The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-01-10
IFor the New Northwest
HOW I WAS CONVERTED.
BY CLARENCE vFRNnN.

been riding all day, visiting my numer
Gus patients, it being a season whe
scarlet fever held dread sway. Tired
cold and hungry, most welcome was th
coy room, blazing fire and well sprea
table at which sat together with m
wife and Miss Elder, the village school
mistress.
''Far be it from me-" remarked, a
my wife poured out my second cup c
tea; "far be it from me to desire or Ell
courage any change in the present orde
of things-especially one which woul'
take the main-spring from our homes Il
apply it 10 the running Of politica
machinery"
"Why, Harry" said my wife, open
ing her brown eyes in remarkably we'll
feigned astonishment, "who wants to dc
that?"
"Those gentlemanly old ladies, Mad
anne Innocence" I replied, "whO were
trying to convince the community, few
weeks ago, that voting is the one thing
needful for woman's peace and pros
perity."
perhaps it is, remarked Miss Elder,
very quietly; "that and what it would
bring with it."
Neglect Of duties nearer home, for
instance? ~ inquired.
'Ihat is just it, Harry" my wife ex-
claimed, with a mischievous twinkle in
her eyes. 'If I thought that voting
would have the disastrous effect on me
that it has on you, for example, Pm
sureI never should want to see the polls.
The time you have squandered in run
ming about for Office, and the duties
you've neglected while casting your
ballot, would crush me to the earth, l
am certain.n
'That is almost too bad" said Miss
f., smiling, "for just as DIR. Barton was
entering the store to deposit his ballot
this morning, I went into the post
Office, just across the street, and by the
time 1 had mailed my letter and come
ont, he was driving Off at full speed"
"Electioneering, 1 supposed ejacu.
lated my wife, in mock despair. ''ThC
main-springOf home applied to the run
ming Of political machinery! I shaI
petition Congress, or the Legislature, o
something, such domestic little crea
ture can't be expected to know what
to have my husbands name strickel
from the list; for none but a lunati,
would waste time at such a rate wheI
time is money, and money is needed t.
get the curriers' and crimpers for which
his better half has long been pining.'
II never knew you wanted or needed
them, " Ireplied, looking at her smooth
ly-brushed hair with something of the
feeling with which we say goodbye to
an old friend.
"Oh, ! haven't said anything about
it," she answered with a martyr-Iike
little air; "but have determined to try,
in my feeble way, to do my highest duty
and make myself attractive. 1 have
been reading DR.. Holland, and feel an
inspiration to make myself "a thing of
beauty forever, that may always be a
JOY that shall keep my husband from
the haunts Of vice. I have often felt
the power Of a great temptation to bid
farewell to home and honor when I have
seenmy companion sit him down before
changing his soiled clothes or smooth
ing his towsled locks, with only the
trifing plea Of bodily fatigue. Ihave
ionged to HE me away to the village
BAR, there to drown my troubles in the
moving bowl. / have sighed while
contemplating the smoothly-plastered
halr-parted so beautifully before and
Dehind-of neatly, Acknowledgement
clerks and BARRIERS, as 1 wended NV wav
through the city. / have went while
rejecting that my husband was not co
young as they. I have been oblioad to
struggle in order to subdue tho a,,et;1r,o
which would lead me to forget INV
promises TO love and honor the soilod
and tangled one. All this with a.,
humility I owni But that these mn
worthy inclinations, which l had sun-
posed We're confined to the weaker sex
have strength to assail and conauer the
mighty law-maker, giver and disposer
burst through my benumbed perceptions
like the last tramp of the day of doom.
However, it must be so. Have we il
not from one who knows? They are
foolish women who dream of taking
more upon their hands than is already
there, viz: keeping themselves in order,
Their homes in order, and their fathers,
DioIhersi husbands and sons in order.u
Reply to all of which will be made
'liiS evening" I answered, laughing. as
we rose from the table, for our dit
erary Society met on Tuesday evenings
ana the question for debate was uCbo1I
women Vote. :" had been apnointed
to take the negative side. ana 80" go
slight concern, as this was the first stis ~ 10
lie discussion Of the question. and p, puT
might depend on to-night,s doo;-''' i--Iou
There had been a restless dissatisfaa..oii .'9.oii
among the women, which eonsidoros
q rapidly growing evil, though a..
tered myself that the poisonous W. 80.
was about TO be nipped in the bud A.
the ladies left the room to prepara ~,
the evening, 1 betook myself TO the
library for last perusal of the subject