COM
forts"
The wisdom of this advice seemed so
evident that had no hesitation in acting
upon it, Things seem so much clearer
when you see them in print
caiH 70 mic
afraid that it will upset your plans dread
fully, but there is no help for it-Charlie
IS coming home tomorrow.
"Ohl" said she cheerfully. "That will
be nice for you, won't 1t, auntieP"
Eyes" said /, "of course it will be nice
for me. But was thinking of you, my
dear" wanted to make her feel aggriev-
cd, you see, at the outset
81 don't see why 1t should be trouble
% me, auntie," she answered, opening
her big eyes wide, in that innocent way
abe has. There is no Disgusting the fact
that her manner and appearance are such
Is to young man might appear interest
ing and attractive. Indeed" she con-
tinued, 81 am very curious to see Charlie
again after oil these years. He used to be
such nice boy. I'm sure l shall like
him." 1t was good thing evidently that
i had taken advice
"He is still very nice," informed her,
with an appearance Of candor, "but / am
afraid he will be rather drawback to
your painting. You see, my dear, young
men expect such lot Of attention now
edsys."
"Do theyf I've generally found 1t the
other way" She laughed mischievously
IL Is a sincere sort of laugh, like grown
up ohild's, and could not help feeling
that 1t would sound very pleasant-to q
young man.
81 dare say you have, Addie," replied
gravely. but you see the case is different
when young man comes home to a
mother who has always spoiled him-I
fear" l sighed.
"a little spelling is good for young peo-
pie If they're nice naturally, dad says, I"
she assured me. Tom always had foolish
theories about such things.
"You see," remarked deprecatingly
she is used to having his convenience
studied in all the arrangements of the
house.
"Am an arrangement" she inquired,
laughing again. "What shall be expect
cd 60 dor"
"Well, I apologized, "Charlie is rather
fond of company, so / expect he will want
you to go out with him a good deal.
fear that it may rather interfere with your
painting"
"Oh, can always get up in the morn
ing and make up time" she replied con-
solingly.
she may ask you to go and watch him
training" said, shaking my head. "He
runs round and round the long path, you
know, and likes some one to take watch
and count how many times he goes round. u
"Oh we'll, that won't make serious
inroad on my leisure. He can't run all
day.
HE may even want you to go to lot
OF football matches. That you cannot be
expected to do" said firmly
"Oh, how delightful The foolish
child actually clapped her hands. 81 love
football above everythingl" Idon't know
what the women of the present day are
coming to.
"Anyhow | am afraid you will FIND
poor Charlie terrible distraction
must confess too, that he is rather giver
30 teasing"
$780," said she, with mischievou
twinkle in her eye "am l.
81 do hope you will not quarrel,
begged, land that you will give him a
much of your society as you can. / wan
the dear fellow to enjoy himself"
NOW don't you worry you dear oil
auntie," she replied shaking one flnge
at me. "Charlie and / are going to b
great friends. I've "a way wild the men,
don't you know"
She kissed me with rush and set m
cap straight again. "I'n go and look II
my fnery to charm his eyes" She trippe
off, singing "Charlie is my darling" an
vainly tried to feel quite satisfied at til
success of my plan Moreover, coul
not resist feeling that was not actin
quite straightforwardly with her Poo
little Addict She is bonny girl.
only poor Tom hadn't been so improv
dentl
Well, Charlie came home and took ,
all by storm as usual, and from the fir
look which he gave her I began to ha'
my fears. "Of course, motherP" he ~