The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-11-10
VOLUME L.
Lhe house and ran nimbly over the

ANiSAAANi. oeiu Nnt Dotlol.
81 wish them joy of itp' 1 answered,
Indignantly, yet knew that a social
storm was brewing, and l knew full
well that should get the worst of it.
IA note from Mrs. Lewis, and she says
Pm to wait for an answer" said bright
little colOred boy who had been a great
favorite with me at the Doctors resi-
dence. He looked significantly at DIR.
Armstrong and eyed me impudently.
The note ran thus: "Mrs. John Smith,
once my friend, but now my bitter enc
my, 1 accuse you of bringing devasta-
tion into my fathers household. My
mother has become the victim of a man
whom but for you l know she never
would have met. My father is your alb
ject slave, and even now know that he
is finding solace for his great dishonor
in your captivating company. loathe
detest, scorn you! What have you to say
in reply?n
say ''Go to thunder!r l wrote in PEN
ell marks at the bottom of the sheet and
handed it to the boy.
as that all, ma'am ?''
''Yes, my child. I'll send no verbal
message. Carry this letter back to Mrs
Lewis and present it with my compli-
ments," and waved him from my pres
ence and closed the door.
'Has my daughter written badly of
me?" asked the poor father, timidly.
"Of course not, sir! Who ever knew
an unjust accusation to rest upon man ?
If you were a eooman you'd get Hail Co
lumbiap and laughed n grating, bit
ter laugh, such as l have heard from
maniacs.
Across the lawn / saw my children
slowly walking home to lunch. had
not until that moment thought of max
ing preparation for their noon repast
Excusing myself, hurried to the kitch-
en-, lit the fire and made everything
cheerful and bright
whats old Armstrong doing here
want to known said dear, impetuous
Ben. 'AIother," he continued, "that
old scalawag has got to leave this house,
or I Will You've become the common
by-word of the city scandal-mongers."
"Does my son believe his mother
guilyg"
"Why, bless you mother, no. but the
people do, and they insult me every
where! We won't bear it! You may
just as well make up your mind to go
back to Oregon, for we are determined
that we shan't live herep
''My children, you have all reached
years of discretion. Your sense of honor
is keen, your appreciation of justice
excellent. Your mother has through
all her womanhood borne in her soul 9
bitter secret. 1t now is meet that you
should know ALL Eat yonr lunch and
then come to the parlor. DR.. Arm
strong will wait till you are ready. In
his presence I want to unfold a page Of
my past history, that you, my hope, my
joy, my pride, may understand some
thing Of your mothers trials"
"WOn't you eat your lunch with us
mother?"
1t was blue-eyed Minnie who spoke
and her sweet voice brought up in m!
sad soul dear, long-hidden melody.
~ have no need of food, my dears.
leave you to enjoy your lunch, while
90 back and tell the Doctor that you ar
coming to the parlor to learn the truth.
''Dr Armstrong" said emphatieally
''every page of my past life must be rea
up before my children. So help me God
will not bear false accusation in thei
eyes. The world may judge my acts a
best it pleases, but at home there shal
be perfect understanding. If you ha
only been strong enough to unfold a
your troubles to your wife and daughte
all might have been well with you; bu
, YOU have been a moral coward and yo
must reap the bitter consequences"
r ''Can you face your children with tn
D whole, untarnished TRUTH"
, ''Of course cam What have / don
S that 1 should quail before them ?''
;, swell, have your way; but you do nc
d know very much to tell"
: "We shall seer'
n I'VE have come" said master Bel
IS ito hear our mothers story.u
'My children, many years ago, whe
ID 1 was a nervous, morbid child, living
e, poverty and toll, without appreciate,
m friends, without books or toys or anv
te the luXuries that have become indispel
1 sable to you, DR.. Armstrong found n
ne at my fathers house and, taking a kin
is interest in me, he used his influence
nd place me in school and gave me 70,
~ and lodging ia his house. He was in e
IN cry honorable sense my friend and be
efactor.
", ''When l grew TO womanhood.
Up learned to love a man whose sister /
ed Armstrong had previously wronged.n
d. sJudith Reid what are you talki
he about? ?p said the Doctor, and his shag
ne face bespoke an inward terror.
on ssDo not interrupt me, sir" l said.
ed s'Unwisely, listened to the voice
he my idol, eloped with him and was M
ried."
ell "Mother, yoW-DldTTiedF ~
lid ayes, children, 1 was married, a
M while yet the burning words Of deep
Did love remained unspoken on my tong
iy, my husband, to raise some funds by
her foolish wager which he had made to
al vor Dr A rn,sfronoris aou set me do