The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-11-12
VOLUME ".

for long time, and his business had, in
consequence, been much neglected in
caring for her, for he was most devoted
~ attached to her. Now, we will i'm
agine that as soon as his wife was dead
and buried, he had found himself sud-
denly accused and convicted of inca
pacity to attend to his affairs without
the hindrdnce-not help-of the law,
and when at last everything was ar
ranged to suit lawyers and the COM
munity generally, he would have gra-
ciously been rendered third of all that
remained, after every one else had been
appeased. In the mean time, his chill
dren, whom he tenderly loved, had been
withdrawn from his control, notwith-
standing his most earnest remonstrance.
Do you believe that he would have been
satisfied with such disposition of his
domestic and financial affairs ?"
"Why, most certainly should say
not,n replied Mr.. Winthrop.
"WelI, you can readily understand
that such a course is equally unpleasant
to woman in the same position"
''WelI, Evelyn, must confess you
have made out quite strong case; but
you forget" he continued, resuming his
usual imperious manner, which sur
prise at his wife's argument had mo-
mentarily thrust aside, 'that our wisest
statesmen have had this subject under
discussion, and have decided the matter
as it now stands, and who will dare to
question the wisdom of their decision
Besides, you will acknowledge that the
men of our land have ever been ready
to accord to the women a courtesy
equaled by no other nation"
"No," replied Mrs. Winthrop, with
evident depth of feeling, al do not for
get that our historians have failed to
record on their pages the names and
heroic deeds of women who gave to their
country everything they possessed,
husbands, fathers, children, and every
hope of present comfort, and in many,
very many instances, their own lives.
Neither do 1 forget that Mrs. John
Adams, to particularize, with her ex-
alted patriotism, courage and endur-
ance, her faith in Gods help and the
ultimate triumph in our country's
cause, did grand and noble part in the
moments of her country's agony; nor
yet that to Mrs. Madison was accorded
an honor such as has never been ac-
corded to any other American woman,
in that Congress conferred upon her the
franking privilege, and unanimously
voted her a seat upon the Senate floor
whenever she honored that body with
her presence"
"Well," said her husband, gazing at
her with amazement, "and was not
that a splendid feminine triumph ?"
''To her personally I grant that it
may have been, but l confess l never
think of it without humiliation and re-
gret that a nation whose history is
fraught with the accepted evidence OF
woman's noble endeavors in its cause
would dare to insult womanhood with
such a mockery."
"What would you have our law
makers do?" asked Mr.. Winthrop,
warmly. -
"Frame laws that shall prove more
substantial blessings to women than
empty honors ever can or will. Place
women, wives and mothers, on an equal
ity, politically, with their husbands"
Eyes, but some women are so reckless
and extravagant that to do this would
be their ruin," said Mr.. Winthrop.
"And would you wish the innocent,' p
rejoined his wife, ito suffer with the
guilty? Would you impose unmeriteC
punishment upon the wise and pruden
from which they cannot escape? DC
you not see that our lawmakers, by
their present course, place premium
upon extravaganza and inefiiciency
for if a wife cannot have and control, o
at least feel that she, in the hour of he
sorest need, can, independently of 9th
ersi enjoy the results of toll and econ
omy, where is the incentive for sucl
prudent forethought ?" ia-li T.
"0ne thing is certain" declared MI
Winthrop, with emphasis, tour law
are made by the people, and when hu;
bands and fathers enact laws it is fC
the benefit Of those for whose intere'
they feel the tenderest welfare, and ca
you doubt that they are anxious t
/ adopt measures that shall result benef
! Gently to those SO precious to them s''
''No, Norman, I do not doubt th
! good intentions of husbands and father
but did it never occur to you that yer
3 many Of those sent to legislate on ni
tional affairs are those whose professio
d it is to attend to litigation and thT
I win wealth and honor, aud, per consI
u quence, the more litigation the mol
wealth ?" at. -5uo.. .,s..- F.. af{t Z.
: nWell, it is of no use arguing th
= subject longeri you, at all events, al
2 safe enough" and Mr.. Winthrop
voice assumed its usual cool decisiv,
: ness, and he strode toward the harvei
fields to observe the progress made sinS
dinner. hd ual .i -a iIs- 10
! Mrs. Winthrop gathered up her wor
? and began preparations for supper, ju
r as the children arrived from. school, s
! ,l oafI n.