The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-03

accepted his proffered arm and mounted
the stage. A dress of azure blue became
her pearl-tinted complexion, and the
oblique rays of the sun, as they penciled
amber hues in her golden curls, orna-
mented by a simple white rosebud, so
enhanced her ethereal beauty that the
audience fancied she looked angelic.
"Adversity and its Benefits" was the
subject of her manuscript, and many
were the encomiums of praise lavished
upon this, her first triumphant public
effort. She read with remarkable ease
and accuracy, and the gentle modula-
tions of her tremulous voice added
power to the effect of her beautiful,
philosophic reasoning. The audience
was pleased, astonished. And when in
formed at the close of the exercises that
the youthful writer had attended school
but two months in as many years, they
could scarcely credit the assertion.
"Prosperity and its Pleasures" called
out the professor as soon as the hum OF
applause and congratulation had sub
sided. If Efie had appeared ethereal,
as she stood upon the stage, Herbert, as
he feed the audience with his manu-
script held carelessly in his hand, GER
tainly had the appearance of practical
orator. He scarcely glanced at the writ
ten pages, but the words seemed to come
forth without the slightest effort, as if
they were the instantaneous creations
of his own deep mind, uttered without
a previous thought. He had grown
tall, and his manly figure was displayed
to good advantage in a modest suit OF
broadcloTh. His face was sunburnt be-
low the eyes, but the dark curls were
thrown back from his marble brow,
stenciled with lines of thought; and his
boyish face lost all Juvenile expression,
as he became warmed and fired with
the increasing interest of his subject.
"Who is to have the premium ?'
queried Mr.. Barton, when the deafening
applause began to die away in distant
echoes.
''They're half an half" exclaimed a
stentorian voice at the door which Her
bert and Effie thought was familiar.
''Those of the audience who think Miss
Goodwin's effort the most successful,
will please arise"
'T say they're half an half" repeated
the same loud voice.
No one arose. The same proposition
was made in behalf of Herbert's compo-
sitiOn, but no one responded. Barthol-
omew Barton, A. NJ, was sorely puzzled.
He knew how they ought to vote, but
could not frame his vocabulary into the
proper phrases, without some little re-
/ Election.
'Tell them that thinks they're hall
an half to rise, an see if there amt a
commotion," vociferated the same
outsider.
''That's it," smiled one of the digni-
taries, and the listeners, with one accord,
arose to their feet.
81 wish now, that I had treated Efffe
more like lady," whispered-NIrs. Nun
son to her husband. "But she is now in
her native element, showing off her
Wanted beauty. She's nothing after all,
but medley of affectation and i'm
pertinence."
Nothing but envy, or the most bitter
hatred, could have excited such q
remark.
There was to be musical entertain
ment in the evening, and the exhibition
adjourned until seven o'clock.
"Halloa, 'Erbert."
"Cdptain Gray!"
ats me, that's fact-sure as fallinI
off of log"
"When did you come to the city ?'
81 happened along to-day, an hearn
what was goin' on, an thought I'd
come and see the performance. I alters
thought ye'd make a mark in the world
but didn't expect ye'd begin so soon u
81 did not expect it myself; but most
of the students are SO averse to writing
compositions, that it requires no great
effort to excel them.n
~ thought ye was in the Mines"
~ aOas in the mines, but was so sue.
cessful that returned, and started tc
/, school about month since"
''That's the right kind of grit, my boy;
the right kind of grit. Efy's up to ye
in smartness, if she is of the female per.
suasion.n
'pm proud of her." said the brother
fondly, as he turned from his backwoods
friend to watch her fluttering move.
ments among the congratulating throng
of ladies.
"Well ye may be proud of her, fol
she's pretty as she's smart. She's ahead
of anything pve seen for many a day.
'Thank you, Captain Gray. How are
your folks prospecting ?"
"They're alive an kickin'. They
took in a heavy dose in the way o.
dinner yesterday. 1 guess they'll make
the rifle"
"How do you like farming here, il
comparison with farm life in Illinois p
"Well, it's about after the same ole
sort-that is, since got my land open
, don't have to feed the stock much il
} winter, and that's some of an advantage
! in my eye. My constitution can bear 6
; good deal of ease, though old Gray's s
snorter to work when his hands in. Ny