Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-08-30
MOTHER
BECOMES AN
AUTHOR
90 BY D. ). waish.l

lis. AUbHhI LAkDLAW
MI looked over the coffee urn
1Nl at her family. Her husband,
stolld, well groomed, prosper.
Gus looking. half hidden behind his
morning paper; Madelaine. dGintlly
pretty. still sleepy from last nights
Country club dance; Hubert. Jrp or
"Hub," blond hair disheveled. dividing
his attention between his bacon and
eggs and his "math" book propped up
against the water pitcher before his
plate. Is
81 am going to ask you all favor,
and wish you would pay attention to
me-" said Mrs. Laidlaw as she care
fully dropped two and half Jumps
of sugar into her husbands coffee and
passed II to him. II want you-all
three-to give this evening to me-"
"Sorry. Nom, but can't" said Hub.
promised Mickey I'd help him tear
down his radio set tonight"
"That can walt until tomorrow
night. son. Mother doesn't ask favors
very often and this is important-to
me-"
"Oh, mother" complained Madclaine
YEARLY. 81 planned on going to bed
early tonight-Tll be just dead and
tomorrow night Is the sorority dance
at the club didn't get in until
three this mornlng-and I can just
never keep-awakel"
81 won't keep you much after eight"
promised her mother. ut will help me
a lot-your new ideas. You see-now
that | have more time-I am going to
write stories. did in college and fa-
ther will remember that had several
published. have been too busy all
these years but now-Pm
writing. have one all ready for copy
Ing and would like to have your
opinion before I send 1t out. 1t seems
very good-to me-but Of course critl-
cisms are always helpful"
Mr. Laidlaw smiled at her over his
newspaper.
Turning literary again, mother, aft
err all these years? Well, well. We
will all be on hand tonight to hear
your story. Beauty maps and radios
can walt this time. After all these
years Of cares and household duties,
mother is going back to her first
love-"
That evening Mr.. Laidlaw ensconsed
himself In his favorite chair, the eve
ming paper folded on the table beside
him. Hub leaned over his closed his
tory book. his face in his palms. and
Madelaine was stretched full length
on the couch. her pretty face resting
In the crook OF her arm.
AT college I always wrote small
town Stories" said Mrs. Laidlaw as
she unfOIded the pages of her story.
"My professor told me never to try to
change my style-and I couldn't II
would. I love the atmosphere Of small
townsville people there-and this
story Is OF a typical small town fam
fly with the mother and wife as the
main character. She has husband
a son and-a daughter-just like me.
She rebels against what she calls q
restricted life"
hcuu H. MUM, ECuu II Nut thS
scenario" advised Hub and his mother
began to read. Her husband nodded
approvingly several times and twirled
his thumbs. his chin resting on his
shirt front. Her daughter glggled
once or twice, yawned. furtively wiped
away a tear at one thigh spot" and
then relaxed, her eyes closed. Hub
slid down into his chair, his hands
thrust deep into his pockets and gave
his mother his undivided attention. II
was just after eight when she folded
the pages, snapped an elastic band
about them, and looked from one face
to another expectantly.
"Well." she invited.
"Good stuff, my dear. You have moi
lost your flair for story telling. But
there are-ahem-one or two details
which I think could be changed-im
proved upon. Now, for instance, your
Harry Carpenter should not be pro
duce man. Let him be a banker In
that small town."
"Iika yourself, dearT laughed his
wife goOd-naturedly. II do like the
idea OF Henry being a produce man
because naturally Marion-hls wife
would rebel Mt onions, carrots, peas.
tomatoes, beets, and all that. I really
built my story on that idea, Hubert"
"He could be equally as narrow rs
a banker and the close Of your story
would be much more dignifed. and,
besides, you could bring in more Of
a social element, Elsie. Don't you
see? II is mighty hard for produce
man-really a truck gardener-to work
into society, and as banker you could
add a lot Of atmosphere you cannot
otherwise"
"YOu don't see my point, Hubert II
Is Just because he Is a produce man
that Marion revolts-thlnks It is inter-
ferlng with her chlldren's opportunl-
ties, her own dislike for the business,
and thinks he could do something
more elevating. The society element
did not enter In, although might try
II out, dear, and have some wealthy
woman reported In love with Henry,
which would bring his wife to her
senses, help her to appreciate his true
worth. Maybe he should have been
a banker and It is the small town
against which she revolts."
"Atta girl, mother; ring In some
scandal or your story will be bIooey."
advised her son. "And you have made
the son a dubi Instead Of having him
70 TO work In his fathers market, send
him to college-ring In a frat and
some football, and he can't bring the
rich fellows home because his mother
thinks their small-town life might