Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 197, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1911 — Limit on Her Stay [ARTICLE]

Limit on Her Stay

Magistrate Says Ten Days Is Enough for Mother-in-Law. Would Be Far Better Appreciated If They Would Shorten Their Visits and Confine Themselves to Postal Cards. New York.—Magistrate McGuire, In the Flatbush court, fixed ten days as the limit for visits for mothers-ln-law. The case in point was that in which young Mrs. May Coyle had summoned her, mother-in-law, also Mrs. May Coyle, a resident of Boston, to court on a charge of disturbing her domestic peace and happiness. Harry Coyle, son of Jdrs. May Coyle of Boston, sat back in the rear of the court room and never opened his mouth. His pretty young wife did all the talking and painted her mother-in-law as a “kill joy** and a “czarina.** “She came 'down from Boston ten dayj ago,** said the younger Mrs. Coyle, “and took charge of everything. Every time I opened my mouth she squelched me. I didn't know bow to cook; I didn’t know how to wash the baby; I didn’t know how to do thia that or the other thing. She broke all our rules and make new ones; she told us how they did things In Boston, and that that was the only right way. Finally she turned my husband against me, and I had to take myself and my baby home to mother. I telephoned her to go home, but she refused.’’

Mother-In-Law Coyle said her daughter-in-law was exaggerating. "How long have you been here?” asked Magistrate McGuire. "Ten days,” replied Mrs. Coyle, Sr. "Ten dayg Is long enough for any mother-in-law to hold possession,” replied the court. “Ten days should be the limit for all mothers-in-law. While mothers-ln-law are more or less a necessary institution, it Is possible for them to become an evil through failure to use discretion. Mothers-in-law are constitutionally "bossy.* There are exceptions, I admit; but they are few. It seems to be their exquisite function to domineer and tread upon the feelings of their daughters-in-law. They seem to forget that they once were daughters-ln-law and had moth-ers-ln-law inflicted upon them. “Mothers-in-law would be far better appreciated if thejAvould shorten their visits and confine most of their intercourse with their sons and daughters* families to postal cards and note paper.” **l will use telegraph blanks hereafter," said Mrs. Coyle, Sr. "Good,” said the court, "and I would advise you to take the first train home to Boston if you have any regard for your son's future happiness.” "I will take the next and fastest train home,” said Mrs. Coyle, acidly. "I have a fine home in Boston, which is the finest city in the world. It is the home of culture and refinement" His honor bowed to Mrs. Coyle, Sr. Mrs. Coyle, Sr., Ignored the bow, swung around on her heel and aulckly marched out of the court 1