Mexico Missouri message., 1903-08-06
KEEN SPECULATION.
new Jibson'a MOther-in-LRw Got
Him for a steady
Tenant.

Jibson was a crushed man. Even the
fellows who daily labored with hiln in
the same bank and were wont to pull off
their coats as they entered the place
in the morning and hail him with a
CHEEKY Hello, Jibsoni" noticed IL.
That evening he was badly "snagged"
for the first time in the history of his
connection with the concern, and la
bored over his desk until nearly mid
night to discover deficit of two cents
in the accounts, for Jibson was too con-
scientious a man to force q balance.
The clerks, one and ali, resolved, IL pos
sible, to probe the mystery, but il was
unfathomable. But Il was no mystery
10 JibsOn's home circle. Five years be-
fore Jibson had fallen violently in love
with the sweetest little girl in the
world, had married her and had taken a
fat. In their own quiet, unobtrusive
way they were happy. Then Jibson's
mother came to visit her daughter for
few days. This event happened Just
two weeks after the marriage, and Jib-
sons mother-in-law was still with
them. A month or so after her advent
she proposed that Jibson rent a house.
She knew of one, she said, in the sub
urbs, an ideal home. Jibson weakly
consented to visit the premises, and
two weeks later Jibson, his wife, moth
er-in-law, the maid of all work, Alex
ander, the dog, and the canary bird
we're installed in the new home. Then
Jibson's mother-in-law took charge.
She issued a mandate to the effect that
they must economic. She stated that
she would purchase Jibson's cigars
hereafter. And she did. At a depart
ment store.
Poor Jibson never complained, not
even when she brought brush and box
Of backing and commanded that here
after he was to shine his own shoes. His
little wife looked on her mothers ex-
ecutive ability with awe, and even the
butcher and baker, with whom he had
daily arguments, treated her with
wholesome respect. The policeman on
the beat-well, she caught him sitting
in the kitchen one evening, and since
that time he had passed the house on
tiptoe. Jibson noticed that his mother
in-law was more careful of the prem
ises than seemed consistent with one
who was merely visiting family who
rented, and did not own the place, but
his brain was in a whirl and he let it 60
at that.
One day he heard with amazement
that his mother-in-law had discharged
the servant for leaving the imprint of
her smutty hand on the wall paper in
the dining-room.
But you informed me that the land
lord was to repaper the house this
spring!" ventured Jibson.
THE landlord has decided TO do moth
ing of the kind" asserted his mother
in-law. The wall paper is still in first
class condition." One morning Jib-
sons mother-in-law induced him TO
visit real estate Office and sign an
agreement to keep the house for
period of five years longer, and against
his better judgment Jibson did so.
That evening matters came to a crisis.
Mrs. Potts, Jibson's mother-in-law, had
decided that Alexander, Jibson's dog,
must go. Alexander had never liked
Mrs. Potts, and on several occasions had
suarled and barred his teeth at her. Jib-
son, meek as he was, rose up in wrath
and declared that if Alexander left the
house he would go, too.
Alexander, madam" he declared,
'has more right in this house than
you! You came here five years ago to
visit us for two weeks. 1 now desire
you, madam, in the words of the poet,
to take your clothes and co."
What" yelled Mrs. Potts. "You or
der me to leave this house?"
"Yes!" Numbered Jibson. 'Leave my
housed"
Your house! Ha, hal" laughed Mrs.
Potts. Gibson, you are born fool!
This is my housed"
"Wha-at?" stammered JibsonA
"Yes," retorted his mother-in-law.
"And, remember, you have signed an
agreement to rent it for five more years.
] paid 1000 down for this place when
you two were married, and since then
have been saving up the rent you
have paid me and paying off the mort
gage. Last week / made the last pay
ment, and am now the owner of unin-
numbered property. After this you can
buy your own cigars and have your
shoes shined at the barber shop on Sum
days, but think it is wasteful ex-
travagance!"
And some time later Jibson eonfiden-
TALLY related the circumstances to
friend and said: 81 honestly believe
that some day she'll be specializing in
railroadsl"-Cincinnati Enquirer.
Good oyster ChOwdeF.
Fry till crisp four ounces of salt pork