The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-24
CHAPTER XVII

hhASA "bAAS hAOAulbe VI -OOhS
aboHnded was an immense coal-field,
which had but recently been developed,
and which attracted great numbers of
laboring men, who had cut an opening
through the mountains while digging
for and transporting the coal-an open
ing which the railroad managers had
taken advantage of upon which to lay
track for the coming iron horse. This
Toad-bed now formed an excellent track
for carriages, and Rosa Lee looked for
ward to the promised drive with pleas
urable anticipations.
But Eagle Cove was Mortified. The
:dea that the lone milIiner, of obscure
name and uncertain origin, should dare
TO monopolize the attentions of an ad-
vantageous "catch" like Major Lindsey
was too absurd for anything. 1t was
rumored that the Major was rich. Ger
tain it was that he was handsome, and
dozen or more of the village girls had
had their front locks cropped till they
lell over their eyes in a rakish way,
while the residue was tied up behind
with cheap ribbons of -gaudy hues and
frizzled ends, to attract him; and here
was this strange adventurer, who had
nothing to recommend her but quiet,
UnOstentatiOus demeanor and plain,
tidy apparel, without the least bit of
dash, and she was cutting them all out!
It a0aS too bad, but such things have
happened before.
Aunt Molly Seabank's daughter Jane
had just returned from a country
"academy'-of which the Northwest
can boast maryland the weary, worn
out mother saw no reason why she
might not captivate the distinguished
gentleman. But when all artifices
failed, and the Major went quietly
about his business, paying no particular
attention to any of the giggling girls he
met, the daughter Jane had concluded
he was not "marrying man." and had
gathered consolation, too, from her con-
clusions. But the sight Of the Majors
elegant pheton in front of the little
millinery store, and the immediate eX-
odus of the little occupant, who locked
the door and gave the clumsy key to her
companion, who gallantly assisted her
to a seat, dispelled the only remaining
hope, and the daughter Jane grew furi-
Gus.
Alba Carson had just entered the
room of the invalid landIady, and was
apologizing for her failure to attend
upon her as early as usual that day be-
cause she had been busy upon a suita-
bic carriage-dress for Rosa Lee, when
the daughter Jane interrupted her with
the exclamation:
"WeU! I've got my own opinion
about that forward piecer'
'Indeed?" and Alba Carson smiled
meaningly. 'Do you aIlude to Rosa
Lee ?n
Certainly do. Who else would be
so imprudent as to go buggy riding with
a mere stranger ?"
'I know somebody that would gladly
go if she'd only get an invitation" re-
piled the smiling lady, as she watched
the couple admiringly from the cham
ber window.
'Tm sure of one thing" sighed Aunt
Molly Seabank; az never shall be will.
ing for Mary Jane to marry working
man."
"Why? ?" asked Alba Carson, opening
her bright eyes widely. ''YOu know
she continued, "that Josiahs working
man, and no woman ever had better
husband than he has made"
''Thats 'cause you boss him, ant
there are few men that can stand thai
in a woman"
Mrs. Carson laughed merrily.
''The idea that I boss 'Siah is toe
funny for anythingw she exclaimed
"I never thought of such thing
Neither of us thinks of it. We try tC
consult each others interests, and W,
trust. each other and do right-that',
ALL"
"Well," sighed Aunt Molly, as soor
as she could speak, after a severe parox.
ysm of coughing, '''pm sure don't I'm,
derstand it. Before I'd let Mary Jan,
marry a common laboring man, anC
lead the life have, I'd poison her.n
"Your husband has never labored, ex
cept at his meals, since I knew him.
was the gOod-natured reply.
'Motherneedn'tf fret herself!" snapped
the snub-nosed daughter. ar propose t.
make my own matches.u
''Ah, child, p sighed the mother, tear
fully, 'ff you knew as much about tht
hardships of life as I could tell if you'c
listen, you wouldn't wonder that TX
rather see you dead than have yol
marry laboring man, or a poor man,
"0ne things certain-the jig's up 81
far as Major Lindsey is concerned" re
piled the dutiful daughter. 'Such mel
don't care snap o. your finger for girl
unless they're fast"
"See here ~ exclaimed Alba Carson
decidedly. ''There is one thing viii
not hear, and that is contemptuous in
situation against the reputation of Ros,
Lee. She was cast among us half
drowned, and but for a jewel upon he
finger, which my husband sold for he
at her request, was wholly desti