The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-10-05
What the
Mothers Thoughf

In the surge of people at the tea
given for the girl who was about to be
married the mother of the bride-elect
and the mother Of the bridegroom
found themselves in coy corner and
settled down together with their plates
OF salad and cups Of tea.
1--WE been so busy" began the
mother of the bride, "since the en-
gagement was announced that I've
scarcely seen you! Nobody knows
what it means to get daughter ready
to be married! almost envy you!"
Il don't know why" said the mother
of the bridegroom in slightly injured
tones. Just because don't have to
embroider a pile of table linen and
match samples is no sign I've nothing
to do! Why, John is at me every
minute about hosiery and the latest
Ideas in haberdashery and whether ma.
hogany is preferable to mission"
We'll, as to that" interrupted the
BRIDES mother, Il think he ought to
take Gertrude's advice, since 1t is to be
her furniture!"
Il suppose" said Johns mother,
that he naturally thinks know best,
having had more experience than Ger.
trude! When was a girl was taught
useful things about cooking and sew
ing and marketing instead of passing
my time at bridge and running about"
Well" said the brides mother, 81
have tried to bring up Gertrude with
ideas about mere domestic details, and
I must say that expected she'd marry
man who could take care Of her prop.
erly! What the child is going to do
with only one servant don't know!
"Oh, she's cheerful enough about It.,
but to think of her having to answer
the doorbell herself is just dreadful
especially when she needn't have done
1t! l don't like to boast, but you're
in the family now, and l will say that
Gertrude could have married a man
worth half million If she had any
sense-that is, of course, John is all
right and like him."
The bridegroom's mother set down
Der teacup II want to tell you now,"
she said heatedly, that Gertrude is a
mighty lucky young woman to get
John! Any girl might thank her stars
II he chose her for wife! There
isn't better looking, smarter boy in
the whole United States AS for his
disposition-well, many's the time I've
said to his father, Henry, we'll never
raise that child, for he's too sweet
temrered' used to cry about it
sometimes! Maybe it's good thing
that he has such wonderful DISPOSE
ton, since he's marrying Gertrude, for
these modern girls that have been
spoiled are hard to get along with"
Gertrude hard to get along With"
cried her mother. We'll, if you knew
how she has to humor John and give
in to him you'd think the shoe was
on the other foot! My child has per.
fectly angelic nature: I've said to her
many and many a time, Gertrude.
whatever you do. don't be doormat!
It's all right at first, but I'm not 60
ing to see you a downtrodden, abused.
neglected. suffering wife!
MY heart aches for her when I
consider all that she will have to give
up that she has been accustomed to-!
Gertrude is delicate and it's going to
be a great hardship for her to get up
at eight o'clock for breakfast"
Hardship" echoed Johns mother,
Indignantly. We'll, all I've got to say
is that any girl who isn't glad and
thankful that she's got John to eat
breakfast with ISIS"
why on earth my poor misguided
child ever wanted to marry into your
family is beyond mel" cried the brides
mother. when she had dozen other
chances 1t seems as though she must
have been blind or hypnotized! She's
Johns superior In every way, though
OF course. he has done surprisingly
we'll considering all the adverse influ
ences with which he has always been
surrounded. don't suppose he'll ever
appreciate all Gertrude Is sacrificing in
marrying him Gertrude is the sweet
est, prettiest-"
There were half dozen other girls
crazy about john" said his mother
Anu ne Coulu nave IidIIleO any cir
he wanted, and ! told him so, and II
seems queer that he should have pick
ed out one the least suited to him
Gertrude is very nice girl l know
but she isn't calculated to understand
the noble qualities of Johns character
And he is so generous he'll bury his
disappointment and act as if he was
perfectly happy! But his mother vii
see through it all, poor boy!"
There they are now" said the
BRIDES mother. Poor Gertrude She
looks so foolishly happy"
"My poor boy!" murmured John!
mother, craning her neck. He doe!
seem absurdlv cheerful"