Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-09-13
MARRYING MOTHER
BY LOUISE NJ. ADDISON

H. II only dear mamma were not
quite SO dictatorlal!"
zone would think" rumlnated the
physician, that she was the doctor
and the Office boy. If she doesn't
Ike a patients looks, or manners. or
expression, she refuses him admit
lance; says I'm out, or sick. or dead;
anything 10 make IL certain that he
VIII never call again. And Shepard.
across the street, only too anxious as
he Is, 10 grab my practice"
but what can we doF" walled the
doctors pretty wife. 1--WE can't deny
her a home, can we? Poor mamma :!
Poor me! Poor you! Poor chill
dren! But cheer up, little one, have
something in view"
Something in viewT repeated Mrs.
Pratt uneasily.
Don't worry. It's not murder or
Punishment I'm contemplating for your
dear mother What l had in mind
was matrimony."
Mrs. Pratt, who was not wholly
without humOr, smiled. "Who is it,"
"Alwyn Pratt, my uncle. Since his
wife died, a year ago, he's been very
unhappy for lack of some one 10 scrap
with. I'm in hopes that your mother"
Mrs. Pratt laughed in spite of her
self. Edwin, that's not nice of you.
Mother will never marry-least Of all
a member Of your family. You know
her"
Il know her. Therefore I'm bring
ING Uncle Alwyn 10 dinner tonight.
Good-by. dear. Some of the patients
your mother couldn't drive away are
waiting for me 10 see them"
Mrs. Colwell. Doctor Pratt's mother
ln-law, dressed for dinner that eve
ming with the satisfied air of one
whose time has neen well spent, as,
indeed. Il had been.
Mother. dear" said Mrs. Pratt, tim
idly breaking In ON Mrs. Colwelrs
pleasing reflections. 81 hope you don't
mind III we-if we have company to-
nightT
Company Mrs Colwell stared In
credulously. Company. and l not
know it? Who is coming?'
"Edwln's uncle. Mr.. Alwyn Pratt-a
very nice old gentleman, indeed"
The door bell rang sharply. The
dinner guest had arrived.
Mr.. Alwyn Pratt was a handsome
old gentleman. with white hair, and
sharp. black eyes that twinkled mys-
teriously as he shook hands with his
nephew's mother-in-law. His eyes con-
tinued TO twinkle. in spite Of the glare
with which Mrs. Colwell favored him.
The dinner was nervous affair.
II would like" said the uncle, "A lit
tie more pudding. II your gracious
mother would be so kind"
Mrs. ColwelTs outraged feelings
could be repressed no longer.
II am curious" said she. "as To what
a member of the Pratt family knows
about manners. gracious or otherwise"
"Hm!" said Mr.. Pratt, with a
chuckle. "Not much, maybe. Just
enough To know when they are miss
ing Sorry you don't like the Pratts,
ma'am. Our people don't show their
feelings 80 plainly. We proved 1t when
my nephew here married your daugh-
ter. Not that we were disappointed in
the little lady. bless her. She's every
thing that could be desired. But we
disapproved Of-of her connections"
"Her connectiOnsr Mrs. Colwell
gasped. She was the only living rela-
tive of her daughter. "Her connec-
lions! Why. considered II the dlsap-
polntment Of my life when my daugh-
Ter married Doctor Pratt! Don't you
boast about your family! One Of them
l. a rascally barber!'
"Oh. madame - protested Uncle Al
vvn. Don't say that! Joe's not
rascaIIy barber. A more painstaking
and affectionate man never saw. He's
shaved me for years, and ! know. The
soul Of honor. Joe Is. I'm not ashamed
of him. II might be good deal worse.
For example. he might have been
horse thief!'
Mrs. ColweI turned n deep purple.
Her daughter rose. hastily, but Doctor
Pratt restrained her.
Don't worry. Everything Is going
fine" he whispered.
Mrs. Colwelrs furious voice filled
the room. sit isn't true that my grand
father stole a horse. He had bought
the horse. and"
"Dear lady" said old Alwyn, bland
IL. "dld ! say your grandfather stole a
horseg Far be IL from me 10 make SO
vulgar n statement. I didn't know your
grandfather. didn't even know the
horse. Moreover"
..You-yuu-at least you can't deny
mat your uncle was one Of the worst
gamblers IN the city. He"
Doctor Pratt seized his wife's hand
and drew her from the room.
"The courtship Is in full swing he
said.
old Mr. Pratt spent a delightful eve
ming. and called again the following
week. Nor. to her daughters surprise,
did Mrs. Colwell object TO his coming.
In three months they were married.