The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-07-04


to eOntinue in the path and grow worse
and worse seems a comparatively easy
task.
One day, after the twain had held a
long private consultation, this woman
prevailed upon Peter Dowd to seek an
Interview with Ellen at the residence of
Jacob Graham.
81 can't tell how I'll manage it,
though" he said, deprecatingly. 'Pve
tried a dozen times TO see her, and she
always locks me out"
"Pshaww was the contemptuous an
swer, 81 never saw a man yet that knew
how to manage anything. I'll dress up
little Bob and you may carry him over
to see her" Then pressing her hands
to her head, she said wildly, "Pd meet
hell itself to see my boyg'
"What did you say ?" asked Peter
Dowd.
''Nothing," was the nervous answer.
~ had boy once, but he's dead. Yes"
she continued, as she watched the de-
lighted child, as borne upon his fathers
shoulder through the deep snow they
sought the adjacent highway, "D1y
little boy is dead, dead, dead! Oh,
Ellen Dowd, another woman stole into
my home, and now 1 shall retaliate.
Her stupid husband thinks l am des-
perately in love with him. Pm in love
with his property, I'll admit, and if that
wife doesn't come TO her senses her
cakes dough, that's allE'
Little Bobby reached forth his fingers
for the dancing snow-fakes as they fit
ted by, and called aloud to winter robins
through an old brown veil that attract
ed frosty coat of respiration in the
sharp, crisp air.
Peter stalked onward with his head
down.
81 might have known it," he solilo-
quized. "Ellen never loved ME, and l
haven't been the best husband in the
world-that's a fact. 1 might have
built her house, and hired help, and
done many things 1 haven't done, but
after all that don't excuse her for leav-
ing my bed and board and taking up
but stop! ] shan't accuse her yetrr
Ellen was sitting before a roaring fire
Of maple logs engaged i'm knitting stock
ings for her children. Katie was read
ing aloud. and uncle Jacob Graham was
busy shelling corn, when Peter opened
the door unceremoniously and, entering
suddenly, seated the little one in its
mothers lap. Clasping the child to her
bosom, the mother kissed it tenderly
and asked in fearful accents for its twin
companion.
"Will you go home and do your duty
as a wife and mother, Ellen?r
The question was asked with stern Sc
verify, and in such n manner as no man
would dream of accosting woman not
his wife.
''Thaps a mighty poor way to win
her back, Peter" said Uncle Jacob, feel
ingly.
The husband lost all control Of both
temper and reason. He bitterly accused
the poor, weak wife of infidelity and Ja-
cob Graham of crime.
Ellen tainted from fright and surprise,
and her aged protector and friend,
reused to fury by the horrid accusation,
ordered him to leave the house.
Peter Dowd strobe out of the house
and making his way to the village
sought the residence of a magistrate
Three hours later, and a petition for di'
vorce was served upon the unhappy
woman for the high crime Of matrimo
nial infidelity.
The next issue of the county newspa
per contained the following advertise
ment:
"WHEREAs, my wife, Ellen Dowd
has been unfaithful to her marriage
VOWS and left my bed and board with
out cause or provocation from me,
hereby warn all persons not 10 harbo
her on my account, as / will pay M
debts of her contracting from and afte
this date.u
TO be continued.