The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-04-17
CHAPTER XXX.


JUDITH PAYS DEBT AND IScURs ANOTHER.
81 have some money for you,D said
the Major, when Judith and he had
walked themselves tired, and were rest
ing from their labors in the shade oi
Woodward's oaks, while the boys were
gone of to take another look at the lions
and bears.
'Money for me? I do not understand
you"
Nevertheless 1 have made a plain
statement" returned the Major, tempo
rizing, and enjoying her surprise.
"But an incredible one, you must al
low. I don't know how you can have
money for me-" she said, regarding him
with questioning looks.
81 have disposed of your property to
acquire it," he returned, smiling at her
puzzled looks. "You had horse once;
but alas, you have not one now"
''Coaly? Did you really bring Coaly
to San Francisco? and have you sold
him, poor fellow? There goes the last,
the very last Of my old friends" she
added, with regretful tones.
lThe circumstances were urgent. A
young lady of my acquaintance had
spent her fortune on clothes, and had
become reduced to extreme want-of
money. 1t was a question whether I
should keep Coaly, as a souvenir from
this thoughtless young woman, or re-
lieve her distresses by selling him for
two hundred dollars, coin"
Two hundred dollars Oh, how
fortunatep exclaimed Judith, as ra-
diant as if it had been two hundred
thousand; and clasping her hands she
regarded the person who had brought
her this golden gift as If he were a
phantom Of delight" Directly, how
ever, her countenance fell.
"I am afraid ought to decline taking
it," she said, rather nervously; "I do
not quite feel as if it were my own; for
Coaly really belonged to you. You paid
for him. Pray, tell me if ought TO
take the money, if it is NINE"
Certainly. Paying for stolen prop
erty does not make it mine; that is my
ill-luck But it will not bankrupt me
to lose two hundred dollars, and it
might the young lady was speaking of.
How long do you imagine this money
ought to last careful young person ?'
'I haven't the least idea," answered
Judith, looking rather foolish. 'How
long should you say ?n
'In cheap boarding-house, such as
we were talking of the other day." said
the Major, kicking at the grass, ''ii
might pay your board, without fire, ol
clothing, or books, or a ear-ride on {
wet day, or the privilege of lectures ol
church, or flower to smell at some
times, for three-fourths of year. In ;
little improved circumstances, say with
a fire when you need it, and an occa
sional ride in q street-car, with new
pair Of shoes or gloves, quite rarely, /
can be made to stretch over five months
As you live at present, not more thai
two. You see lam good at figures ?"
Judith had followed with changing
expressions of countenance the Major
very busIness-like statement; and whe
it was ended gave a smothered sigh c
relief.
"But five months, or even two, woul
give me chance to learn something TO d
by which ] could earn more. 1t Onl.
remains now to choose what it shall be.
"And in making your choice yo
must remember that the more profitabl
the calling you choose, the longer
will take you to perfect yourself in il
A year is a short time in which I
acquire any business pursuit"
At this warning Judith's eountenanc
fell again. 1t was evident, she reflected
that her two hundred dollars must b
carefully boarded; and she had certai
misgivings of her talent for hoardin,
Besides, the constantly recurring que
tion Of what was best to do, was freshl
urged upon her by this conversation.
awe look very serious, to have ju
come into our fortune" remarked Il
Major; at which she smiled, with an e
fort not to be dull.
"You told me the other day." 81
said, timldly, ''that might ask aLol
a certain way to my desires. Is this
this money!"
The Major regarded her with fac
tious expression. ''Not quite ]" he sal
with a laugh not altogether pleasan
81 have changed my mind, too, abol
pointing out that way Immediately.
prefer to come in as a deraier resor
after Mrs. Brazee, and the babies. b
sides, you might not like my way. L
you know" he continued. with
watchful look, "that shall expect TO
turned out of my place as regulator
your affairs, by Mr.. Shultz.~
"Mr. Shultz!n exclaimed Judi,l
coloring. "Mr. Shultz can have potl
ing to do with my affairs. Nv a
quaintance with that gentleman w
brought about by circumstances. a,
discontinued by circumstances"
"And may be renewed by circur
stances"
Judith was silent. She would u
take back the friendly encomiums $
had once laYished on this man; for th