The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-08-29
VOLUME III.

letters, informing them OF the approach
ing nuptials, giving hearty assurances
Of his affectionate interest in their well
fare, wisely giving q fine description of
their mothers deep attachment TO them
and her earnest desire to consult their
wishes in everything pertaining to their
welfare.
An answer from the four older ones,
who were attending school at adjacent
institutes, was duly sent as follows:
SAN JOSE, July IA, IS.
Rcu. Edgar rWorh-Sir:-As our father
that is to be we thank you for remem-
bering us. Tell the old lady if she had
invited us to be present we should have
liked her better, but that it's all right
so she comes down with plenty of
stamps. Accept the congratulations of
PETER, SARAH, JOIN, SUE.
"How singular that Ellen should be
so mistaken in regard to the manage
ment of her Children was the secret
comment of her husband of an hour.
81 believe I've found my life work. My
wife has been groping in darkness, cop
ing single-handed with odds too great for
her. must win the love of her chill
dren. Their selfshness and want of af-
fectionate regard for her are not alone
the outgrowth Of unwelcome exist
ence."
The few hidden guests had gone, leav-
ing the husband and wife alone in the
great house. Hand in hand they stood
together in the glitter of the evening
stars.
"Are you thoroughly happy, Ellen,
my treasure, my wife?'' drawing her
close to his side and speaking with i'm
passioned earnestness. "You know that
if we are to realize the highest ideal of
earthly happiness we must have no
thoughts hidden from each other, and
when 1 ask you honestly to tell me if
your soul has found perfect rest, for
your sake and mine 1 desire q candid
reply"
''No, Edgar, am not perfectly happy.
In this hour of my great joy, when in
listening to your tender words feel
the sweet assurance that naught but
death shall part us, my mother soul
goes out afresh to my neglected fledge-
lings. L feel, devoted mother as 1 have
always imagined myself, that I have
done them injustice in consummating
this union without their counsel and
consent"
$50 I thought, my dear, and, to quiet
your doubts, let me say that l antici-
pated this feeling in your soul, and
wrote to the boys at San Jose and the
girls at Santa Clara, asking their con-
sent, and in reply receiving it. My
dearest, pardon me, but I have thought
that you do not live near enough to
your children in love and sympathy
You do not make common cause with
them in your struggles, and they, being
young and unaecustomed to close think
ing, do not realize the depth of your de-
votion."
"But, Edgar, life has been so hard, so
bitter and real TO me, that 1 have
striven with my whole power of mind
and body TO shield them from such ex-
periences."
"Poor, struggling waif upon the
waves of life, did you never reflect that
the trials you have undergone have
strengthened, purified, ennobled you?'
al know that they have sometimes
made me a very Demon" was the i'm
pulsive reply.
'Tgrant that you have had more than
you needed, more than you should have
borne, but all that is past. Now want
you to look forward to the illimitable
TO BE. VIII you do it? Will you let
me devise plans for uniting oar chill
dren, for 1 feel that Providence has
made them mine, in the close, affection
ate relationship with you and me which
should exist in all households whether
the ties be those of affinity or consan'
guinity ?'
edgar Worth, you know it is said
that it is not good for man to be alone
l know that it is not good for woman
Men have called me 'strong-minded,
and women have accused me Of lacking
the feminine virtue of dependence
have myself sometimes felt that il was
well for me to be alone, but I admit that
the union of spirit with spirit is the ono
great dCsiderGt1Hl if we would be able
to act wisely or attain reasonabl,
amount Of happiness. have confidene,
e in you, and believe you will aid me il
performing a duty by my troupe of oh
: streperous responsibilities which 1 alon
D was powerless TO accomplish. a few
] moments ago you asked me If / wa
: happy. I can answer in the aAirmativ
D now.p
= For day or two the newly Marie
0 pair enjoyed quiet interchange {
e thoughts and feelings, and then, n
rangements having been completed fo
e giving the children n reception, the
: were all called home for the summer va
cation.
[ Nobly did the husband and wife pei
: form their united task of love, in wiz
o ming over these children to state {
o peace and harmony.
d The older members of the household
b having arrived at that Ito themselves
; intensely interesting age when wise
y in their own conceit than seven me
II who can render n reason, were at fir
rebellious and determined not TO becOn
reconciled TO their mothers husban'
Il but their opposition grew less as Ii