LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1942, 15 May 1880, Page 3

LITERATURE.

MY WIRE’S MOTHER. ( Concluded .) Chapter 111. As day after day wore on I became more and more infatuated with the adorable Mary, and one evening, when we were out for a walk, I whispered words of love into her ear. Instead of responding, as I fondly hoped, she began to speak of her family. Her father had been a captain in a foot regiment, of respectable family, but little means, who dying, left them a pittance and a house of furniture, which Mrs Graham determined to utilize by letting lodgings. By this means, and with the assistance of her son, who was clerk in a bank, they contrived to live in comparative comfort. I was sufficiently raised above her to be a little proud of the fact. My father was a clergyman, and the younger scion of a noble house, I told my story with pardonable pride. Perhaps I enlarged too much on my noble relations, for, with a slight sigh, Mary complained of fatigue, and we went home. One little month, and the words had been spoken. I had avowed my love, and found her affections mine, and with the c-nsect of all the high contracting parties, our union was to take place at the end of six months of probation. I remained a lodger, or rather, from that day a boarder in the house. I believe few women would have stood the te;t, but my Mary did. She was always the same gentle, kind, merry, fascinating thing, never thinking of herself, but always of others; a devoted daughter, an admirable sister, and a kind though somewhat wayward mistress. I became more and more fascinated every day of my life. My future mother-in-law was admirable. No one could have been made more of than I was. An arm-chair by the fire, warm slippers, my favorite Joints on Sunday—nothing could be too good for me. Mary, though still assisting her mother, became more like what tho wife of a future barrister-at-law should be; and I am of opinion that if we oftener looked te what fortune might make of us, the better it would be for ns.

She devoted several hours a day to improve herself. I selected books for her and guided her studies, and, naturally enough found her an apt scholar. At last my holiday came. It was to last three weeks, and I selected the opportunity to get married. I will not describe the ceremony. It is so much an every-day affair that it needs no elaborate notice. To me it was the acme of human happiness. But I have other things to tell.

We were married, and the honeymoon was spent at a retired watering place, where our personal Joy was lost to view in the general enjoyment. We knew nobody, but we were all in all unto ourselves ; and when, at the expiration of my leave of absence we returned to Islington, a mote loving or affectionate couple did not exist. Chapter IV. Let my surprise, my indignation, bo con ceived when, on arriving at home. I found my books and papers in the front parlor, and discovered that our dormitory was on the same floor. The drawing-room was let to a clerk in the Bank of England. I was utteily overwhelmed. I hate parlors, and have a weakness for drawing rooms. I turned to Mary and said we had better leave at once.

‘Oh, Charles,’ she said, with a tear glistening in her eye, * the very first day we come homo! It would look so unkind, and make mamma so unhappy.’ ‘ £ our mamma does not mind making us very uncomfortable,’ I replied. ‘ Uncomfortable !’ cried the voice of the charmer ; ‘ why, it’s the nicest, cosiest little parlor in the woild. Come, sit down, that’s a dear, and let us have some tea.’ I yielded. It is the fate of mm. A proper amount of respect to one’s wife’s opinions and wishes is the duty of a husband, but a little firmness is also very de arable. I saw clearly tho coming disadvantages of the new arrangement, but I also saw that Mary was distressed—in fact, I had only been married three weeks.

Mrs Graham, probably guessing what would be my feelings, had prudently kept out of the way until the matter was settled, but now she came in as bland and smiling as over to Join our party. Now, I did not liae Mrs Graham —not at all—but I wished for a pleasant tete-a-tete with my wife. I saw at once that my visions of domestic bliss were over. The moment the drawing-room was let, I was bound to make this a common sitting-room. I could not leave my mother in-law in the kitchen. She was very kind, too kind I may say. She it was first suggested that my wife should be purse bearer. Now, up to that moment there had been no question of money between us, Mary had whatever ahe required. What remained I generally at the end of tbs week expended in books, But now I had surrendered my dignity. My purchases were canvassed, and knowing my worthy mother-in-law’s idiosyncrasy, I rarely ventured on tho only luxury in which I over desired to indulge. Besides I had little opportunity to study. I was out all day, and when I returned, not only was it a family party—wife, mother, and son—but neighbors would drop in. My reading hours were after supper. It was eleven o’clock, and I was wrapped in Blackatone. Tho smoke of my pipe gracefully curled round my head. All was still, when a hand was laid across my eyes. * Eleven o’clock, Charley. ’ ‘ But my dear Mary, I haven’t read a lino these four days. I really must study some time or other.

* But mamma says it’s so bad for the eyes, and smoking is worse. She’s made mo promise not "to let you read or smoke after eleven,’ said my wife in her moat seductive tones.

I was about to say something harsh about her mother, when I felt the pressure of her soft arms about my neck, and a kiss was im printed on my lips. I had been leas than a man had I not yielded. It was a fatal defeat. From that hour my mother-in-law was master of the house. I ceased to be consulted. My wife acted In all things without consulting me. I was a cipher' I will not harass my readers with minute details, but I will say briefly that ere six months had elapsed I had descended into one of the meekest, most placid and pliant of ssns-in-law.

My wife—let mo do her justice—was the same, dear, kind, affectionate little soal as ever. She loved me truly, and sought to make me happy. Bat example is contagions. She saw me treated as nobody and the contagion spread. She would ask in her friends to tea, without explanation or warning ; but if I unfortunately proposed the introduction of an acquaintance, I had to hold a counoil of war, in which my vrice was heard very humbly indeed, and the high contracting parties decided without asking for my vote. Now I will not be harsh on mothers-in-law, I believe this state of things to be natural. A mother has been used all her life to control the actions of her daughter her hild

marries, and she parts ■with her authority with great difficulty. She cannot bear to see her power over her child pass into the hands of a stranger, and hencs her constant endeavors to acquire the mastership over him. Yes ; but, unhappy mortal, why live with your mother-in-law? Chapter Y. I had met Jack Johnson in the morning. A finer fellow never breathed. I had wildly asked him to dine with me on the following Sunday, and had just intimated as much to my wife and mother-in-law. My wife looked down upon the_ ground. She liked Jack Johnson, and wished to sea me enjoy the society of my friends ; but Mrs Graham had dilated so much on extravagance, expensive habits, and my fatal fondness for society, that she knew not what to say. ‘ I believe,’ said Mrs Graham, with a slight cough, 1 we had company last Sunday. This constant racketing is scarcely suited to people in our station.’

A friend of my wife’s had certainly dropped in to tea and supper, and I had seen her home.

‘ True, madam, racketing might be unwise on our part, but the presence of one friend, now and then, at my—our dinner-table can scarcely be judged so severely.’ I was leaning my elbow on the end of the sofa and looking at them with half-closed eyes.

‘ As you please, you are the best judge; but I think it would be wiser to put off the gentleman until you can better afford it,’ began Mrs Graham. • But, mother, dear. Jack Johnson is Charley's best friend—ls so useful to him—so kind—and I am quite sure the little he eats and drinks can make no difference.'

‘ My dear girl,’ began my mother-in-law. What followed I did not hear, for she steeped forward to listen to something. I laid my head on the sofa and looked dreamily at them, and was fast falling off to sleep, when [my attention was indignantly arrested by an observation from my mother-in-law.

_ 4 My darling child ; what you say is very nice and proper, but as I soon found, after I married your departed father, it is always wrong to give way to a husband. Charley is a very good fellow, but wants managing. If once you will allow him an act of independence, he will become your master,’ I sprang to my feet, seized my hat, and rushed frantically into the open air. Ido believe I was mad. This last Insult had worked me np into a state of absolute frenzy. I could have slain them both.

It was strange how quickly everything passed me—shops, vehicles, passengers, appeared to fly, I minded them not ; but despised cries and even curses, where I hustled people and turned them from their path, onward I went until I reached the country. Instead of cooling me, the air of the fields and meadows added to my fever, and at last, perceiving before me a cool, shady pond, I plunged headlong in. Wild were my sensations. Lights by myriads passed before my eyes—visions of beauty came and went in a second, and then all was still. I knew nothing. When I recovered my senses I was alone beside the pond ; all was darkness. I felt cold and miserable. I would have given anything to be at home by my fireside. I turned toward Islington with a chill foreboding at my heart; I was quite humbled now. But how should I be received? My reflections were none of the most pleasant, I must confess it, I wished Jack Johnson anywhere but where he would like to have been.

But wishes were useless. I must go home. I hurried back as quickly as possible. The shops were still open, but no one noticed me now. I returned quicker than I came, and yet not one passenger complained of my rudeness.

I reached my home. The door, as usual, was on the latch, and I entered the passage. All was still save in the parlor, where I heard the sobbing of the wife. I was about to rush in and console her, when my attention was drawn to Mrs Graham.

‘ It’s very sudden and very sad, my dear; such a fine young man, too. Bat we must resign ourselves. Your poor dear father died very suddenly. Certainly his death was suspicious, but he might have fallen in by accident.’ Of whom could they be speaking ? ‘ Oh, mother ? mother I it was I that killed him. I should have yielded at once on that fatal evening, when he wanted to bring home Jack Johnson. I shouldn't then be a miserable and disconsolate widow.’

A widow 1 who then, was I ? I felt a cold chill ran through every vein. * Charley was certainly an amiable young young man, ’ said Mrs Graham ; ‘ but hia weakness of character did not forbode any great success in life. He would never have risen above a lawyer’s clerk,’ ‘Oh ! my poor Charles ! To think that a week ago he sat there where you sit! I shall never get over it, mother.’ ‘ My dear, it is jour duty to care for yourself. When the first grief is over you will think better of it, and should some other young man equally amiable, but more suited, present himself, I am sura that yon will not allow the memory of the departed— 1 I could stand it no longer. I sprang forward and awoke with a start.

‘What is the matter?’ said Mary, gently. ‘ Only a very unpleasant dream,’ I said, dryly, and I sat still a few minutes. My dream, absurd, incoherent and ludicrous as it was, had opened my eyes. I was determined to assert my dignity as a man, and once for all assume my right position in my house. ‘ My dear.’ I said placidly, ‘while I have been asleep have you settled about Sunday’s dinner ?’

‘ No, dear—why ?’ ‘Because, you know. Jack Johnson is coming to dine with me,’ My wife looked surprised ; my mother-in-law started.

‘ 1 thought, ’ began Mary. ‘ The matter was quite settled that it was to be put off,’said Mrs Graham. ‘My dear Mary,’ I replied, still quietly and blandly, ‘I have asked my friend Jack Johnson to dine with me, and I certainly shall not put him off. If, however, it gives your mother so much trouble, why I can adjourn the affair till Sunday week ; by that time you can find fresh apartments. ‘ Fresh apartments 1’ gasped Mrs Graham. ' Leave mamma V said Mary. * Yes, my love, rather than put her to inconvenience. Besides, lam determined to have a drawing room. The floor upstairs was my delight, and I cannot live in a parlor any longer. I had intended to delay the matter until spring ; but as your mamma is really unable to accommodate us, we might contrive to go to-morrow, and then, you know. Jack Johnson can dine with us on Sunday.’ Mrs Graham looked at me. There was a calm determination about my look which appalled her. * But, Charley, love— ’ ‘Mary,’ I whispered, as she came coaxingly to my side, loud enough to be heard, ‘lam ia earnest. Do not let us have any quarrel over it. ’ ‘ I won’t quarrel a bit,’ said the coaxing little fairy, ‘ only if Jack Johnson does come to dinner— ’ ‘ Not to inconvenience anybody, ’ I said maliciously. ‘ And mamma makes everything nice and comfortable—’ ‘ But—’ ‘ And next Monday gives the drawingroom people notice.’ * Mary,’ began Mrs Graham. ‘ Mamma,’ said Mary, firmly, ‘it must be as my husband wishes. I am sure, to please me, ho will remain until we take a house of his own. But he must have the drawingroom floor, which shall be his castle, and he shall have whomsoever he pleases to dinner.’ Mrs Graham looked at her keenly, a tear stood In her eye. I turned away. I was fast melting. ‘ My children, It shall be as you please. Yon shall have the drawing-room to yourselves, and Jack Johnson shall dine every day, so you don’t take away my darling girl. You forgive me, Mr Elton.’ I held out my hand and all was settled. We went next week into our own apartments, and from that hour were as happy as the day was long. We remained there, too, until an increasing family rendered a whole house necessary. We moved, but not far, and then it was that in my wife’s days of trial, during the sickness of our children, when professional avocations forced mo away that I learned to appreciate the sterling good qualities of my mother-in-law, A kinder and better friend to us we never found, but in no moment of weakness did I ever again think of living in the same house with my wife’s mother.