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

] 4
would like TO see a railroad -wouldn't
we, Katie ?-an iron horse, too?n j
"Yes,n said Katie. "What kind of
saddle does he have? Is this an iron
horse you've been making on this pa
per-"
"Hush, Katie" whispered Judith,
crumpling up the scrap in her hand.
''Go get your picture-book and / will
show you what one is like. Are you go
ing away from home to-day, Pap?n
she asked in the next breath.
"Waal, yaas, reckon so. PII Just
ride over an see what them fellers is
up to. What fur dye want ter know,
Jude %
"Why, I've nobody to ask questions
now but you, Pap. Shall you be gone
long? ?'
1.-TWO hours, mebbe," and Judith hav-
ing eunuingly extracted this informa-
tion, felt sure of a forenoon of uninter-
rupted practice with her peneils, which
was equivalent to an equal period of un-
alloyed happiness.
Quickly flew the time-so quickly
that Judith looked up in surprise when
the old wooden clock in the kitchen
hoarsely wheezed out the hour of
twelve; for it was time her father was
returned, and his dinner had yet to be
prepared. Indeed the sound of horses
feet at that moment pointed the clocks
reproach upon her tarliness. But it
was not Miles only who appeared TO de-
mand her services as cook; her father
had returned with half-a-dozen disaf-
fected border-men, who, like himself,
were insanely intolerent of innovations;
and the amount of provisions needed
to refresh the lank company was dis
heartening to contemplate. However,
as there was no way out of the difficulty
except to attack and conquer it, Judith
set to work with all her energies and in
due time her fathers guests were seated
at table, with Judith for their waiter,
and little Katie, wide-eyed looker-on,
in all the dignity of smooth curls and a
pink hair-ribbon, for honorary assist
ant.
'They say thar's goin' to be a meetin'
OF them thar grain-farmers tonight
over to the new school-house," said one
who seemed to be spokesman of the
party. "pd like right well to hear their
speechifying. Reckon we-uns mout
larn heap o. Yankee idees by 'tendin'
that meetin'. What dye say, boys, shell
all on US go?"
"Pm on it-dOgoned ef 1 amt"
was the intelligent rejoinder of the man
at the speakers right.
'Tally me another" said the speak
ers left.
"Pll swar ef it amt mighty fine
notion" remarked third supporter of
the chair.
The fifth and sixth, being young fell
lows, were content to listen deferentially
to their elders, eat their dinner, and
steal shy glances at Judith over the
rims of their coffee-cups, while their
host was appealed to for his opinion.
WAL, don't keer ef you-uns goes,
eff l go to-" said Miles, somewhat re-
luctantly. "Mebbe we'll git on the
scent Of that id ShuItz, an beat him
at his own game by a-knowin' NV it.
"That Dutchman's got a-many lettle
game ef what folks tells on him bees
true" remarked the speaker.
'StOre-clo's goes a long ways with some
folks" ventured one of the young men.
''No furder'n folks carry's lem, !
reckon" essayed the other young man,
snickering into his coffee-cup, and
choking himself in consequence.
II While he was coughing and sputter-
ing, to the mingled amusement and dis
gust of Judith, his elders resumed the
theme.
80, he kin live with them greasers, ei
theys agreeable; 'tain't nothin' ter nae, u
was the next truthful remark of the
speakers right.
"What's tbat?p demanded Miles,
t with sudden interest.
} "Why, meow, mebbe yew don't hear
the news deown this hyar way ?''
) chuekled the informant, coyly delaying
S to impart the choice bit Of gossip to his
e benighted neighbor. "Waal, sure, !
heard it down to the branch more'n q
: week a-gone. WAL, sureln
5 "Heerd what? ?" asked Miles, sharply.
d "kf yer news be n week old, itain't nc
IS great news, be it,"
J, "Mebbe 'tis-mebbe itain't-thet,,
n just as yew see it,n returned the other
: with provoking eoolness. ''Thar's som,
d folks''-glsncing over his shoulder a
e Judith, who was about taking the speak
Is er's cup to replenish it-"mout count /
- 3 heap o. conscience when the high-fa
e lu-tinest young feller in the countr,
: takes up with Spanish gal"
If '9Tain't nothin' ter me or mine VIII
s he takes up with, damn him ~ growle,
Miles, angrily, with furtive glance a
: Judith, whose face being averted, fortu
d nately, told no tales. 'rNor don't wan
5 yeu, Tim Parker, 20 be lettin' on lik
It yew reckoned IL wor."
a "No more l be" answered Tim, sulk
: ily; "but folks will talk-ani one c
Spedden's herders, he tOle herVler {
10 mine that Senorita Enez, one o. tn
,e peartest an purtiesto' them Spanish gal
e, over TO Spedden's, kicked up a hell-of-s
row coz Shultz, as she lays claim ag'ir
n was a-spreaden' hisself ter be awful pei
ee lite ter Jack MfIeses gal-nOt but that b
he had a right, aud not but I'd a-done th