Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-12-19
ONLY LITTLE DRUSA Her MOther=in=laW

ELLA" said my husband. IT have
heard from my mother. She wants to
come and live with US. She will he
here tomorrow
Il thought she lived in Milwaukee
with your sister"
80 she does" said Pierre, "but she
and my sister don't seem TO agree"
"Ohw said l. thinking how disagree
able she must he TO quarrel with her
own mother.
My mother-in-law arrived the next
day-a fat old lady, with a purple com
plexion, sharp. black eye and fringe
of false curls on either side of her face
what" said my mother-in-law, "a
black silk dress at home?" And she
scrutinized my simple toilet with pen
etrating gaze. Does Pierre's income
admit of that?"
"Pierre's income has nothing to do
with It," returned gayly. II bought
the dress myself. 1t was one | had be-
fore we We're married"
Il should advise a Bingham or al
paca for home Dress" said my moth
er-in-law.
Pierre likes to see me In black silk"
I protested.
Men know nothing about such
things" said my mother-in-law.
That was the beginning of 1.-THE be-
ginning of a course of meddlng and
criticising and Interference that nearly
drove me frantic She disapproved of
everything on principle.
"My dear Ella" said she. that great.
tall sister of yours ought to be earning
her own living
but she must get an education first"
pleaded l.
Education! Fiddle! What does a
girl like her need except to read and
write and cast up accounts? | should
think she might get a place as cash
girl in a store instead of living on
Pierre's charity"
colored holly.
"If Pierre does not object" said /,
'no one else need"
Il don't like TO see him imposed up
on" said my mother-in-law.
She grew more and more disagreed
Bile with me every day. 1t wasn't
week before she got the housekeeping
money away from me.
II shall spend 1t so much more eco
nomically than a young thing like you.
Ella" said she.
But at the months end she had to
ask Pierre for another SO to balance
the bills.
Things are SO much higher here
than in Milwaukee" said she.
But | noticed that very evening
that my mother-in-law came home
with new bombazine dress. And
put two and two together. How could
l help it?
She told Pierre that / was lazy and
extravagant. She asked him If Cora
was TO stay forever. ''sponging" her
living out of him. She shook her false
curls and groaned out that she didn't
see where all the money went to. And
through 1t all she pretended that she
was very fond OF us all.
'Of course" said she, cit would be a
deal pleasanter for me to stay with my
dear daughter in Milwaukee, but | al
ways prefer duty to mere personal
qualification
you are very kind. mother" said
dear, stupid Pierre. who put implicit
faith in everything the old lady said
went into the other room, when
Pierre and his mother had gone out
without thinking of consulting me
to get a new china tea set
Cora" said |, Il can't stand this.
Pierre has got to choose between his
mother and me-"
"Oh, Nellyw said innocent little Cora.
81 mean it," said l. But how | was
the least idea.
Fortune, however. favored me. Cora
came home from school the next day
with a high fever and in a day or two
she broke out with scarlet rash.
There is a great deal of smallpox
around" said Pierre. with a troubled
face Il fear it is that. At all events
we had better all be vaccinated. How
lucky that my mother is here 10 help
nurse herr
But Mrs Wallace. Sr., presently came
down stairs in the bombazine dress.
with Pierre's best leather travelling bag
in her hand.
why, mother" said Pierre in aston
ishment. where are you going?"
Home" said Mrs. Wallace grImly;
"to Milwaukee"
and leave EllaY'
ELLA will do very we'll" said Mrs.
Wallace. II don't mean TO stay and
expose myself 10 the smallpox My
own health is the first consideration"
And away went my motherin
without even stopping for the formal
ity of goodby."
Pierre set his teeth together
Il would not have believed" said he,
chat any human creature could be so
selfish or so cold hearted"
pierre" said l. creeping up to him,
don't be afraid. It's only the measles
that Cora has. And | wouldn't mind
the smallpox itself If it only helped TO
rid mo Of thar old lady Oh Pierre. she