The Lamar register., 1916-12-13
like MOTHER MADE"
BY FANNY GRAY.


mother had shaved for him all his life,
and but for the fact that his was
naturally sunny, unselfish nature, his
upbringing would have spelled ruina-
ton.
On the whole, however, he was a
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 ii was
womans place 10 do all she could To
please man, especially to cater to his
stomach; for mother" had always
striven to crafty his appetite, and
many time, when scarcely able, had
shaved over a hot stove 10 get up
meal that should please him and his
farmer father.
Now Lena was something Of cook
herself, and rather proud of it, though
she did yield the palm to her mother
in-law in some things. When they were
first married, Nathan had compliment
ed her highly; but after time, he
had become more critical, and uncOn-
sciously fell into the habit of com
pairing his own table with his mothers.
Lena took it good naturedly, always
had ready answer and so friction
was avoided. But the habit grew until
it became a very pernieiOus one. and
Lem 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 1t.
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 rec
Ognized the fact and regretted it.
Knowing this, Lena decided to go 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 u
visit of week.
The next morning. at breakfast, aft
er slightly adverse comment on the
coffee, Nathan began II do hope
you'n be real careful, Lena, about the
cooking while mothers here. She's a
right smart hand ut it. is mother, and l
shouldn't want her to think I wasn't
havin' as good victuals ns she used to
set before me-"
Mrs. Leach arrived. Dinner the first
day passed OF very well, but after
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 a
good deal"
THAT soY" said Lena quietly. well,
l didn't see anything the matter with
II. Your mother ate her share all
right, and acted as II she liked 1t,
too"
"Oh, she'd seem to. You know that.
But l tell you it was overdone."
Lena didn't answer, and Nathan said
no more then. But similar scenes took
place during the whole Of his mothers
visit. Possibly he criticized a little
less openly than he had been doing at
the table, but Lena had to listen to
complaints and comparisons till 1t 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 this thing
or that.
On the last day of Mrs. Leach's stay,
To- In \
lying down on the sofa and his mother
ready to take up the dinner and serve
him. In response to Inquiries, Lena
made light Of her indisposition, and
even yentured 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, as Mrs. Leach was |
taking up the beefsteak and vege- |
tables. Il am sure you'll enjoy it,"
You bet 1 WILL" agreed Nathan, |
drawing up his chair. Seems just /
as If | was at home again"
Everything came in Tor praise. Never
was steak so exactly right, potatoes
be more mealy. and as for the
hot biscuits and rhubarb pie-well,
they were perfect.
Nathan drove his mother home in
the cool of the early evening When he
ha,-f-v