The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-11-12
Written for the New Northwest
SIMPLE JUSTICE.
BY MRS. OLIVE f. M'coRD.


throp, as he handed his wife one he had
just brought from the Office, post
marked Bennington, Vermont.
''Ah! yes; from sister Sarah,p re-
marked Mrs. Winthrop, as her quick
eye caught the well-known hand-writ-
ing; 81 hope her situation has improved
ere this, and John is in good health
once more"
Her husband had by this time seated
himself comfortably in his favorite po-
sition on the cool piazza, and had
opened a fresh copy of the Chicago
Tribune, when an exclamation Of sur
prise from his wife arrested his atten-
ton. .t.
"NO bad news, hope? ?"
eyes; John is Dead" replied Mrs.
Winthrop, in husky voice.
'Ts it possible? ?' exclaimed Mr..
Winthrop. "He has been fraH for
long time, know, but did not think,
from your sisters last letter, that he
was in any particular danger"
$50 she writes now, but listen while
1 read her letter."
DEAR SISTER EvELYN:-When I wrote you
last little thoughtI should so soon be called
to pass through such dark waters as now
threaten to overwhelm me and the helpless lit
tie ones that are enowdependento on my sole care,
or, rather, wish might be permitted so to be.
John died on the first day OF May, and the only
excuse have for not writing TO you sooner is
that have had so many griefs and difficulties
to contend against that have had no time for
anything else. Noone had the least thought
that he was in any immediate danger, but the
morning OF the first he was taken very sud
denly with a severe pain in his head, which
seemed to affect his eyes so that he became
blind and unconscious of everything around
him. I sent for bis physician Immediately,
but he could give me no hope and at twenty
minutes of nine in the evening he breathed his
last, still unconscious of everything around
him. It seemed so dreadful that could hardly
realize that il was not al terrible dream;
that he who had been 20 noble and so kind
husband and friend should be thus snatched
from US; this, too, when our hopes Of his per-
manent recovery were becoming certainty.
OH it seemed more than 1 could endure. But
you will scarcely believe me when tell you
that this dear husband, so unselfsh and de-
voted to us in the strength and glory of health,
had been dead and hidden from our sorrowing
sight only a short time when another distress
assailed us, in the form of pecuniary oppres-
sion, and in a manner for which was not pre-
pared. Ny husbands long illness rendered it
necessary for me to make an examination into
my affairs, 10 decide upon proper course to
pursue, in order that might begin arrange
ments for our maintenance. Twas informed
that the law would provide for my children;
that guardians would be appointed for them;
and remarked in my surprise that 1 thought
a mother understood the wants of her children
better than any one else could. was informed
that 1t was not supposed that woman would
know anything OF business affairs, and that the
lawful course for me was to select some re-
sponsible gentleman to take the matter in
hand. In the shock OF the moment asked,
in the bitterness Of my soul, if too would be
compelled TO place myself, with all my affairs,
under the direction of some protector. was
cOolly Informed that lawyer would attend TO
the management of the property, and thus
should be saved further trouble with it, and
the prospects are very fair that such will be the
case, for as matters are now, shall be without
a home, just when need one most. Death has
remorelessly claimed my treasured husband
and tender friend, and an almost equally re-
morseless law has bereft me of home and
its surroundings. I am stricken with humila-
have sheltered myself and my little ones from
unnecessary evil. SARAH HAzLEToN.
Bennington, July 49, 1866.
"Well, that is hard" said Mr.. Win
throp, after painful silence of several
moments.
ayes, and how foolish and totally un-
necessary, too," replied his wife, "when
chn hoE ,Ls
for herself and family under the trials
that have attended them ever since
Johns sickness. For two years she has
managed admirably indoors and out,
so that everything has been comforta-
bly, prosperous; surely she could do as
much now"
''Yes, she has done well; but ther
you know, Evelyn, that John has most
of the time been able to attend to finan.
cial matters, such as giving and signing
business papers" - .-stya- ata
'And what reason have you for think
ing that Sarah could not have done a!
well? She is not educated, in the stric
sense of the term, but she is well en-
dowed with that useful commodity
common sense" ~ -. -sg s.i
ayes, but the law does not recOgniz,
woman as competent for such affairs
and consequently the law makes pro
vision for such cases. She might AM
should be appointed administrator, ant
then, when everything is properly ar
ranged, she would receive third of al
that remained; so 1 think that every
thing is very fairly arranged, all thing
considered r95s=. 20,
"'AH things considered" repeate
peated Mrs. Winthrop, in tone {
questioning surprise. "What do 20
mean by that ?" .t
''Why, feminine ineompetency relat
ing to financial affairs. 1t is general
accepted that women can know nothin
Of these matters.p 81. s.a.t.i
HPerhaps it is" replied Mrs. Win
throp, "but not by women" r.
lawmakers aim to be just,u sal
Mr.. Winthrop, ''and it is to shiel
women from care and responsibilit,
that these laws are framed, and it is 70
Ds tn abide by them