The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-07-19

] their good, kind mistress. Apart from
, Il all the rest stood one little cabin alone
Around its doorway was twined the vii,
eglantine, and its whole appearance be
tokened comfort and happiness. Her
lived old Berthe and her husband. Sh,
f had been nurse to Mrs. Summers wher
an infant, and had also nursed Adele
the child Of her old age, as she calle,
her. Eglantine Nook was indeed :
lovely place. The spacious two-story
T cottage was covered with the fragrant
sweet briar, and made the air redoIent
with perfume. It was built in the tru,
Southern style, with everything around
it betokening ease and comfort. 1t wa.
just twilight when our travellers
alighted. The warm autumn sun was
just setting, tinting everything with g
rich golden hue. The place seemed
like some fairy spot, as the suns last
rays glimmered through the trees, and
Sonora thought, as she glanced around
that it even eXcelled her own lovely
home at Bridgeport.
The negroes, many of them, were as
sembled upon the green lawn at the
back of the house. Two or three were
playing the banjo and tambourine,
while the rest were indulging i'm their
favOrite amusement, a dance at sunset.
Old Berthe WAS the first one to come and
welcome them home. Arrayed in a
neat white apron and turban to match,
she seemed the very personilication of
good humor.
"Why, de Lord bress YOU, am you
back so soon?' said she, as she took the
various packages and small baskets from
our lady friends. "Nuthin' serus hap
pened / hope, has dere, dear Nissus?"
"Oh, no, nothing of that kind, BERTHE,
but something very agreeable" replied
Adele. 1--WE have brought three young
friends to spend few weeks with us"
as dat gentleman one?" she asked,
looking at Harry, who was talking with
Mrs. Summers.
"Yes; and that smallest lady is his
sister, and the other her friend-Mr
Hewitt, Miss Hewitt and Miss Ievere."
"All right, Missy. Young Massa
would make a fine overseer for dis
place" Then she added playfully,
Miss Dell must not be 'fronted at Ole
BERTHE"
ooh, never fear, Bertie. know you
too WELL" answered Dell, a name by
which she was always called.
"Well, will hurry long am see dat
supper am ready, for 1 know you must
be hungry. BERTHE will make some
corn bread. Dat will make young Massa
stare" and she ran into the house to
deposit her bundles Hastily throwing
open the windows and drawing forth
the easy chair for her old mistress, she
soon gave the room an appearance of
cheerfulness and comfort. Then, throw
ing open the front door for them to en-
ter, she descended to the kitchen to su-
perintend preparations for an excellent
supper.
"Gou have a perfect paradise herer'
exclaimed Blanche and Sonora in a
breath, as they looked from the back
windows and saw the negroes dancing.
"How happy the slaves appear to ber'
said Sonora. l always had an idea they
were kept in perfect bondage"
''Quite the contrary with us" replied
Mrs. Summers, laughing, "forthey have
perfect liberty to do as they wish, pro-
viding it is reasonable, and we do all i'm
our power to make them happy"
"Come, Dell, ring for Maria to show
the young ladies their apartments, and
l will wait upon Harry, for such must
call YOU" turning TO him. ~ intend
giving you the best room in the house,
as you are the only gentleman here at
present, and shall therefore feel our
selves highly honored by your pres
ence."
''Thank you, dear Madam, I fully ap-
preciate the compliment" replied Har-
Ty, as he followed his hostess to his
room, when, seeing that everything
was arranged for his comfort, Mrs.
Summers retired to her own room to
rest until supper was announced.
] The next morning Sonora and Blanche
were awakened at sunrise by the low
voice Of Dell at the door, asking them If
they would like to take walk before
breakfast, as it was her usual custom,
Both girls were very glad OF an oppor.
tunity, and, hastily dressing them
selves, the three were soon on their way
to the cabin of Old BERTHE. Crossino
the lawn, whom should they see but
Harry, walking along slowly and look.
ing about as if he would drink in every
object
''Why, Mr.. Hewitt, are you up befor,
US? / thought 1 was first to scan tho
morning beauties. / have alway:
arisen at sunrise from my earliest
childhood" said Dell.
(Which accounts for your blooming
complexion" answered Harry.
."Thank you for your discernment,' p
laughingly answered Dell, and the
cheeks, already crimson, were dyed 4
shade deeper; "but 1 think my two
friends here can boast of complexion
full as rosy" continued she.
''Oh, well, you must remember that
we are rustic bellies as well as yourself, -
replied Sonora, laughing.
VERY rustic" said Harry. 'Three
months in the country each year-eh,