The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-08-18

mo, SIT.
1t was all / could say. When it was
raining John Smith couldn't very well |
build wood-shed, and when it was dry
weather we didn't need it; at least so
my lord and master argued, and so from !
year to year we did without this indis-
pensable convenience in all rainy sea-
sons.
care you a widow, ma'am?"
mo, sir" was the curt response; "and
now, as the classes for the afternoon are
not yet through with their recitations,
you will please make yourself comfort
able while / finish up my work"
Certainly, madam do not wish to
intrude," was the courteous rejoinder,
and 1 proceeded with my business.
One by one the classes were dismissed,
and l mechanically proceeded with my
work, casting frequent, furtive looks at
the strange visitor, feeling the while an
unaccountable presentiment that some
thing unusual would come of his visit.
Finally the last class was dismissed,
the last 'good-night' was lisped by little
prattlers, and l looked out in the mist
and watched the children, wondering to
myself if this state of struggling and
overwork could last much longer. Turn
ing wearily, encountered the earnest
gaze of my strange visitor, and recog-
nized my old friend and benefactOr, DIR.
Armstrong. The now red-hot stove, the
dusty benches and the muddy floor be-
gan to move in may circles, and would
have fallen PROSTATE had it not been tor
the strong arm of my friend, who caught
me ere 1 fell and ordered Minnie to
bring me water. Tenderly and sooth-
ingly he talked, calling me Judith in
the familiar manner of the olden time,
and stroking my now wrinkled brow
with his broad, warm hand. Soon l
was composed enough to talk.
"Ohl Doctor" said / helplessly,
"have you come to see me die?n
'pve come TO make you well, l trust"
he said, with tender tone and respect
iul utAtAthCti SuCh a. hiciii III All my
previous married life, had never before
addressed me.
''Where is your husband, Judith" was
his next question.
"Father's gone a-hunting as usual," +"
said sturdy little Ben. "But's it's no
difference; mother don't have to cook
for him if he amt at home, and don't
care if he stays six months"
"Hush, Bennie DEAR" was winsome
Minnie's caution, but the child would
have his say.
''Pll be big man after awhile, and
then I'll teach school and let mother tie
wet towel around her head and lie
down and rest"
Poor childl His highest ambition for
his mother was to see her constantly
enjoy the only recreation he had evel
seen her take-a recreation which would
indeed have often been a welcome
respite from my constant toll.
The doctor bore me in his arms tC
the sitting room, and placing me on the
lounge, commanded me to remain there
Then, with the aid of the children, hC
built fire in the huge fire place, anC
another in the kitchen stove, and in an
hour a hot meal was served, and wa.
called up by the children TO the frs
meal that had ever been prepared il
my house without my own help sine,
my marriage, if 1 was able to sit at the
table.
A mysterious understanding seemed
intuitively established between my
children and the doctor. was too Ian
guild to talk, and felt in no haste to asl
or answer questions.
Supper being over, was remandeS
back to the lounge, where lay in a sor
of dreamy semi-consciousness until my
guest had assisted the children to mill
the cows and prepare the next days fire
wood. This was work that, to do my
husband justice, he always did when a
home; but as he regularly went oil
hunting excursions, which kept hin
away from home for days i'm succession
during that time l was of course com
PEELED to do the numerous chores whicl
are so necessary upon a farm.
At an early hour the tired children
retired TO their beds, and l, refreshed 10y
the unwonted rest, arose from tn,
lounge, drew the old armchair thai
had been my fathers before the blazing
fire, and seating myself languidly
awaited further conversation.
"Judith," began the doctor, ''you're 4
quaint and curious woman; quite "a
quaint and curious as you were twenty
five or thirty years ago. Do you re-
member compensation I had with yOr
long ago, when you declared vehe.
mently that you wished. you were a
man?"
ooh, doctor, that was so long ago
1t seems to me that have lived long
enough to be one hundred years old
My way of life has been so dark anC
lonely If it were not for my children
I'd welcome death, I'm sure"
''Tut, tut, nonsense ~ was the quick
reply; but thought there were tears in
the gruff voice, and there was certainly
a beaming kindness in the shaggy eye,
of my dear old friend.
Judith. you have not told me on,