The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-04-12


Peter Dowd has come into the family"
said Ziek. "Bless my stars if don't
hope you'll prove less lazy than your
relative that bore the name. I can't
say that like the looks of you at ALL"
"And, pOn my honor, ! can conseien-
tiously return the compliment" was
the ready answer, that brought up rip
pies of smiles to the sad face of Ellen.
'If you're as lazy as the other Dowd
your wife won't tread on roses. Nobody
can say but my family was always well
provided for. Why, man, when Ellen
yonder was left a wee mite of baby,
and five more of 'em mighty nigh ba-
bies, I, Ziek Hamilton, raised the blessed
lot of 'em. Then, when the oldest was
fourteen, married her. 1t was a bless
in for the children when their father
died. The old woman makes a pooty
good wife for me, but she had a pesky
unruly spell of it when she was about
twenty years old. Break your wife in
early, Peter; break her in. Women are
like horses-need to be taught their
place. But do hope you'll be a good
provider, though there's not much rea-
son to hope, considerin' your name. 1
say, Ellen, what's become of old Darcy
and his grand, highfalutin' airs? Well,
is he? What bombastic"-
"He was well when 1 saw him last.
But oh, Ziek, let me go home to Sarah,"
said Ellen, interrupting him.
'Better ask your husbands permis-
sion. 1 lay no claim on any mans WIFE"
was the rough reply.
'tPeter, let's 60" and tho pain in the
poor child's temples grew more and
more severe.
"Better say, Peter, 1oiH you go?'
That would sound more respectful, FL
len. Never let her get the start o. you,
Peter, my boy" and Ziek Hamilton
thus ratified on with his silly twaddle,
till Ellen groaned in nervous agony.
Finally even Ziek's garrulous propen-
sities seemed sated, and sauntering out
after his team, Ellen and her husband
were left alone.
'Is that a specimen of my wife's rela-
tions?" asked Peter, sternly, eyeing her
as though he were the personification of
injured innocence.
"He became my brother-in-law just
as you became my husband, sir. He
took advantage of my sisters unprotect-
ed situation and made her believe she
owed to him the allegiance of wifehood.
You took advantage of my perilOus po-
sition in my grandfather's house and
compelled me to marry you to escape it.
1 believe now that but jumped from
the frying pan into the fire"
"You solemnly promised to love,
honor and obey me, Ellen. have been
too lenient with you, or you would not
dare to throw such taunts into my face.
1 shall see that you fulfill your vows
hereafter"
''And 1 declare, Peter Dowd, that l
despise you! 1 swear that defy you!
Now do your best and worstr and FL
len, forgetting for the moment her Sc
we're indisposition, began pacing the
room excitedly.
Evidently Peter Dowd had caught a
Tartar. He did not look for such a
demonstration. He really loved his
wife, was solicitous about her health
and anxious that she should cherish af-
feetion for himself. This manifestation
of defiance grieved, angered and as
founded him.
Ellen took few turns through the
room and then fell back, sobbing hys-
tericalIy, in the chair.
Ziek Hamilton drove up with his OK
wagon, and halting in front of the inn,
came to the door, with his large OK goad
in his hand, and announced that all was
ready.
''Whewr' he calculated, giving his
shaggy locks the usual blast, "in tears,
eh, Ellen? Women are such confounded
foolsl But be patient, Peter Dowd.
Only be industrious and make a good
provider, holdin' a tight rein over her
and she'll get as tame after while as g
pet kitten. The old woman went through
all them antics, but she's all right now
though 1 must own I'd be glad to SCI
e her able to work like she used to. Com,
, on, let's be of. Won't she be astonished
. thought"
4 Embarking in the great old-fashione,
wagon, the three proceeded on thei
way to the home of the brother-in-law
The news of Ellen Dowd's marriag
4 and return had spread like wild-fir,
/ and the curious villagers and farmer
4 paused in their work to gaze and wor
p der as they passed. Ellen took no not
. of them, and seemed oblivious even {
y olden memories until they neared th
Q home of Jacob and Betsey Graham
e when she involuntarily gazed throug
her binding tears into the commodiou
hewed log cabin, now black with ag
< but slightly in its tasty covering of ruI
t ming roses, with which Aunt Betsey
e guardianship had clothed it as fit bow'
l. for fairies. The good old lady sat in Il
S doorway, straining her dim eyes to g
: a view of Ellen and her husband
"WhoaP' yelled Ziek, in voice thu
d seemed to Ellen as though it would spl
e her head.
v Uncle Jacob paused from his work
er the garden and leaned upon the hand
of his rake, as if stupefied with astol