The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-12-25

land coming round the bluff from down
towards Stonehenge"
What could Matte do? She was at
least thankful for little warning.
Fastening to her chamber, she hurriedIy
undid her heavy braids of silken hair,
washed her red hands and face in strong
soapsuds, changed her water-soaked
shoes for a pair of light morocco ones,
and arrayed herself in the same light
blue delaine, with black velvet trim
mings, in which she had so completely
captivated DR.. Harding in the early
autumn.
Her toilet completed, she hurried 70
the kitchen where Molly and Susan, in
slatternly attire and indolent style, were
messing up some sort of meal which
the family were going TO devour in its
season, and which was to be dignified
by the title of supper.
"IHeH! weur' exclaimed Molly. sTf
Mat hasn't gone and dressed herself up !
DO you suppose toe're going to do all
this kitchen work and let you play lady,
Miss Pert ?''
"I've done work enough for one day,
and all 1 toiU do, you may depend upon
that" was the impatient reply. "And
| want you to hurry up your stumps and
get supper over. Is Nettie's porridge
made ?"
"Of course not. Dye 'spose we're
going to do yolT work ?' and Susie
slashed away at the piece of picked
pork she was slicing for the frying-pan.
'"Then I'll have to make it, for Net
tie must be fed, and Matte ran to the
cupboard only to find that the supply OF
mornings milk was exhausted aud that
Nettie's meal must wait until the even
ing's milking should be done.
"Irs good thing for me that Nettie
can't scold, poor child" she remarked,
placing her hand upon her side, through
which sharp pains were chasing each
other.
81 think you're smart to go and dress
up before the milkin's done 81 pouted
Molly. "You're no better than the rest
of u.s."
az don't profess TO be-"
"Then, why don't you wear your old
clothes till bed time, like we do ?"
because do not choose to. When
ever feel like placing myself under
your tutelage, Miss Smarty, Pll notify
you"
"Yah! yah! yah ~ exclaimed both
girls in breath.
Nobody can touch you with a forty
foot pole since Doc. Harding began TO
come here" exclaimed Molly.
The bevy of dogs began the usual
yelping that heraldsd the arrival OF
a visitor.
Matte left the kitchen and hastened
to the front door. John was there before
her, peering into the misty cleaning
while the little boys, with dirty faces
ragged knees and elbows and matted
hair, into which last their chapped fin.
gers kept straying with suspicion,
scratchings, were erowding around him
only 10 get their shins numerically
kicked by the Obliging elder brother.
The doctor and Ziek reached the
broken front gate from opposite diree
tions at the same moment.
We leave our gentlemen readers &
imagine the sublime awkwardness ex,
perienced by each at this unexpected
meeting. Doubtless, each mentally con
signed the other, for the nonce, TO tn,
dim shades of Halifax or some other ad
jaeent seaport. But the doctor, quit,
well versed in the ways of the world
was ready with a plausible excuse 70
his visit, which he could easily maxi
apparent. Wasn't the poor invalid hi
especial charge, and why shouldn't IA
visit her?
But poor Ziek Woodworth could fram
no such excuse Each saluted the othe
with hand grasp intended TO appea
cordial, but from the eyes of both, Their
shot CLEAN which in less civilized day
would have been construed into chal
lenge for some sort Of trial upon thei
muscle.
"Get out there, Ponto, Shoe Fly
Bruno and Pompey AH O. ye!" yelle
John, as he suddenly appeared anon
the group Of dogs and began belayin
them with a cIub
DIR. Harding, upon entering, took
rapid survey Of the late household i'm
; provements. Itwas pity that he coul
not realize the prodigious amount Of Ia
p Dor Matte had performed.
I "Why, Miss Armstrong" he ex
I claimed, as soon rs the usual greeting
were over, "YOu have transformed you
surroundings into cheerfulness. shoul
[ not have recognized the place"
"If you had worked as hard as hav
f done and achieved so little, Idon't thin
2 you'd imagine there. was anything yer
romantic aboutit," !" replied Matte laugl
:. ing.
: "For my part call all sich work den
4 milton nonsense" said Mr.. Woodwork
squirting a muuth full of tobacco juiC
upon Matlie's well secured floor, whi
, the residue ran down the corners Of h
thin and sharp-set mouth, and lodged VI
OH the bosom of his hickory shirt. an
4 wife," he continued, "never shall wei