The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-04-03


appearances as well as comfort.
HNow," said the Major, when they
were fairly on the road to the Cliff
House, "we can talk"
Judith, looking up exRectantly, met
| the critical and admiring gaze of her
companion, and ayerted her own eyes
without knowing why
nScience informs u.s." continued the
Major, "that the nerve-eenters of the
cultivated man are more complex than
those of the uncultivated one; that,
however, original organization may in
some cases, especially in hereditary ex-
amples, supply these complex idea
sources which furnish aesthetic emo
ton. 1t also informs us that where
they exist, either through culture or or
ganization, they act in obedience to
stimulation just as surely and mechanic
ally as those nerve-centers which pro-
duce the lower order of animal feelings;
and that their suppression gives pain,
or their indulgence pleasure, by the
same inevitable law. It follows that
our capacity to renounce the pleasures
arising from the exercise of our aesthetic
emotions is bounded by our capacity to
endure the pain of suppressing them.
Ergo, it is entirely futile to resolve,
that with love of the beautiful highly
developed in US, we will live hard, un-
lovely life, into which the beautiful can
never come. But you are not scientific,
and do not understand all this" he added,
laughing lightly.
If Judith was not scientific, she
caught at the meaning of this exposi-
ton of enc Of the theories of science.
Therefore" returned she, with a
touch of bitterness, 'to be q serving
maid would argue the absence of culture
and taste. I acknowledge that it does,
in my case"
1--WE had pickles for lunch, did we
not ?'' inquired the Major, at which Ju-
dith felt forced to smile. "But, seri-
ously, sought this opportunity to have
a talk with you, and offer my counsel,
which you may think worth something
or not"
''O,' cried Judith, with an immediate
sense of relief, az think it is worth
everything; and 1 shall thank you so
much for giving it. Do you know,
feel as if everything 1 do is a mistake.
| ought not to have come to Mrs. Bra
zee's; and ought not to have spent my
money; and 1 ought not to Le taking
my pleasure and growing more and
more idle when there is such need of
action. I feel myself going altogether
wrong, yet do not know how to stop, or
go right"
at is quite shocking that you should
indulge yourself in a little rest and
amusement, after what you have over
come that was neither of these; griev-
Gus that young lady still in her legal
infancy should not be overturning the
world for something to do. That is very
bad indeed; but that you should have
spent your money is worsew
81 know it, returned Judith, "and it
is not laughing matter. But only
followed the suggestions of Mrs. Brazee,
and 1 am not good at figures, either;
and it was gone before l knew it,"
The Major pulled at his beard vigor-
ously to keep from showing his amuse-
ment in hearty laugh, which he felt
would be rude to her under the eircum-
stances; for, as she said, it was no
laughing matter, to her.
"Well, you have this reflection to
comfort you: that the money would
have spent itself in some other way,
probably, if not in this; and that in no
shape could it have done itself more
credit than in adorning Miss Miles"
'T did not know we were going to
make pretty speeches." said Judith,
with a gravity that became her i'm
mensely.
$50 we are not; we are going to talk
business" returned the Major, refrain
ing from further levity, aud looking Sc
riously at his horses heads. "Will you
be good enough to tell me if 1 can be OF
any service to you ?'
THANK you. When l consider, /
don't see how you could, unless you can
nnd out what 1 am good for, and the
place Tor which l am good. have not
yet gotten beyond taking care of some
body's babies"
'May ask you an impertinent oues-
ton ?''
with certain mental reservations
yes" answered Judith, waiting curl.
ously for the impertinence.
''Do you know that you are extremel,
beautiful ?''
"The color flashed into Judith's face
"Are we making pretty speeches again?'
she asked.
''No; no, indeed; l warned you 1 wa
going to be disagreeable. need no
have asked, for you have eyes, and Mrs
Brazee plenty of mirrors. What
should have inquired, is this: DO yol
not know that no young lady of you
appearance can safely fill menial posi-
tion ?n and this time the Majors eye
met Judith's searchingly.
But she returned the gaze with simpl
wonder. "And why not? Are m.
looks another of my faults? And vii
my face prevent my getting my brea
and butter? 1 must indeed be pc
culiarly untitled to live in this world.
Major Floyd felt the awkwardness Q
: the position. He could not say she, an,