The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-08-09

Liz"
"What are you up to, Liz" And
Dick Sanders, the tin peddler stalked
into the large, well ordered country
kitchen, and, with only this salutation,
drew Off his gray yarn mittens, and pro-
ceeded to warm his almost benumbed
fingers by the roaring fire that sputtered
and cracked under LIS large boiler OF
clothes.
"I am up TO my eyes in the wash
tub" replied the individual addressed,
not over politely.
'Thats what I was thinkin'," said
he. ''The boiler holds out good, don't
it now? The last time it sot TO leakin',
/ thought il was all day with the patri-
arch-buttered ef 1 didn't, No wonder
that folks blow on my ware"
~ was tellin' Miss Avery tOther day"
interrupted Liz, ''that when she needed
any more tin things / hoped she'd send
TO town after lem Your stuff has lis
tened 10 your CAB and brag 50 long, that
somehow it's got bad edication. Now
them pans never behaved like the pans
Tim Bucklin used to bring around.
They're always bending and springing
a leak. To speak a little palmer, I'm
always afraid to trust 'em, especially
when its unusually important that they
should hold i'm
"What in natur' are you drivin' at,
Liz?n inquired poor Dick, a genuine
look OF wonder overspreading his face.
But before his companion could have
time 10 reply, the door of the sitting-room
softly opened, and a young lady, appar-
emily very deep in thought and very
much troubled in spirit, for her eyes
were red and heavy with weeping, ap-
peared on the threshold.
"What is it, Flory >" said Liz, scoop
ing the white suds from her strong, red
arms, and with such n little thrill OF
tenderness in her voice, that the peddlel
involuntarily TUNED to see what il
could mean, and then, remembering hi
manners, said hastily:
'Good-morning, Miss Avery; hop
you're we'll"
The young lady gave a slight start O
surprise, and then recovering hersel
said, with considerable annoyance i
her tone:
'Tm quite well, thank YOU, Dick.
thought you We're alone, Liz and in
mediately left the kitchen.
"NOw, what's the matter with her ?
inquired the tin merchant. ''Golly
amt she been bawling, though? l te
you what It's, Liz, if 4 fellow wants I
KNOW Tic -EtltLH Nl lAAllEAtt~s All llt llE
got 10 do is to turn peddler.n
"And lie," added Liz, punching I'll
clothes i'm the boiler with such force
as to send the scalding suds in Dick
immediate neighborhOOd, causing sal
gentleman to change his quarters witt
out loss OF time.
"Say, now, what is it that ails the ca
Liz? won't say a word about it to any
body. II do, shoot me.n
"HOw long did YOU say you'd bee
travelling round this country >" aske
Liz, with a comical twinkle of her con
ical eye.
"Nigh about twelve years. Why
"Because it seems to me pretty ne:
time that you should a learnt that win
men folks is wimmen folks; and whe
you'll find me n woman that don't ha'
her crying spells, I'll find you a tin pc
dfer that minds his own business
"Thank We, marm,n replied Die
dryly. "Have queer sort of an ide
somehow, that last remark was intend
for me. All day, Liz. Hope the ne
time I'm round you'll be better u
tured.n
Not a word answered Liz. The pc
dler jumped into his cart and dro
away; and in and out of the suds we
those stalwart arms, the muscular Al
hAAEAAlAlN AWA III 4ANNlAAA6 AAAAAN " q
quick and defiant music Of the rubbil
board.
'Oh, he's gone. I am so gladr Al
now the graceful figure came softly o
again and crept close to the side of Il
busy woman.
81 want you TO read my letter, Liz
the one l have Just written him"
"Well, who's him2 There are two
'em, you know replied Liz quietl
and with great self-possession.
"Ges, Liz and now the beautif
brown eyes again OveriiOwed, and q
sObbing child drew still nearer A. 81
whispered:
"But there is only one l could wri
TO, of course, even if / knew where ]
was" with an accent on the person
prOnOun that told its own story.
''Then what you mean TO tell me
that you have just written letter
Hiram Scovillc 80
"Yes, Liz"
"Wal, 20 on
Don't look at me, Liz, while | rea
1t. / just said this. You know hO
iather and mother have been taking O
IaIely-callhg me undutifUl, and heaC
Suohg, and obstinate, and saying that
mean e;1 TO break their hearts,
,.Ss ~ Ihis In the letter?u queried Liz.
l-no,,. N'A ing tniS to YOU. lO
heao"s haoN deary, how hard nv life bs
since 7'A hiohths-well, eve
N, Yes, Flory, know all abort :,
comes in" oelore anybOd
,.,lIV. Dear I friend Hiram" came tror,,
"Hump" grunted Ii
"What else could / saw, col,
Flory, despairingly. "He i NV o,S'9 fr;p,. Po'
isn't he ?'' my lrieu
''That depends pretty mueb or 49,.
idea of a friend. Nv friend doni, - -
ment me. He saves me from s,,fTori. -
If be can; and If he can't, bears n ~;
me, carrying as much Of the burden
God will let him. No friend will az
ask q woman to marry him the seco
time after he has been once refused. =
"But, Liz"
1There are no butts in the case.n
i'Love makes men bold and sometin
reckless. You must think Of that"
love never does no such thing