The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-03-13
A WomaR's Defense.
From The santa Barbara Index

From the Santa Barbara Index.l
/ have come 10 you as one of the mem
tors OF the press, to ask your sympathy
and aid.
My husband is a fair specimen of the
American nobility, brimful of patriotism
and Websterian sentiment; and, of
course, great believer in, and admirer
Of, the American Press.
The other evening he was reading
aloud the news Of the week. Among
the rest was an eloquent article upon
the extravaganza of American women.
The writer Of the aforesaid article de-
elares that the main cause of our present
hard times is the excessive importation
of foreign goods, 10 the neglect of our
own manufactures. The earnest ex-
pressions OF the writer, and the evident
encouragement of my good husband at
this shocking state of affairs, really
alarmed me. Now, i'm the seven wears
Of our welded life, il has been nv first
care to be truly helpmeet for him.
So, in the loving spirit of self-saerifice,
] said: "My dear Dick, if it please YOU.
we won't use anything imported for a
year, and see how We get on" With a
grateful look, and the smile which
like so well, he exclaimed:
"Just like my own little wifel If
every woman in the land were so loyal
TO IT'S interests, the country would in-
deed be safe"
Now, pride myself on being practi-
cal, so proposed beginning the morn
ing. LET me see. No coffee, no tea.
no chocolate! How is that, Dick ?n
We'll except the coffee, wife; you
know 1t is the main part of my break
fast"
Morning came. When set the table
for breakfast, put on the brown table,
cover because my white table-Iinon is
OF Irish manufacture. OF course, there
were no napkins; but, then, it is well to
be self-denying in small things.
had the very spirit of July Fourth, |
and so drank none of the amber-colored /
huid in which Dick delighted, and nv
glass of water made him look rather un- |
comfortable, but he said nothing. True
70 The instincts Of our business man."
he took out his watch. "Dick." said /, !
softly, English chronometer."
'Bless yOui so it is. Please except
that" Up to the store he went, and
with his pleasant "GOod morning" )" he
added, as usual, "Any commissioner
by"
After making the house tidy, and see
ing sundry dinner duties done, / went
up town to my husbands store. Now,
IN our small town, every merchant has
general merchandise, from millinery to
molasses. And our family supplies are
usually from the store. AS | entered,
Dick was showing stockings and gloves
TO some ladies. "These are genuine
AleXandre's, imported from Paris. the
latest style, Aud these, ladies, are the
very best English hosiery SO he
went on. And he sold the articles too;
for they were really worth the Drice
asked for them. Then / produced nv
memoranda: "Pins, thread, currants.
raisins, citron, aud cinnamon
"Have you American pins ?'i
80 yes" said Dick; "but they are
quite inferior to the English article"
"Now, Dick, you know Pm to be a
loyal American woman; so give me
those of our home manufacture; and
the American Coates thread, If you
please"
'How about the American pudding
materials ?" qHeried Dick, with q seriO- |
comic face "Please except them, wife; |
you know the pudding is the crowning /
article at dinner" or course I excepted
themi for was not Dicks mother COM
ing over to dine with us tomorrow, and |
accom- pany us to the grand party of the |
ninlle.r On my way home, / met /
DICKS DICKS sister-about my age. "What
Silal' srSt you wear to the party ?D was her
mn mn. !. Question. Now, / had Just made
uP handsome silk-a Christnss nras~
- ioiii Dick-and had intended IN
wear wear i. Even the full ruffie cSu Of rooI sJ
button outton gloves, and the stylish Francb
70 I me tbst were "a an ready. But it occurred
perry, such as was running onr gn ap mp
and cast about for rsome other amy spranIy
ments, TO the great disgust of DictSH
ter, who asserted that she ''was H ont s'S 81
want to wear them; but what trTo ,iH Iio
prefers her own adornment TO the dssirs
Of pleasing her husband? 0''e
Dinner-time came, and with il CANA
Dick. His face was all aglow with de-
light, over the acquisition of splendid |
looking horse, which be called me out |
to see and admire. "a real English thor