The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-08-14

CHAPTER XII.
Annie was up long before dawn on the
morning following the quarrel with her
brother. Arranging the preliminaries
for breakfast, she left the finishing up to
Fan and Sue, and busted herself in a
hurried, distracted manner with the
family washing. All of this work de-
volved upon her now that her two sis
tiers attended school.
Further opportunities for systematic
education than her mother had given
her in their home in the wilderness were
heroically self-denied by the conscien-
tiOus girl.
''Its better that all should have a lit
tie learning than that some should have
none at all, she argued to herself "Be-
sides, have already had a good COM
mon school course. Reading and expe-
rience must DO the rest"
She might have also said that some
body must provide the creature comforts
for her greedy charge, and there was no.
body but her to do it; but though the
thought crossed her mind, it found no
audible utterance.
'What are you in such brown study
about, Annie ," queried the considerate
Jim, as lie helped himself to his break
fast, while Annie rubbed upon the wash
board at the wristbands of his hickory
shirt.
''Pm trying to solve the problem as to
what We shall eat and drink, and where
withal we shall he clothed" wringing
the rough garment in her tiny hands,
and hanging it in twist upon the back
of a chair
''YOu didn't half wiring that shirt %
was the brotherly admonition. "See
the water drips from it like the very
mischief"
"Wring it yourself them" was the
quick reply. "If you'd done your duty,
you'd have had half the hard rubbing
and wringing done while 1 was getting
breakfast"
"rm not a girl, and I'd have you
know that Tve no duties in that direc-
tion."
''You know ! can't help it if am a
girl. Pm almost ready to vow that
never viii do any more washing for you
till you get something to do to help sup
port this family"
"Du tell! You're putin on airs since
you went to the Walk In.'u
Now Annie was no saint, and the boys
taunt was enough to throw her into a
frenzy.
"You sldT't talk to me that way, sirr'
she cried. "I mont stand itg'
"Help yourself, little one," he replied,
with laugh, as he addressed himself to
a fresh stack of griddle cakes, just baked
for his use by Sue.
Annie demurely rolled down her
sleeves, changed her attire, helped her
self to the fifty dollars from the trunk
that had been her mothers, and taking
Dick with her, left the house without q
word.
"You've done it, Jim !" said Fannie,
in indignant alarm.
"Done 1Uhat?''
"Why, driven Annie away from home!
A pretty kettle of fish we'll all be in il
she treats US as you treat her, and
wouldn't blame her if she did"
mo danger of that ~ said Jim, but
somehow his appetite for griddle cakes
was sated, and he left the table and
sauntered down the street to look after
his sister. But his search was fruitIess,
and with heavy heart and sad forebod-
ings, he pursued his way to school,"
"What if Annie should leave us ?'' was
his mental query all day long.
"Why shouldn't she, when you treat
her so badly ," queried the boys CON-
mon sense.
Annie was once more persuaded by
the force of circumstances to enter an
intelligence Office; but she was careful
now to take a good look at the proprie-
tor before crossing the threshold. Pass
ing by several pretentious establish.
ments, where pompous young men sal
at ease around tables loaded with news
papers, awaiting applications for labor
from the protected sex, she stopped il
front of a modest-looking office, wher,
an elderly gentleman in beaming spec
tacles awaited her request.
"Can you find me a snug little room
upon a business thoroughfare where th'
rent will be light and the surrounding
respectable ?'
''Do you wish to rent a store ?"
ayes, if I can get one that will not b
too expensive"
"What kind of business do you wisl
to engage in ~
81 think of opening a millinery
store"
"Then I guess the place wouldn't
suit"
"What place 81
"a tobacconist has just vacated a very
good corner that might suit a dress
maker, but Pm afraid it isn't larg,
enough for great display of millinery
Annie laughed a musical, ripplius
laugh, that sounded more like hope thar
any utterance to which she had giyer
vent for months.
81 guess the place will be large enough
for all the stock / shall have for ,
while" she said. "WilI you give m,
the key and let me visit it?"