The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-07-31
CIIAPTER Y.


Melvin Hastings strobe eon in the glow
ing gas-light Of the now deserted streets.
and out-distancing his father, entered
the grand paternal mansion by the aid
of his latch key, and, bounding up the
broad stairway, sought his luxurious
suite Of rooms. He turned on a bril-
liant food Of gas, and took a prolonged
survey Of the elegant furniture and
costly drapery, with which the apart
ments had beeR adorned, regardless OF
expense, for his comfort and accommo-
dation. Ample evidence of his mothers
love was visible everywhere. The only
surviving son, among large family OF
daughters, he was emphatically the pet,
and had, unconsciously to himself, long
been a sort of autOcrat in the household.
Here was q beautiful Sevres vase, that
had been purchased for a present on his
last birthday. Itwas full of the choicest
wax flowers, made by his mothers
hands, and covered with a crystal dome,
80 clear as to be almost invisible.
There was an elegantly wrought Dress
ing-gown, which must have cost many
months of tedious toll. Yonder was a
lounging cap, and beside it a pair OF
slippers, each betokening the care and
labor by which they had been adorned.
80, MOTHER sighed Melvin, wearily,
Fashion and wealth have spoiled you
in many ways, but they haven't cor
roded your mother-heart. How l wish
you would come to me tonight %
Blessings upon a mothers heart :
How it clings to US, shines over and
through US, and beams upon the dark
ways Of our lives like a benison from
the Divine. How mysterious the band
of sympathy that unites the mother
soul to the child spirit, and telegraphs
the thoughts of each to the other in
times Of trial.
Melvin stretched himself upon his bed
and groaned aloud.
"What is the matter, dear ?n
a soft hand was pressed upon his fore
head, and tender kiss was laid upon
his fevered cheek.
'Ts that you, mother ?"
''Yes, dear; I felt that you were
awake and unhappy. What is the mat
ter?''
81 wish I could die ~
80, Melvin Don't talk that way
Tell your mother just what your trouble
is, and Ill see what can be done for you.
Your good angels must have sent me
here, for 1 couldn't sleep because Of a
desire TO come and talk with you"
"Father and 1 have had a quarrel
mother, and he's disinherited me.
told him 1 wouldn't marry Net O'Too-
dies, and he thinks pve compromised
his honor. If you knew what he's beer
trying to teach me tonight, you'd b'
astonished. He wants me to sell ny
soul and body by marrying O'Toodles
and then he says 1 can find my favor
ties in houses Of ill-repute. He says al
rich men do these things, and he tool
me tonight to the walk In AM
showed me how married men Of mean
and influence are expected to spen'
their evenings. Mother, l know I'm
not worth much. don't know how t
do anything in particular. Fathe
treats me as if I were nothing but
girl, and he has some reason to do SC
for I am very inefficient, but it's all hi
fault"
'rYou don't mean to say that you
father is going to cast you of ?"
81 mean to say that he has done so.
"But you will not leave home ?"
"How can help it? 1 have no righ
here, except by his permission. Pm O
age, and have no claims upon hi
bounty"
''But, my son, your mother protests
You shall not be driven off,"
"pd like to know how you're going Z
help it, mother. This elegant home be
longs to your lord. You have no right
during his lifetime, except those G
shelter and support for yourself an
your minor children. You couldn't pro
tect me here. Besides, dc. not want {
stay. 1 want TO go out and try my vi
used powers, and see if 1 can't be some
thing besides a nonentity, to be dictate
10 in regard to my dearest interests, o
though were a wOman.p
Mrs. Hastings bowed her head upo
the pillow, and burst into tears.
at seems hard" she sobbed, "afte
all the privation and toll of my Ion
life, and after earning at least half
your fathers possessions, by raisin
stock in the wilderness, while he Wa
sporting in the city; it seems hard, a
ter all this, that have no choice
the disposition Of any of our unite
gains. was offered ten thousand do
lars today for the privileges of the rive
front on my block down by the iro
foundry. wanted the money for yo,
but your father wouldn't let me CON
piete the bargain. 1 am as poor as
church mouse, with all this elegance.
Then, mother, why do you couns
Alice to follow in your footsteps p,
Because its better to endure than
rebel and bear the consequences. II
sides, rebellion would do us no goo
and compromise our position in 8
clety.a
"Well, mother, have resolved to !