Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-21
WINIFRED BLACKS
W SPECIAL ARTICLE
"A STRANGE FAMILY PROBLEM
1872. By Newspaper Feature Servf

This man is in trouble-serious
trouble.
No. he hasn't robbed a bank, or set
fire to a church, or run away with an
other mans wife. He hasn't done any
thing wrong at all-not that | know of.
And he isn't poor and he isn't old.
and he isn't alone. and he isn't i'll. and
he isn't ~friendless, and he isn't shelter
less or hungry-but he is in trouble
just the same.
And it's all about women, two wom-
en-one old and one young.
Each thinks the other is selfish, in
considerable, cold-hearted monster. and
the man doesn't know what to think.
Read what the man has to say about
it and see what you think, yourself.
Dear Winifred Black:
For many years | have read your
articles with interest, and note partic-
ularly your insight into human nature.
I take the liberty of imposing upon you
for advice on a matter that has caused
our family a great deal of worry for
the past few months:
My mother. "a years old, is COM
PEELED to take a street car to go and
come from church. During the ball
season it is almost impossible to get on
the car, to say nothing of securing a
seat.
For this reason father purchased a
little automobile. in order that he might
take her back and forth with more
comfort. He has since died. Mother
made me a present of the machine, and
haye been doing the same for her
that father did.
My wife and | call for her at $50
each Sunday morning and take her to
church. and then we call again for her
at 12:3O and drive her home. Thus,
you see, it is impossible for us 10 take
the auto and go for an all-day outing.
My wife complains that mother is self
ish and inconsiderate of u pleasure.
If it had not been for her we would
not have had the auto at all. As it is.
we get the use of it after l o'clock
each Sunday.
| love 10 give my mother this little
pleasure in her declining years. and /
also have the same feeling for my wife
and want to do everything for the
pleasure of both. Can you help me?
S. o. S.
Now then, what would you take to
be in that mans shoes, or even to have
the tips Of your toes in his slippers:
Poor creature. ] wouldn't change
places with him. il he gave me a
large and enthusiastic check to do it.
! guess he wishes he'd never heard
of a touring car.
If I were in his place I'd rather
hang on to a strap in the street car
for the rest OF my days han to hear
those two women fight over that ear
and who's going to use it and who needs
it most, and all the rest of IT.
How can people be so small. and so
mean. and so selfish.
Why. it sounds as if that man were
telling us about the goings on of a bill
singing ants. without an idea in their
heads or u feeling in their hearts but
self.
What kind Of a wife can this poor
fellow have?
She even b%egrudges his poor old
mother a ride to church once a week.
| suppose mother never gets out OF
the house at all. except at that time.
She's "A years old and she won't
get many more rides in all probability
except the last one. and she may not
know a thing about that.
The mother who pore him. and took
care Of him when he had the measles,
and got up and gave him a drink a
dozen times during the night when be
had the fever. and mended his clothes
and helped him get his lessons, and
dreamed for him and hoped for him
and prayed for him-and now. he
mustn't give her a ride to church on
Sunday mornings, or his wife will be
offended.
Oh, of course. mother may be selfish,
too, She may be spiteful and pretend
to think more of church than she really
does-just to get even with daughter
in-law. but dear me. what of it? At
her age she has a right to be a little
foolish, just as a child has.
Why doesn't daughter-in-law stop
thinking of herself? She has plenty
of Sundays ahead Of her, when she and
husband ran go out for all day and
never think of a thing-but themselves.
Isn't it odd that neither son nor
daughter-in-law ever seems to think of
going to church with mother?
If were that man I'm afraid I'd
well, what would you do?