The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-10-24
She was Equal to the Task.
By EFFrE WEBSTER

y
he has always been an ornament to soei-
ETY., an honor to himself and the "fiower
of the family" A still regard for verac-
ity-it answers my purpose upon the
present Occasion-forbids any such OBJ
seryatiOn upon my part. am obliged
to say this masculine specimen of our
ancient race was absolutely the tag-end
of our characters. Seemingly, he was
the recipient of what was left after fur
nishing the heads and hearts of all the
others. Whenever the grandames,
aunts or uncles desired to illustrate any
particular vice, John was held up as the
frightful example. Not that he was an
assassin, highwayman or politician.
He was simply a maelstrom of impul-
siveness, carelessness and generosity.
II il had not been for the good luck which
always followed him, he would have
made first-class vagabOnd. As it was
he made out to be a well-dressed, ham
some, "goOd fellow" That was the en-
tire truth-n0oodf fellOW." Beyond that
he could not be trusted, and only then
when ones eyes were upon him.
was sitting in my solitary parlor
one morning, in momentary expectation
of receiving an appeal from sister Jane
10 hasten to 'rhe Naples" as the twins
were down with measles; a summons
from aunt Hannah to bid her a last lin
gering farewell-lingering is the proper
word, as have been through the cere-
mOny seven times, and an invitation
from cousin Susan to run over and turn
her black silk. Besides that | had my
own sorrow. My Tabby had been ob-
liyiated for two days The evening be-
fore she disappeared she had refused the
nth saucer Of milk for her supper, and
appeared pensive. feared she had COM
lnltted suicide or wandered out into this
anfeeling world, because neighbor
Browns Tom had Tilted her for Mrs
Rey's green-eyed, black, ugly feline she
had the audacity to call Beauty"
Just as / was bitterly regretting that
had not taught Tabby from my own ex-
perience something of the fickleness of
the world in general and mankind in
particular, who should come laundering
in but John. OF course he upset chair,
overturned my work basket, knocked a
book off the table, stepped on my wealth
er-Oracle toe and tumbled into my best
chair with a crash. Then he reached
over TO the stand beside me, and taking
4 pin, began to draw figures upon my
rosewood writing-desk.
"GOOd morning, John,n l remarked.
"Say, Sabrina," he replied, jabbing at
his forehead with pin, 81 am TO be mar
ried next week.
i'You surprise me, John"
Doubtless, but it's a settled fact. /
have purchased that little cottage on
the hill yOnder; il is prepared for the
bride. Now | want you TO go over and
make the place hOme-like. Have jolly
supper ready next Thursday night when
We come. You can, Sabrina, you have
no husband"
'Johnrn cried, lit isn't for me to
say, might have had a dozen hus-
bands with touch Of pride.
"And all died Of a broken heart - he
laughed. "But will you go?''
Having survived I'm the companion
ship Of my own cOgnOmen until had
arrived at a respectable age, l was accus-
TONED 10 being convenience. / think
our family had habit of considering il
charity to make me useful. Therefore,
l did not say nay to John.
In due time | went over to the cot
tage. 10 was cosy and pleasant, save
the varnishy OdOr which always clings
10 new furniture. How the relatives did
run over that place! What comments
they made. They ended the siege at
last by declaring now that John was TO
BE- married, he would be entirely lost
unless his wife had sufficient decision to
Insist upon the turning Of a new leaf in
his conduct. And as he had been so
peRleetful as TO consult none OF them, .
probably she was an unsuitable person /
They came. John introduced me TO 1
my wife, Matte" with great flour /
ish.
Ny heart misgave me. "NIy wife, 1
Mattie,' was tiny, pink and white
DOLL topped with a profusion of light |
curls aud frizZles. When | looked into
her large, laughing blue eyes l almost
cried as | thought how sad they would
grow under Johns treatment. / prom
i-ed TO remain with them until Matte
should become acquainted with the
place. She had left an immense number
of sisters and brOtheTs-John was sure
20 mary into large family-and would
be lonely.
For whole fortnight everything was
lovely John was devoted, punctual and /
altogether a model husband; Matte was /
4 perfect pattern Of housewife, loving I.
anu happy. 1t was "JOhn, dear" and |
Matte, darling,n until | was fairly .
WIG Tor a good, healthy snarl from my
lahOSi who had returned TO her home
But when John was a month married /
he was more lawless than ever. He for
got to order the repast for dinner until /
he came-but four days out of five he /
forgot 10 come 10 dinner. He threw off I
all household care. He was even grow /
lng careless in his dress, and threw eV-
eTything into confusion whenever he en- I
tered the cottage. The pink in Mattie's /
cheek began TO change to white, and the 7,
laugh in her eye to a sob Evidently |
she had been a favorite at home, and 1
was sorely grieved. IlOnged to comfort 4
her, but did not know what to say. !
she was sitting before the gate one /
evening, waiting tea as usual. II pre- 1
suine he will not Gomez she said with a
sigh; 81 do wish John wouldn't do sou 1
way"
1T is?'' with a little start.
les, indeed. lie was very foolish to 1
..ahrry, considering his negligence. All /
t5e reiatons pity you,n went on. in an I
eIloIl 70 condole with her. "and If il !
gloWs nhGearable, as they predict il will. /
some OF them will blame Won y
rernaps the fire in the crate fiamad
up her cheeks. At all events. tbe1, xvor,
crimson. She thrust both hands mt |
my curls and then said sweetII,. NV
may as well have tea, cousin Sab-i,o" "s ;,
John came in at half-past eleven 60.
flowing with glib excuses. NIaffia stO,,l
on her tip-tOes and kissed hin, Vii
more of the old look in her face thar
had seen for days. / could have boxai
her delicate ears. After my hint. sba
might have taken decided stand with
the scamp.
I was awakened in the morning by
Hattieis clear voice twltterlng a ballad.
Af break kfast she Informed me that /
must not go home as intended, but was