The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-07-10

All, Melvin Hastings, protector Of
woman, lord of creation that you were,
when you saw another woman tearing
great rents in the reputation OF that lit
tie Spartan devotee to duty, why hadn't
you the courage to boldly assert her
superiority to the silly detractor of her
own sex, who sought to sully her fair
fame by base insinuations .f
Are all men moral towards?
Annie had been miserable before meet
ing the one object of her young afiec-
tions, but she was crushed now. Her
heart seemed like great lump OF lead,
and her entire senses were oppressed
with a mute despair.
The stern fact that sheer destitution
stared her dependent ones in the face
alone nerved her to make other efforts
for employment, but she was every
where met with the one objection, ave
want nobody for help who is encumbered
with child"
1t was of no avail that Annie offered
to drudge for the merest pittanee, and
keep her little brother out of sight and
hearing of those of whom she sought
employment.
Failing utterly in every attempt, and
heart-siek and tired by frequent rebuffs,
the poor girl left the thoroughfares upon
which the fashionable residences were
ranged in stately rows, and betaking
herself to the business portion Of the
city, sought an intelligence Office.
Dropping into the nearest chair, she
was waited upon by an important-look-
ing clerk, to whom she timidly made
application for situation.
"WIdop, ma'am ." eyeing her pat
ronizlngly.
"No, sir" with an embarrassed air.
Husband living?"
al have no husband, sir; but don't
know that is any of your business
whether have or not. If you have a
place where you think could get hon
est wages and shelter for myself and
baby brother, that is all ask of you"
impossible to get places for women
with young ones. Nobody wants to he
bothered with them"
I "But children have to live"
The man cast u contemptuous glance
at the child, as much as to say "non-
sense" and turning away, ignored the
presence of the girl for some moments.
Annie felt that the last hope was gone,
and dropping her head upon the
shoulders of her little brother, she burst
into passionate fit of weeping.
81 wouldn't cry, little beauty" said
the fellow, patronizingly. "As pretty
a girl as you might be, if you had fine
clothes on, has no need to be without
friends"
az don't understand YOU" with 8
faint haughtiness. Indeed, the spirit and
dignity that were her natural birthrighI
had been well nigh crushed out Of hel
by the blight Of bitter poverty.
"I mean that l will help you if you
will trust me-"
Chow ?"
Dut was SIdSPllio az clianoi nOh.
Unlocking the safe that stood behinC
the counter, the lawful protector o
, women drew forth half-dozen double
double eagles, and extending then
temptingly towards her, said: 'l'l
trust you with loan of this for you
, immediate wants on one condition"
Annie was frightened. Drawing her
self to her fullest height, she said, will
spirit, al did not come here to borrow
money, but to get situation. SHOULD
, never be able to repay it, and l dom
even thank you for offering it to me =
! and leaving the Office, she started home
still carrying the now sleeping infant.
4 "Shine yer boots Only ten cents"
The speaker was bent upon bargain
but the intelligence officer was a
eagerly intent upon watching Annie, q
she struggled under her load.
. az say, Pete, here's quarter, and
you'll track that girl TO her sty, II
give you half dollar when you ge
back" ...
"Thats better than shinin' boots,
said the boy, gleefully, as he started i
pursuit Of Amies humble home.
"Did ye git anything to do to-day
, Sis ?" queried Jim, as they seated them
selves around the scanty board.
Annie related her days experienC
: with much bitterness.
5 ''Poor Dick ~ said Sue, when she Ia
b finished. "There's no place for you /
the wide world. Anne, why didn't yo
K ask them what was to be done wit
him ?n
n because they wouldn't know an
better than /. I met a fashlonab
=; woman to-day, who bestows more cal
l. and money upon her poodle in yea
It than Tot and Dick and the twins ev'
l. received in their lives. acknowledl
that Pm at the end of my tether.
a don't know what to do next"
"I know" said Jim, in half jok
1t aYou can wash the dishes and @
10 things ready for breakfast"
=, "Pm too tired to do anything of Il
he klnd,p said Annie 'You must SOC
learn to do without me, for must (
Ii son,ewhere to work, and know no be
y ter time for you to begin than now.n
Of The one little room, which constitut,
the kitchen, parlor and chamber Of Il
We Lees, was well spread with beds for Il
IS, accommodation of the many sleeper
90 when all were startled by sudden ia
ne tat-tat with rattan upon the door.
Amie's heart gave great bound