The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-08-21


''Do you know where he is ?n and the
mothers heart gave a great, anxious
thump as she hoped for fresh tidings
from her absent one.
~ saw by the papers that he was in
New York. But never want TO set my
eyes again upon a disobedient child"
Mrs. Hastings was by this time weep
ing bitterly. How her heart yearned
for the absent boy who had nestled upon
her bosom in babyhood and grown TO
under her fostering care none
but those mothers whose empty arms
reach out in vain to clasp their darlings
can have opportunity to know.
AS May was going TO her suite of
rooms, which were situated opposite
those belonging to Alice, and separated
by wide corrides, she tried her sisters
door in passing, and found it locked.
Pressing with her thumb upon the
tiny silver bell plate, she was surprised
that she ELECTED no response.
"Alicerp she whispered, "Aiice!
won't you let me in ="
"WhO is it?" came through the key
hole, in the same guarded tones.
"May."
"Where's father?'
"Down stairs giving mother piece of
his mind. Won't you let me in >"
''Pretty soon," and Alice hurrriedly
slowed away some articles of disguise
which she had been preparing and
admitted her sister to her presence.
"what did you think when you saw
father strike me?"
al thought that il ] were i'm your
place it would take two TO play at that
game"
'You're more like father than am il
you would stoop to strike at him, no
matter what the provocation. But !
will submit no longer to such indiguity.
Mother is afraid to say her souls her
own, and she's encouraged him in being
tyrannical until he doesn't himself inn
agine half how bad he is. The blows
he gave me will never be repeated"
"How will you helpit if he chooses TO
give them ?"
ave shall see."
"Alice, you don't mean to add another
disgrace TO the Hastings and OToodles
families by breaking your engagement
and running away ?''
'Nes, | do. mean to go before the
mast as a sailor boy. There's a vessel
going out tonight. Don't you tell
father till / am gone. After the vessel
is well out to sea lie can't help himself
Will you promise ?''
'I will"
"'Pon honor ?i'
ayes; the honor Of n sister"
"All right. And now bid me good.
bye. IT. will not do for mother or father
to know that we are closeted together
only tell you this that you may re-
lieye their minds of uncertainty about
my fate after they've had time to b'
sorry that they drove me to this"
"But it would never do for me to tel
them that you had confided in me.
wouldn't dare TO do it,"
"Well, l don't want to get you int
trouble. You needn't tell them til
you are married. Then your husband
can protect you"
ar he will"
"Thars well said, my sister. II In
will. Guess 1 won't risk it. I'll writ
letter to mother, telling her Of my re
solve, and I'll put it where you mustn'
find it for two weeks; right under tn
false bottom in this drawer. You viii
be sure to remember"
"You may fully trust me-"
The farewells were spoken, and Alic
turned the lock and again begal
her preparations for departure.
"Would to God that 1 might full.
trust her." she said, through her tears
''but, Alice Hastings, the crisis in you
life has come. You must trust you
own judgment. May has n sister
heart-God bless her-but she belong
to society. must keep my own coun
sell"
The promised letter contained onl
these words:
Goodbye, mother. I cannot be slave. d
not search for me. You will not find me il 20
do. when become a woman in indviduaIit.
In responsibility and honorable freedom, q
well as in name and aspiration, you may loo
again to greet your ever anec;ionate
] "ALIcE-
Mrs. Hastings did not dare to visi
her daughters room that night. 9Th
head of the family was in nervoU
mood, and could not sleep; and so CON
pletely was his wife under his submi'
sion that she would not for her life hav
risked incurring his displeasure b
seeking a private interview with he
child when he was in the house.
The world is full of sympathy fC
"hen-pecked husbands" We have VI
to learn to properly commiserate th
many "rooster-pecked wives" who sui
NIT in silent suffering to refinement {
tyranny which would drive husbands
like conditions TO the grog-shop {
gaming-table, while everybody woul
say, "Poor fellow what pity he hi
such tyrant for n wife ~
Alice toiled diligently through IL
long hours of night. She was prepariu
q complete disguise, and engaged
asserting such articles Of value from h'
wardrobe and jewelry as might be mo-
} valuable when she should be reduced
the straitened circumstances which 81