The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-30
II THE DAILY
STORY
LIKE MOTHER
USED TO MAKE"
BY FANNY GRAY.

(Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
ATATHAN LEACH was spoiled
son when Lena Clark married
Nhim. His mother had shaved
for him all lis life, and but for the
fact that his was naturally sunny,
unselfsh nature, his upbri1ging
would have spelled ruination.
On the whole, however, he was a
pretty good sort, and Lena. who had
married him with her eyes open, had
little cause for complaint. Naturally,
he had imbibed the idea taat 1t was
woman's place to do all she could 20
please man, especially to cats5 to hiE
stomach; for mother" mad always
strtven to crafty his appetite. and
many a time, when scarcely able, had
slayed over hot stove to get UP a
meal that should pleaae HIN and Ills
father. She was always cooking some
special dainty for him and tempting
him with appetizing dishes, until
folks used to say that Nathan Leach's
vile would have hard time with
Nathan always throwing mothers
cooking at her.
Now Lena was something of cook
herself, and rather proud OF 1t,
though she did yield the palm to her
mother-in-law In some things. When
they were married, Nathan had COM
plimented her highly: but, after a
time, he had become more critical,
and Sunconsciously fell into the habit
OF comparing his own table to his
mothers.
y Lena took II good naturally, al
ways had ready answer and SO fric-
tion was avoided. But the habit grow
until 1t became very pernicious one,
and Lena woke up at last to realize
that she never served meal that did
not bring forth some comment or
criticism.
And she realized, also, that 1t was
butts habit, for on some of the occa-
sions when complaint was loudest her
table was best provided.
She turned the situation over and
over In her mind, wondering how she
could meet 1t. 1t was unjust to her,
and sooner or later. would mean I'M
happiness for them both. Nathan
certainly needed lesson. How could
she bring home to him his unfairness
and prove to him that his criticisms
were unwarranted?
Finally she hit upon a plan. Ma
than's mother was a pretty good sort,
after all. And. although she had
been weak and had spoiled her son,
she recognized sc fact and regretted
1T Knowing this, Lena decided to 60
to her for help In her trouble.
She laid the case before her, and
the older woman entered into her
plan most readily. Mother and wife
lnsalcontroyersy against son and hus-
band!
a few days after Lena's conference
with Mrs. Leach, Nathan received a
letter from his mother, who lived
several miles away, stating that she
would arrive on the next day to pay
them a visit OF week.
Lena expressed her pleasure, an,
they planned to give her as good 4
time as they could. 1t would be the
first time she had made them SO long
Q visit since they had set up house
keeping, and would really be quite
anievent.
The next morning, at breakfast
Rfter slightly adverse comment on
the coffee, Nathan began: II do hope
you'll be real careful, Lena, about the
cooking while mothers here. She's
Alright smart hand at it, is mother,
and shouldn't want her to think /
wasn't havin' as good victuals as she
used to set before me-"
eAl right" said Lena, I'll try to
see to 1t that your mother gets cook
mas near like her own as possible.
Don't worry any,"
Mrs. Leach arrived. Many nice