The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-02

| 10 tnat-De felt lOSC without her conf
pany, and her alto in the choir. So,
without telling him the cause Of the
| proposition, she retrimed her old hat,
mended her second-best kids, and
patched her boots, with the aid of an awI
to pierce the sole. Not being n cobbler
/ by profession, her fingers received some
wounds which made her feel almost ex-
asperated, and she concluded that if
men We're not as blind rs bats by nature,
/ Chester would see that she needed some
new ones. He, innocent heart, thought
she looked uncommOnly well, as she ap-
peared on Sunday morning, arrayed in
/ her 'old things,n and, although she
| took pains to put the worst foot forward
as she stepped into the carriage, Ches-
ter only thought, "What a pretty little
| foot my wife has got"
] His new broadcloth suit, so stout and
/ firmly made, was warranted to last q
} year at least, and what should he know
of wOman's wants
Monday morning, Nellie scrubbed out
/ her clothes with more than usual eeler-
ity; for torturing thoughts make ones
hands move quickly; and the day before,
while in Sabbath school, she had been
/ horriiied to see that her rimpromptu cob
/ bling was proving treacherous, and her
.
/ Chester expects my clothes will last for
ever" said she 10 herself. Maybe he
expects I'll ask him for money, but /
cannot! Oh, dear / cannot! Haven't l
earned anything, I'd like TO know? And
I isn't it right for him TO give me part
Z of the gain? guess / could take care
of myself better than he does it,h and if
a few tears ran down her cheeks, think
il not strange, oh, We lovers of independ-
ence,
] That night, on his return from the
village, Chester tossed n bundle into her
/ lap, saying: awe got some splendid
cloth there for vest, Nellie; have al
ways bought my clothing ready-made,
but know you could makeit so nicely
and il will save two dollars
| Nellie told him she would try to do it,
and then, rs If the thought had just oc-
cured to her, she added: ''By the way,
! Chester, think l must have some new
boots some time this week"
/ DWELL, I'd go to Stearns and get
some then, If were you. He's just got
his new goods" and Chester unfolded
his paper and began to read. Poor Mel
lie bit her lip, and wondered if other
husbands were as slow TO take hint as
hers was proving himself TO be. She
said not another word, however, and the
next afternoon got ready for her shop
ping expeditiOn-and waited for hel
liege lord TO provide her with the neces-
sary funds.
] But he sat writing at his desk, oblivi-
Gus of all domestic cares, and at length
she said, with an assumed nonchalance.
"Can you let me have some money
Chester ~
"Oh, YES, you haven't any, have you?'
u fa fas haornT fs
count the bills therein.
''rhere's five-that must go to SIr
Jackson for the use OF his team; anC
three-my minister's tax exactly; ana
ten--that goes for new sleigh-robe
and two-yOu eau have that, | guess, y
separating it from the rest; twill that
do ?"
Nellie's face grew white and then red
and her heart beat so that she could
hardly answer: 81 will try to make it.'
Chester looked up, thinking her voice
did not sound just natural; but she had
turned toward the window.
There's some change you can have
too" said he, adding several pieces OF
script TO the bill. She took the money,
thrust it into her purse, and walked rap
idly away; but her thoughts ran some
what after this fashion: "And so my
claim is last and least in his estima-
tion. I suppose that is the reason why
so many women grow SO sort of anti
quated; they hate 10 Ocg.n Her hus-
bands ears Would have tingled could he
have known these reflections, but as il
was, he only looked after her and thought
what a fortunate fellow he was to get
such n wife.
After purchasing an inferior pair OF
boots, Mrs. Nellie found that she had
thirty cents remaining, which was
speedily invested in pins, needles, and
thread, and she returned home resolved
"to labor and TO waltz little while
longer.
A few days after this, as she was bend
ing over the table trying to cut Chester
vest, Miss Eunice Perkins called, and
. after few minutes desultory chat, the
, worthy spinster drew from her pocket q
paper, which she handed to Nellie, say
ing as she did so: awe are trying to get
money to purchase q silk dress for 4
I Christmas present to our pastors wife.
As the gentlemen are trying to do some
thing for the pastor, we ladies intend tC
, get her dress among ourselves. Some
one reminded me to come to you; yoU
! used to be so liberal in your subscrip-
tions."
Z Nellie tried to read the well-knowr
, names already on the paper, but film
seemed to come before her eyes, and she
felt the blood rushing to her cheeks
She tried to smile, however, as she said
"I really haven't any money by me to-
r day, Miss Perkins-and | can't tell yOU
. i think you need not rely OH me foI
anything
, Miss Perkins gave little feminine
: shrek "rhereI there! now confess
E..Tx y
I Can YOU married ladies have h0J tn,
, have ?n and she tried 10 look very
; knowing.
, "Have I ever said but that / hav'
| enough OF everything?p asked Nellie
with a little of the dignity that used Il
. subdue troublesome boys.
! "Oh, no, of course not, everybody
saws you've got an excellent husband
and | am sure didn't mean anything
l You know it is my way to joke n littl,
occasionally, and you remember our lit
r tie talk about pin-money," and will
: continued protestations, Miss Perkin
slid the paper into ber pocket again ant
J took her departure. Then Nellie pu
r her head down on the table and had
r good cry. When Christmas came, SIN
thought of the pretty dressing-gown sh
: had made for Chester the year before
4 when she was only engaged" AM
A wished she could do as much again, "6u
: what would a present be worth, begge'
4 from his own pocket 81 said she.
: Chesteris Gift to her was a wringing
I machine. The year before, it was
: hook of poems; but, then, the machin
. was vastly more useful, and given witt
= an uudiuiinished affection she knew
only il was. 80 practical" .,.r.
n Nellie did not ask for any more none
n dnring the winter, although once sh