The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-02
Mrs. POmerOyrs Pin-MOuey.


Mrs. POmerOy's Pin-MOney.
Nellie Winthrop was one of those for
tunate individuals whom God endows
with active brain, healthy body, and
that peculiar trait, which is best charac-
terized "spirit.n / say fortunate, be-
cause she was left, when. mere child,
to the charity of the world, which, as
every one knows, somewhat resembles
that Of certain Indian tribes-letting the
weakly children die off lest they become
troublesome. But the world honors
spirit, and when il saw that the little
maiden was determined to beat down all
opposition with her own tiny fists, it
straightway smiled upon her; so Nellie
found work here and there, and friends
TO counsel her, until she accumulated a
little money. Then she went TO school,
and in course of time became competent
to teach in the common schools; and
proud enough she felt when she found
herself sole mistress Of n dozen back
wood urchins. Thus teaching and
studying alternately, she struggled on,
until she found herself one of the most
acceptable lady teachers of her native
State. Districts that mourned over pc
culiarly intractable pupils were hers to
subjugate; and many a willful Ounce did
she lead with firm, but gentle hand, up
the hill of science.
And how she loved her work; and
how she rejoiced in her freedom, and
her well-earned Independence; and how
her black eyes would sparkle as she af-
firmed that she would always be cher
own mistress"
But alas! she went to the rural village
of Colebrook to teach during the fall
and winter, and there she met Chester
Pomeroy, a fine young farmer, who
lived n mile from town. He loved her
from the moment he saw her winsome
face looking up from Esquire Gilman's
pew in church; and she confessed to
herself, as he stood up so straight in the
gallery, leading the choir, and swelling
out grandly on the tenor, that he was
'well enough" which was considerable
for Nellie Winthrop TO admit Of any
young man.
Esquire Gilmau's wife was Chesteris
aunt, and with her consent and wOmanly
assistance 4 match was made; and be-
fore spring, Nellie yielded her boasted
independence. There were some who
said il was q shame for her to marry n
farmer; 4 college professor would not be
half good enough. But the trouble was,
Nellie loved the farmer better than any
professor; so, when her school finished,
she sat down to Mrs. Gilman's sewing
machine, and meekly stitched away At
her outfit.
Mrs. Gilman made an old-fashioned
quilting, too, so that each enthusiastic
lady friend could "set a stitch for Mel
lie; and her parlors were filled with
those who had learned to love the ener-
getic young teacher.
"Ah, Nellie" said Miss Eunice Per
kins, who was just little past thirty,
"You'll have to give up your independ-
ent ways when yOu are married. How
do you think you'll relish going to your
husband for all you want ?' looking up
keenly as she threaded her needle.
Nellie tossed her head in q very un-
subdued style as she answered: "pd
like TO see n man that could make a
beggar of me, Miss Perkins. | expect
to help do the work, and then share in
the profits. / would like to know what
right a man has to call everything his ?
But then, do not anticipate any diff
culty,u and a quick blush rose to Nellie's
cheek as she thought, "Chester is too
generous to be like other men-bless
him.
Miss Perkins arched her eyebrows,
and Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Middleton eX-
changed glances, which said as plainly
as words could have done, Poor child
you don't know anything about it. We
thought just so once"
Time passed on, and Nellie Winthrop
became Mrs. Pomeroy, and took her
place among the matrons of the land.
Her husband had been able TO pay but
little, as yet, toward his farm, which he
had purchased of wealthy and nliserly
old Mr.. Goldthwait. SO, to lesson his
burden, Nellie spent all her precious
earningsi in furnishing things for the cosy
farmhouse, of which she was enstalled
mistress.
The manifold duties of housekeeping
were new to her; but she assumed them
with the same courage and energy that
had characterized her whole life, and
soon conquered even the mysteries oi
I butter-making aud poultry-raising. She
! blistered her hands almost daily, and
grew as brown as n gypsy in making ex'
cursions over the farm to assist and en-
/ courage Chester's numerous enterprises.
I But she was happy and cheerful oveI
| her unaccustomed labors, for wasn't
everything to be ours by and by?
Thus brightly the summer months
passed, and the early Autumn. ThI
! butter was sold, and Chester announced
with pardonable pride, that it brought
| the very highest price. The apples
went next, and then the plump chickens
that Nellie had so assiduously watched
then the wheat and oats, and everything
that could well be spared, went to swell
the income.
Chester was jubilant over the result
az tell you, Nellie" said he, 'it'i
worth everything to have good wife
We have been wonderfully prosperous
Mr.. Goldthwait wants TO get the farm
back into his hands, but he can't do it
for the second payment is ready 10
him, and have considerable money be
sides.n
Nellie heard all this, and rejoice'
with him; but she began to wonde
vaguely when she was TO receive he
share Of the wonderful income.
Not a cent had she in the once well
filled purse; and as she ruefully surveye'
her boots, she fully realized that evel
the strong ties, supposed to exist be
tween sole and upper leather mus
yield to the footsteps Of time. she wa
so hard on bootsi "And who wouldn'
be ~ she said to herself grinily, "trot
ting all over the house, aud out into th
/. yard every half hour to see if q stra
hawk was after my chickens ?"
When the cold November winds begal
: TO blow, Mrs. Nellie said to herself IL