Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Find the Moral


Before Stribling got married Mrs.
Sanaper told him she had no idea of
interfering with his domestic affairs.
II hope l 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 l can't help being
your mother-in-law, but I'm not going
to be the kind of mother-in-law that
you read about in the funny papers"
1T isn't necessary for you to tell me
that" said Stribling, smiling.
'I'm coming to see you now and
them" continued Mrs. Sanaper, ''but I'm
not going to make any six months
visits"
81 wish that you'd make up your
mind to live with u.s." said Stribling,
with perfect sincerity.
81 won't" said Mrs Sanaper. 81
think too much of you both. And an
other thing is that Bessie needn't come
to me with any of her troubles, thinking
I'm going to take her part, for I'm not.
I think you're dear, good boy, but l
do not think you are an angel, and l
know Bessie isn't, so you'll have your
troubles"
81 don't think they'll be very serious
ones,'' said Stribling, confidently.
"Well, that's ALL said Mrs. Sanaper.
"Now you know what you've got to ex-
pect. I've declared myself, and that's
what l 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
enough to please Stribling. When she
did come her cheerfulness, her warm
apnreciation Of everything done or plan
ned in the little home, her approval of
everything they had acquired made her
n 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.
mo. John" she said, when Stribling
entreated her, even reproached her, 81
don't live so far off that l can't be here
the minute I'm wanted. and I'll be over
to see the little precious often enough.
But III never forget what l went
through with my own dear mother
when Bessie was a baby. Mother was
with us all the time and she wouldn't
let me do a single thing that l wanted
to do with my own child. No, I'll call
you up every day that l don't come, but
I've got TO go now"
If any one wanted to stir Stribling
I'D he had only to speak slightingly of
mothers-in-law even In general terms.
at makes me weary to hear a man
who pretends to rudimentary sense and
decency talking that way" Stribling
would say. az tell you that no man can
have greater blessing than mother
in-law of the right kind, and they're
generally of the right kind, let me tel
you. l don't know how I'd ever get
along without mine"
Perhaps yours is an exception" one
of the afflicted ones would suggest.
You bet she's an exception" Strib
ling would say, carried a little into
inconsistency by his enthusiasm. Ant
then he would begin to brag of Mrs
Sanaper.
Perhaps the fact that Mrs Sanapel
actually had sided with him in one Oh
two little domestic difficulties helped
on his enthusiasm. Mrs. Stribling OF
one occasion was disposed to regard
her husbands staying out late rather
too seriously and her mother gently de
Tended the man. 1T will probably hap
pen again, my DEAR" she said. "but tn,
wrost thing in the world to do is tt
make fuss about IT. He's a man ant
men don't like to feel that they are no
allowed a little liberty. Besides, VIII.
shouldn't he have a little change one
in a while? You give him a cheerful
welcome when he does get home an,
tell him you hope he enjoyed himself