Ma's Apron Strings

When her son Ernie, had reached the age of 21, Ma Smith could not realize that he had attained his manhood or had any right to think for himself. He was their only child and the apple of her eye. She had kept him so entirely under her care and attention that he has almost lost the power of thinking for himself. In fact she has never given him that privilege. He is tied so tightly to her apron strings, the poor fellow can hardly get away from her. She will not let him stay out after eight o'clock at night, always takes him to prayer meeting and church festivals, and even then is afraid some girl may steal him. Molly, the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bush comes to live with them and Ernie meets her at her grandfather's store where they become acquainted. This is the beginning of his breaking away from Ma's apron strings. He has a rival, but Molly rather favors Ernie, and one evening, accepts his escort home from prayer meeting, leaving his rival very much dejected. Ma Smith, when she is ready to leave the meeting house for home, looks for her boy. She cannot find him and becomes alarmed. Hastening home and not finding him there, she arouses an alarm and starts out with a searching party. Pretty nigh on to midnight, she decides to inquire at the Bush's, if they have seen anything of Ernie. Here she learns that he has been spending the evening with Molly. Going into the parlor with Mrs. Bush, Ma and Pa Smith behold Ernie embracing Molly and making love to her. Ma begins to wail when she thinks of her boy being under the influence of anybody else but herself. Pa is delighted and says, "By Heck, I am glad to see him acting like a man." Stepping forward, Mrs. Bush looking on smilingly, blesses the two youngsters and rejoices in the awakening of his son's independence.