Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1917-11-27

while, / an sure it wouldn't be long
before could afford to Keep up the
TIVE homes"
.Tn think 1t over. Yes, I'll think II
over" she said.
The result was very quiet wedding
at Jenny's home, and the bride Went
to live with the Stacks. She had IN
reality thought it over" and resolved,
for love of her husband, to bring 1or-
bearance and tact to the task.
Mother" she said, s'let us sit down
and have a little talk. want to help
and make it lighter for you in every
way / can, but can't do it unless you
let me know how can do this. II you
prefer to go on ordering the supplies
for the table and the household shall
not in the least interfere. II you
wish me to do so. you will of course all
low me the same liberty. Should l
wish to invite friends in to a tea, q
dinner or an evening gathering ex-
/ pect that privilege. Now want you
to be Just as frank with me as have
been with you. Wherever you disagree
or agree with my program ! wish you
to tell me. It's so much better to have
a thorough understanding at the out
set, isn't it?''
Mrs. Stack stared at her new daugh-
ter-in-law, then looked down in be-
wildered silence. Finally, feeling her
attitude might be misconstrued, sne
made an effort to reply.
"Well-you see-I don't knows I'd
thought 1t out. But maybe you could
sort of take charge of things if ! wasn't
feeling well, or wanted to go away,
and you could leave it to me the rest
of the time"
1t was plain Mrs. Stack didn't mean
to abdicate, and Jenny at once agreed,
but she could not seem to pin the elder
lady down to anything definite on the
other propositions.
Jenny had her piano brought to the
house and still retained her music pu-
pills. One evening she invited ten or
twelve friends in and treated them to
sandwiches, coffee, ice cream and cake.
This was plainly regarded by both the
old people as terrible extravaganza.
Jenny had started in to ruin Homer at
the very outset, and by one or two re-
marks she was made to know this.
When the mother told her son he must
not allow such waste of money, he
retorted that his wife was to do as she
pleased in such matters; she was
spending her own money and had not
asked him for cent.
"Well," answered the mother.
"many's the time I'd have liked to
ask in few old friends, but father al
ways said we couldn't afford 1t.
guess haven't had party in ten
years."
The sons face softened. Patting his
mother on the shoulder, he said well,
well, mother, is it that long? You'll
have to have one!"
mo, Homer, I'm too old to begin
now"
mot bit of itw he laughed, and
hurried of.
1t was about six weeks after this
that Jenny announced she was going
to have in some friends for that eve
ming. Much more elaborate prepara-
tons than for the other were going on.
Chickens were being roasted and ex-
pensive salads prepared. Mrs. Stack,
remembering the censure of her son.
said nothing, but she looked volumes.
Very much to her surprise, the first
conner was one of her oldest friends.
She felt a trifie awkward about the I'M
invited guest, but when some eight or
ten more of her friends poured in and
began to congratulate her on the ami
versary she realized that Jenny was
celebrating the thirty-third anniversary
of her wedding. But the finish came
when huge wedding cake with won
iderful icing was brought in. The little
old lady put her arms around her
daughter-in-law's neck, broke down and
sobbed. The old bridegroom took them
both in his arms and Jenny knew she
had won.