The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-12-18

onslaught upon the prevailing untidi-
ness, and was just in the midst Of the
worst OF it, when Aunt Huldah, whose
curiosity had outrun her good manners,
followed her and sought the crIpple's
bedside.
"T was trying" said Matte, "to put
the room TO rights little, but you've
seen it all now, and so don't care. We
had to bring bed in here for Nettle, so
1 can always be with her. Poor girl
she often strangles in the night, and /
must have her here where can get up
to wait upon her"
Mrs. Harding was ostentatious and
patronizing, but kind. She helped Mat
tie to change the bed and pillows, albeit
it was hard to make no disclaimer over
the half-washed bedding. And, despite
Mattie's determation to be cross with
her, the girl found herself listening with
grateful interest to various suggestions
as to the proper time TO put everything
in order and the proper way to 90 to
work to DO it..
"If had always had you for teacher,
| might have learned to be more syste-
matte. But Pm not naturally methodi-
cal and fear that never shall become
so. hate housework," said Matte.
'pm sure l can't see what has got the
matter with the girls of the present
day." and Aunt Huldah sighed deeply.
'My daughter also detests house-keep-
, ing. Why, my child, when 1 was like
you, my highest ambition was to be-
come as good housewife as my mother.
don't believe I've ever quite succeeded,
though, for don't seem to do my work
easily, as she did; and then, Pm not as
particular about some things; but /
like housework, and can't understand
the growing dislike to it that is so preva-
lent at the present time"
"Time was when girls were educated
upon that plane, only" said Matte.
oNow, they are educated upon every
other plane, and, of course, correspond
ingly untitled for this. But shouldn't
a mind housekeeping if could have q
a comfortable home to keep, and every
. thing fixed up as / want it, provided
q there was an outlet for my ambition in
that capacity, and could hope to rise
, TO affluence and eminence therein"
''The ornament of meek and quiet
, spirit bears a price above rubies," said
j Mrs. Harding, patting the cheek and
smoothing the luxurious hair Of the un-
4 conscious cripple as she spoke.
q Unfortunately a meek and quiet
g spirit is generally the very last grace
r which a life OF toll without remuneration
n brings" replied Matte.
"Somebody's got TO do housework, you
9 know, my dear"
'Yes, and somebody's got to max,
q rails and dig stumps and rocks, and hev
j timbers and shoe horses, but it doesn'
:, follow that because this work is neces
q sary, everybody must engage in i
whether it is profitable or agreeable Il
themselves or not. Many persons lik
housekeeping. Let them have undis
puted possession of the field. / dom
: like il and never will"
= 'Then why do you intend TO MARI.
, ~ Ziek Woodwork, Miss Armstrong ?"
T, 1t was the doctor who asked the ques
J." ton. His mother and Matte had beeI
. talking so earnestly that they had nc
~ noticed his sudden entrance.
Matte blushed and hesitated.
lg think you have no right to ask me sue
le question, sir" she said rallying. "Bu
D. since you have asked it, my answer i
IL because he won't care a straw whether
p halfway keep house or not, just so Ion
10 as he has plenty of fried pig and pot'
o. toes"
II "Are you really engaged, Miss Arm
IN strong 2" eagerly queried Aunt Huldal
Up Frightening up.
''That's leading question, ma'an
ty Please to wait a year or two and yo
he shall see."
'c- ~ beg your pardon. / was askin
H. questions that possibly do not concer
de me in the least, my dear. But thinl
ed just now, that you are welded TO ver
g, serious misfortune" turning to Il
nd gasping imbecile, whose cultural breatl
'e- ing was very disagreeable to the symp
ire thetic ear.
'ul "NIiss Armstrong" said the dOctl
at desperately, 81 have but few minut
les longer to remain. / should like 4 pr
rs. vate word with you"
to "Is it anything important?"
en- at is rery important or / should u
Ter ask it. Mother will you be kind enoug
to leave us alone"
lis "I don't think it at all necessary, n
son. / certainly can be trusted to list
es. TO any proper communication you ms
i've desire to make to Miss Armstrong, al
'ur L can't believe you would want an oppo
tunity to say anything that was n
ers proper"
Ike ''Then, mother, you need not be afra
are to trust me. Miss Matte, do you 10
i've me in requesting my lady mother to l
e / tire?"
''I don't think do, doctor. Evident
?" your mother fears that you are inten
riy ing to make matrimonial advanc,
which she imagines 1 am absolute
ned dying to accept. 1 beg, sir, that y
,rt- will at once dispel that illusion, a
BON then, perhaps she will love me better
les Matte blushed scarlet as she spoil
her Amos Harding looked both abashed q
.ib- angry, and the mother, feeling gextreme
te awkward, retired from the room, lea