The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-10
CHAPTFR XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Eagle Cove was indeed ''looking up.u
A party Of railroad magnates from the
East had entered the place and taken
qnarters for the time being at the
Sailors Rest, making treble work for
poor Aunt Molly Seabank, whose new
baby was only ten days old At the time
of their advent. These magnates ad-
vanced money freely for the purpose of
whitewashing sad furnishing suite of
rickety rooms, and Aunt Molly was
too happy over the prospect of securing
few Of the luxuries of civilization for
her own home, of which she sometimes
caught glimpses in others, to mind such
a trifie as her own bodily infirmities,
when by personal sacrifice she could
earn little money that she might con-
troll and use in somewhat beautifying
her husbands dreary abode. But the
extra toll brought on q sudden attack of
alarming illness, and Alba Carson, for
getting the feud in which the toil-worn
mother had taken active part against
hCASCll anu lAOod LlGGY lClib lAlC vi
her peculiar skill to benefit her ignorant
enemy, and by untiring efforts nursed
her back to life, albeit she was but a
wreck of her former self, her pale, hag
gard face bringing out the freckIes in
bolder relief than ever upon the fiabby
outlines of her expressionless face.
Much to the disgust of few sovereign
people, of whom Jonas Ebenezer Sea-
was specimen, number of Cinnamon
found the new town in their wanderings
in search of work, and one of them was
employed by Mrs. Carson to do duty in
Aunt Molly's kitchen, while another
was installed as chamberlain.
Jonas Ebenezer grew furious over
such unheard-of extravaganza.
''I never imagined such thingp' he
urged. "My old woman always does all
the work, up stairs and down-washing,
ironing, waiting on table and alI-when
she's up. These Cinnamon will ruin
the women. won't stand it,"
"But somebody must do the work of
this inn, Mr.. Seabank. Clearly your
wife cannot, for she won't be out of her
bed for month. You don't seem dis
posed to do it, and assure you WON'T"
off Rosa-whars her name ?-that
tramp that's gone to Frisco after gew-
gaws to turn the women's heads, had
been willing to take the place, she could
have done all the work." said Jonas
Ebenezer, resting himself, as was his
wont, upon bench in the disordered
kitchen.
"But Rosa what's her name didn't
choose the position, Mr.. Seabank, and
you had no power to compel her to take
it; so the Cinnamon were your next and
only alternative. If I were in Aunt
Molly's place, I'd keep them always"
"Aild break yOur husband upH roared
Jonas Ebenezer, rising to sitting
posture in the fury of his Indignation,
and looking upon the daring innovator
into his domestic realm with whitening
contempt.
"See here, Mr.. Seabank," and Abba
Carson seemed in no wise intimidated
over the situation, 'have you never
wondered what would become of you
and your seven or eight young ones il
Aunt Molly should die 9''
"Die, indeed! What would she be
dying for, I'd like to know? It's wom-
ans lot to bear children and take care OF
them. Molly's always had good con-
stitution"
"But it's broken down now, Mr.. Sea-
bank. You may well congratulate your
self that Cinnamon have found you
else you would be compelled 10 do Aunt
Molly's work yourself"
"What, 'Bia ?" and the half-drunE
landlord trembled violently. 'Do you
really think Molly's in any danger9"
"She may get up and oversee China.
men, but she'll never do your work
again."
"That's all notion, madam. Comes
of your new-fangled theories aboul
wOman's sphere, and all that If you
won't put such idees into her head shell
soon be all right"
But, somehow, it didn't get to bt
''all right' with Aunt Molly. The
brawny arms grew moreand more bony
the cheek-bones higher yet, the shoul
der-blades more prominent, and the
breast more sunken, while sort o
spiritual light of resignation beameC
from the wreck of her once defiant littl,
eyes, as she cooed tenderly to her wall
ing latest born, and ''thanked God tha
it was boy, and would have an easie
time in the world than its poor mothe
had ever known"
Abba Carson's daughter Lena wa
such a treasure in her mothers homt
that the good little woman was enabled
to leave her own family in her care fo
the greater portion of the day, not only
to take care of poor Aunt Molly in he
protracted illness, but to look after th,
welfare of the railroad men, who's,
rooms became marvels of rustic beaut,
under her thoughtful suggestions anC
ingenious haDdiwork.
"Some women are born to boss tn,
men," said Mrs. Captain Mason. +"
declare that 'Bia Carson has more influ
auoa Ovar ovarxy mo N eI,o N, oot- .kI,-.S -.