Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-10-21
Find the Moral.

Eanaper told him she had no Idea Of
Interfering with his domestic affairs.
II hope \ always have realized that
young people must find out for them-
selves what is best for them, and settle
their own differences without the help:
Of any third person. she said. when
you marry Bessie I can't help being
your mother-in-law, but I'm not going
to be the kind Of mother in-law that
yon- read about in the funny papers"
at isn't necessary for you to tell me
that" said Stribling, smiling. y y
"1'm coming to see you now land
them" continued Mrs. sannper. ''but Pm
not going to make any Six months
visits ,ssss
II wish that you'd make up your
mind to live with u.s.. said Stribling,
with perfect sincerity.
II won't" said Mrs. Sanaper.
think too much Of you both. And an
other thing ls that Bessie needn't come
to me with any of her troubles, thinking
I'm going to take her part, for Pm not.
think you're a dear, good boy. but
do not think you are an angel. and I
know Bessie isn't, SO. you'll have your
troubles"
Il don't think they'll be very serious
ones,'' said Stribling, confidently.
s.Well, that's all, said Mrs. Sanaper.
ANow you know what you've got to ex-.
pect. I've declared myself, and that's
what wanted to do. Bessie will be
down In a few minutes"
Stribling married Bessie about a
/ month after that interview and he was
not long in discovering that Mrs. Sana-
per was living up to the letter and
spirit Of her declaration. She came to-
see the young people, but not half often
Nenough to please Stribling. When she
did come her cheerfulness, her warm
appreciation of everything done or plan,
ned In the little home, her approval of
everything they had acquired, made her
household joy. When the first baby
arrived her helpfulness was beyond
+ words and Stribling was almost fearful
In his gratitude. But even the baby
was unable to keep her day longer
than she was absolutely needed.
.sNo, john she said. when Stribling
entreated her, even Reproduced her, II
don't live SO far off that can't be here
the minute I'm wanted, and 1 II be over
to see the little precious often enough;
But I'll never forget what ! went
through with my own dear mother
when Bessie was baby. Mother was
with us all the time and she wouldn't
let me do a single thing that wanted
to do with my own child. No, I'll call
Z you>up every day that l don't come. but
I've got to 60 now"
II any one wanted to stir strlbllng
mp. he had only to speak sllghtingly Of
mothers-in-law even In general terms.
Il at makes me weary to hear a man
who pretends to rudimentary sense and
decency talking that way" Strlbling
would say. II tell you thnt no man can
have a greater blessing than mother
in-law Of the right kind. and they're
generally Of the right kind. let me tell
you. l don't know how I'd ever get
along without nine,
Perhaps yoursis an exception" one
Of the afflicted ones would suggest
"You bet she's an exception" strib-
ling would say, carried q little into
Inconsistency by his enthusiasm. And
then he would begin to Drag Of Mrs.
Sanaper.
Perhaps the fact that Mrs. sanaper
actually had sided with him In one or
two little domestic difficulties helped
on his enthusiasm. Mrs, stribling on
+ one occasion was disposed to regard
her husbands staying out late rather
too seriously and her mother gently de-
Tended the man. 1T viii probably hap
pen again, my dear. she said. "'but the
wrost thing In the world to do Is to
make fuss about 1t. He's a man and
men don't like to feel that they are not
allowed little libesty. Besides, why
shouldn't he have little change once
in while7 You give him cheerful
welcome when he does get home and
tell him you hope be enjoyed himself,