San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-25
Listen, World!
Mama's Girl
By Elsie Robinson

Helen's friends all think it is so
lovely that Helen can live so near 10
her mother.
Most young wives have to 90 way
off to some other part of the country
and "that would have just about killed
Helen and her mother say the neigh
bors. They've always been so de-
voted. Why, we've never seen
daughter that depended on her mother
as much as Helen. And Mrs. Smith is
such a sweet woman Not one of those
managing. interfering kind that make
so much trouble in new homes. Ben
Richards will never have to fear that
his mother-in-law will try to break up
his home"
Mrs. Smith is sweet woman. One
of the motherly sort who delight in
doing things for everyone. 1t is small
wonder that Helen adores her mother.
For all the 90 years of her life.
Helen's mother has been doing things
for her. without ever counting the
cost in time or worry. Moreover she
has done them extremely we'll.
Naturally it's delight to lean on
mother like that. If Helen wants
new hat. she knows that mother will
shop for one gladly and find the very
prettiest hat at the best price.
If Helen needs 10 write a paper for
the club meeting, mother will write it
for her with cleverness and dispatch.
Mother is interested in city politics.
in social service. in Parcnt-Teacber
associations, in innumerable good and
wise works. And now that Helen
has become Married Lady. who could
better instruct her in the arts and re-
her own mother?
So Helen Runs To Mother With
/ Everything.
And the neighbors think it's lovely.
But Helen's husband doesn't.
In fact he is becoming increasingly
peevish ON the subject.
Helen resents this.
"Why you act just as II mama was
trying to make trouble!' she cries.
Its absolutely unfair. Mother loves
you and she'd do anything for us. It's
Just mean and selfish OF you. Ben
Richards, to grudge me the pleasure OF
seeing my own mother"
81 don't grudge you the pleasure,
sulks Ben. Its just-oh, gosh, L
can't explain-but it gives me pain
in the neck to see you running TO your
mother for everything under the SUM-
Helen. of course. Immediately con-
cludes that Ben is frightfully jealous.
But Ben isn't jealous. He is in the
grip of a natural. healthy resentment
and Helen is acting most foolishly in
not trying to understand that resent
ment.
Ben is one Of these men who have
an honest scorn for the spinelessness
of the proverbial Clinging Vine. When
he married Helen he thought he was
getting Live Wire. He wanted some
one who could stand on her own feet
and do her own thinking. He wanted
to feel proud of his wife. He wanted
to discuss his affairs with her. he
wanted to be able to trust her deci-
sions, and work with her as a part
ner. He had his eye on fine posi-
ton in a neighboring state and he
thought that Helen would help him
work toward that position.
But instead, he found that he had
married Mama's Girl.
He has nothing against that Mama
She is a good, wise. kind Mama AMI
Ben has a high respect and admira
ton for her. But he thinks it is higl
time she got over Mamaing his wife
And every day he has less respec
for the wife who can't get along with
out her mama.'
1t isn't jealousy that Ben feels TO
ward his. wife.
1t is contempt.
The contempt of an Independent per
SON for dependent one.
The contempt of person who i
proud of his own intelligence for tn,
person who doesn't trust or develol
hers.
And also there's the resentful feel
ing that he has been somehow cheated
He has.
Copyright, 1896. King Features Syn, Inc