The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-07-24

AAShJ. say W VIC 6Of-
ernor' that 1 wouldn't be trammeled.
I'd demand share of my patrimony, so
that might go into business for myself,
aud be dependent upon nobody"
"And get laughed at for your pains,
my boy"
"Then I'd run away"
"IPhdts"
''Pd run ai0dy; and in some remote
place, among strangers, I'd begin my
life work, even If I had to be stable
boy ~
"How would you like TO change sltua-
tions with me, Henry ."
"O'Toodles and all ?"
fYes."
''There isn't money enough in the
Hastiugs-O'Toodles bank to make me
swap positions"
"GOu're right, boy, you're right"
''rd shake my shackles off this very
day, then, if were you"
But Melvin Hastings found it one
thing to make heroic resolve in the
seclusion Of his chamber, with q strong
young spirit to urge him on, and quite
another to face his father and the world
and put that resolve in execution.
Henry went to his work and Melvin
repaired to his fathers Office. Thatdigni-
tary was seated in his easy chair, with his
feet upon the window-sill, lazily putting
great clouds of smoke from a long-used
meerchaum, and gazing dreamily out
upon the distant landscape. "What now,
son ?" closing his eyes and pulling a
trifle faster than had been his wont.
"Father, Eve come for a little busi-
ness chat this morning." speaking hur-
riedly. Suppose your effects were to
be divided equally to-day among your
heirs; how much would my share be ?''
''That's leading question:" remov-
ing the pipe and running his fingers
through his iron-grey hair.
"But have good reasons for asking"
"Well, 1 suppose, hundred thous-
and"
Father, will you give me ten thous-
and now and cut me of without further
inheritance ?"
care you crazy?"
"Never was more sane in my life."
"Then answer flatly, no. rll keep
my property in my own hands as long
as 1 live. You never earned any money,
and you've no idea of its value. You'd
squander ten thousand in less than a
year, and then be a pauper on my
hands,"
"Well, father, must say that there's
nobody but you to blame if l have nc
business sense. You never will trust
me with anything"
al suppose you're not to be trusted
with that fine mansion on the Avenue
and the best turnout in the city wher
you get married? You talk as if ]
wasn't kind to your
"You mean to be kind, father, but yoJ
treat me just as you treat the girls"
"Why shouldn't ?"
"How would you like it ?p
"Melvin, see here ~ and the senio
displayed his broad and once brawny
hands. "When / was of your age l ha,
neither friends nor dollars. You
mother and 1 began our life togethe
with one COW, two pigs, six chickens,
feather bed and six pewter plates
We've saved an managed an got rich
1 don't say 1 haven't been sharp as wei
as savin', but know just how my prop
erty came, an I'll hold onto it Will
my heads hot" and he leisurely re
sumed his pipe.
Melvin arose and paced the room ner
vOusly.
"Look at your hands, said the senior
with q sneer. "You're no better mus
cled than 4 jaybird, an couldn't do har
work enough to keep you from stary
ing"
''Yon're my sire, sir, and il I'm not a
well developed physically as you thin
1 might be, I don't know of anybod
who should be more ashamed Of the fac
than yourself"
"None o. your sauce, young man!
I'd a talked that way to my father, he
a. turned me out o. doors"
"Pm ready to be turned out, l assur
you," said the son, desperately.
whats the matter now ?"
"Just this, sir. 1 will not marry Ne
O'Toodles. tgiu go into business i
some way, for myself, and I'll accept al
from you if 1 can, but do without it if
must. L will not be a child foreve
Henry Lee, who is nothing but stab
boy, would scorn my position Of helple:
! dependence. / never see him at b
patient, plodding toll but that 1 eny
the spirit of manhood that is growing u
within him."
perhaps you envy him his pretty si
ter" with peculiar emphasis aceomp;
nying the sneer with which the wol
''sister" was uttered.
, Melvin blushed, and sought to hiC
his anger and confusion by gazing out,
the window.
"She's a deuced pretty girl" contil
! ued the senior. screen, but not awl
/ ward. 1t would a been a lucky hit &
] the walk In if she'd a. stayed"
"why didn't she stay, then?" Me
wins voice was constrained and husk
{ "She's got better thing" replied Il
, father, pulling rapidly as he spoke.
' "How ?"
E "She's found a fello,g. ] don't s