The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-09

'AAA'g WIN AhCSS PSSHiS -lie Oull SOCl-
ETY. which she knew-nor that it was 4
tax upon her time and strength to en-
tertain them whenever they chose to
come, since all the women ever she had
known were content to serve and wait
always provided that they did it not for
hire, like the "niggers."
Mrs. Parker, more commonly known
as Deb Parker, or Tim Parker's wife,
was trim, rather sharp-featured little
person, with hazel eyes and auburn
hair, q sun-burnt complexion that
might once have been fair and soft, and
red, knotty hands that revealed the
cause OF the slight stoop in the
thin shoulders. Mrs. Parker was
only about thirty years of age, but
passed among her class as an old
woman, so quickly does the beauty
of womanhood depart when exposed to
the hardships Of frontier life. When
Tim had come home the day before,
drunkenly boasting having been waited
on by that ''purty gal over to Mileses',"
poor, jaded Deborah, who had once
passed for pretty girl herself, could not
resist half-jealous desire to see the
young beauty of whom others besides
Tim had testified. The thought kept
presenting itself to her mind, until
having, as before mentioned, become
possessed of some news too good to keep,
she determined to make that as sort Of
hospitality-earning gift, after the fash
ion of various people, both barbarous
and enlightened.
Judith received her visitor, and the
two tow-headed little girls who came to
see Katie, with a quiet friendliness, re-
preaching her, as etiquette demanded,
for n long absence.
"Waal, it is so. | don't go nowhars
sence we came ter live in Californy.
When we lived in Mizzouri the nabors-
they was considerable plenty-an'
lowed in them days to go somewhars
onct n week, ginerally. An l didn't
hev so many yOung-uns then, nuther.
But pears like sence JEFF was born thar
hain't ben no time for me to go nowhar.
l hain't never ben so well, nuther, sence
we came ter Californy. Crossin, the
plains with lot o. yOung-uns, trav'lin'
most all day OH foot helpin' ter drive the
stock, an cookin' fur the men come:
right hard on n woman. An Beaure
gard, lie was born afore we got our hous,
battened, an | tux cold am was sick ;
long time with swellin' on nay leg
an the baby an Lee has he'd the
measles-hev yew heerd the news?"
This question being appended in tn
place of q climax in the list of Debo
rahs complaints, took Judith, whose at
tention was beginning to wander, at
disadvantage, causing visible start o
surprise and a sudden ACCESSION Of inter
est, of all of which she felt uncomfort
ably conscious.
"I do not hear much news now
Boone is away" she answered eva
sively. "Pap never talks much excep
about the business of the ranch, and no
often about that, TO me-"
81 thought yer Pap was dredful Sc
agi'n the railroad" said Deborah.
"He is good deal set against it,
believe; but if it comes I suppose h
will have to learn to like it. IshOuld b
glad TO see some improvements in tn
country"
"Thats what I say ter Tim. But h
says it will be bad thing fur the cattle
raisers; an pears like when men-folk
git their heads set agin thing the
amt agoin' ter hev it, noways. Do ye'
know Mr.. Shultz ?'
'I have seen Mr.. Shultz number
times when he has been to see Pap,
Judith replied with increasing warmt
in her face, which annoyed her the NOR
that she saw Deborah was watchin
her.
'rve heern tell thet Shultz was
mighty nice young feller, on'y he
reckoned powerful close in trade. Bu
, l reckon he hain't nothin' ter do but
do as he's ben told. Hev yew ben owe
ter the store long back?"
Judith felt that she was being "col
raled," and though burning with indig
nation, replied as indifferently as sh
, could, that she chad been there ono
during the last year"
"Folks say" pursued Deborah, "th'
I Mr.. Shultz is mighty perlite ter the ga
that goes thar to trade; but l hahn
heern tell Nv but one as he guyadinnel
9 party to-"
To this, being an assertion, merel.
, Judith did not feel called upon to reply
but gave her attention, with much sho
of its being needed, TO the affairs Of til
. children in the kitchen. When she n
; turned Deborah continued:
! "An' folks say as haow that thar-d
> YOU know that Spanish gal, Enez?"
= Exasperating as this inqIisitorial pre-
: cess was, the subject was too deeply il
: teresting to Judith for her to brook
. longer delay of the "news" which 81
felt sure was to come as the finale aft
= these successive steps in its announc
: ment, and subduing her pride 81
. answered with what cOmposure 81
j could:
3 az have seen her once, and bea
d about her a littlOf DO you know an.
: thing about herr"
/ "Waal, l heern this mornin' thet 81
d dressed up in Yacaro's clos aud shot NJ
v Shultz, last night, when he was a-ridi
q home from the meetin'."
\ 'Shot Mr.. Shultz! Do YOU mean N