Cheyenne record., 1916-11-02
"ukE MOTHER MADE"
sy FANNY GRAY.

Nathan Leach was spoiled only
son when Lena Clark married him. His
mother had slaved for him all his life.
and but for the fact that his was a
naturally sunny. unselRsh nature, his
upbringing would have spelled ruina.
ton.
On the whole, however, he was q
pretty good sport, and Lena, who had
married him with her eyes open, had
little cause for complaint. Naturally,
he had imbibed the idea that 1t was
woman's place to do all she could to
please man, especially to cater to his
stomach; for mother" had Always
striven to crafty mis- appetite, and
many time, when scarcely able, had
slaved over hot stove to get up q
meal that should please him and his
farmer father.
Now Lena was something of q cook
herself, and rather proud of It, though
she did yield the palm to her mother
in-iaw in some things. When they were
first married, Nathan had compliment
ed her highly; but, after a time. he
had become more critical, and uncon-
sciously fell into the habit Of COM
pairing his own table with his mothers.
Lena took 1t good naturedly, always
had ready answer and so friction
was avoided. But the habit grew until
it 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.
She turned the situation over and
over in her mind, wondering how she
could meet it.
Finally she hit upon a plan. Ma
than's mother was pretty good sort.
after all. And, although she had been
weak and had spoiled her son, she rec
ognized the 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.
A few days after Lena's conference
with Mrs. Leach, Nathan received a
letter from his mother. who lived sew
eral miles away, stating that she would
arrive on the next day to pay them q
visit Of week.
The next morning, at breakfast, aft.
er slightly adverse comment ON the
coffee, Nathan began: II do hope
you'll be real careful, Lena shout the
cooking while mothers here. She's q
right smart hand at 1t, is mother, and
shouldn't want her to think I wasn't
havin' as good victuals as she used to
set before me-"
Mrs. Leach arrived. Dinner the first
day passed Off very well, but after
ward Nathan took occasion to say.
when he and Lena were alone, 'Say,
Lena, If there's one thing mother can
cook it's beefsteak, and that we had
today wasn't up to the mark-not by q
good deal"
"That so?" said Lena quietly. "Well.
didn't see anything the matter with
it. Your mother ate here share all
right, and acted AZ if,,shs liked It,
too"
"Oh, she'd seem to. You know that.
But I tell you It was overdone."
Lena didn't answer, and Nathan baid
no more then. But similar scanes took
place during the whole 81 his mothers
visit. Possibly he criticised Attls
less openly than he had been doing at
the table, but Lena had to listen to
complaints and comparisons till It was
u wonder how good-naturedly she bore
It.
Sometimes, In the presence Of both.
he would refer to the things mother
used to make" half jokingly, or ask
Lena to get the recipe for thts' thing
or that.
On the last day of Mrs. Lsach's stay.
Nathan came In at noon to ind Lena
lying down on the sofa and his mother
ready to take up the dinner ana 'Ssrvs
him. In response to inquiries, Lena
made light Of her indisposit1on. and
even ventured the statement that she
was feeling SO much better maybe she
would come to the table.
your mother got the DINNER. Ma
than" she said, az Mra Leach was
taking up the beefsteak Eand t00o-
tables. II am sure you'll enjoy 1t"
"You bet I WILL" agreed Nathan,
drawing up his chair. Seems Just
as If was at home again"
Everything came In for praise. Never
was steak 80 exactly right, potatoes
couldn't be more mealy, and a. for the
hot biscuits and rhubarb pie-woll,
they were perfect.
Nathan drove his mother home In
the cool Of the early evening. When he
returned, Lena. having recovered re-
markably well from her illness OF the
morning, sat ON the plaza, waiting for
him.
There was something she wanted to
say, but, somehow, now the moment
had come, she couldn't seem. to find
the right words. But her mother-in-