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

ltosa," said Alba Carson, as the latter
entered the front room where the ever
busy housewife had thrown herself
upon the bed, in her feebleness forget
ting that she might muss the marvellous
patchwork guilt that adorned it. ''The
baby is four weeks old to-day, and
haven't a particle of strength. 1 tried
to do out little washing this morning,
but had to give it up. Oh, how my
head aches v'
"I should say that it isn't to be won
dered at that you are breaking down,
my dear friend. You seem to forget
that the elasticity of youth gives way. as
we grow older. There is no reason why
you shouldnot rest. A woman who has
gone into the family business as steep
as you have done, ought not to try to
cheat a Chinaman out Of his washing
bills"
81 know; but Josiah is trying to
build a new house, and we shall want to
urnish it, and there are so many ex-
penses-Oh, mercy! my head %
Now, want to know whether it is
ynu or Josiah who is trying to build the
new house, when you are robbing your
self of health, and possibly your chill
dren of mother, to perform the hardest
( Fhysical drudgery, even when you are
sie'5. Much good your new house will
10 you when you fall away into the
grave, after having killed yourself to get
gilded cage for Mrs. Carson number
two. ldon,t wonder there are so many
mean husbands in. the world, when a
naturally good one, like Josiah Carson,
hes wife that voluntarily sets an ex-
ample of abused wifehood. But forgive
me, Abba, dear; wouldn't hurt your
feelings for anything on earth, except to
make you save your life. Can I do any
thing for your head?"
mo; that iseyou may try TO keep
the house quiet. guess you'll find
something for your supper. L helped
about it all could. The children do
first-rate, but they are only children"
Tired and worn as Rosa was with the
days arduous duties, she proceeded at
once in an attempt to nurse the over
tasked mother into the forgetfulness of
sleep. Josiah Carson had gone out in
the Lighter" that morning to take in
tow schooner that he had been anx-
iously expecting for several days, and,
owing to some accountable cause, he
bad. not yet got home. .-ssI sa a-s4..,
Harry, would you mind going to the
Cove to take this note to Major Lind
sey ?" said Rosa Lee. ''There is no
probability now that your father will
return tonight, and feel that it is not
safe to be left alone with your mother.
She has a burning fever, and the doc
tors gone"
e. 'T'll golf sis will" said Master Harry,
shrinking back from the growing dark
ness.
An hour later, when Rosa had fed and
undressed and bathed and put the
younger children in their beds, the
DIOluGT
and sister, and it was well that he did.
Mrs. Carson's fever increased to raging
delirium, and it required all the MAJORS
strength to keep heron the bed. Wash
ing and ironing, dish-washing and
scrubbing, baking, churning, candle
moulding, fruit-preserving, butter
working, soap-making, plain sewing,
patchwork, needle-work, and the babies
were her constant themes of incoherent
,onversation. Now she would imagine
herself in the midst of heavy washing,
Tn again, hanging out clothes in the
wini and rain; and then, as the feeble
wall of the colic-burdened baby smote
lPqlry her bewildered senses, she would
make believe that she was carrying it
upon. her hip while welding the heavy
churn-dasher. And thus, the night
through she raved and struggled, while
the weary watchers waited for the
morning.
"You must get some sleep Gussie,n
said the Major after midnight. "My la
ber is light and profitable, and 1 can
sleep tomorrow. Yours is hard and
constant, and you cannot have the same
opportunity. Besides, am strong, you
know"
"But l don't want to leave you alone
with 'Bia when she is SO frightfully i'll.
It'wilTbe terrible lonely for you.''
..tsBm used to loneliness, 5lSassie.
Don't worry about me.p z7q.-tu
"Do you think Mrs. Carson is danger
oasly ilr?n = baa ssalslsss1 .szSgG
al do, Gussie.5 She has the worst form
of puerperal fever. Lhave some knowl-
edge Of the science of medicine, and
know whereof speak,"
Rosa sprsng to her feet. -''Then she
is doomed p she cried. ga woman sell
domrecovers from that fever. What will
become of her poor children ?"
Down in his heart. the Major, too,
was asking the same question.
zyssiShe,is the best aud ,truesJ friend of
my life ~ cried Rosa. ,iWh5t shall I
do without her ?p -, -,
{ Z Poor Gussiel IshOuld not have told
you ~ said the Major, compassionately.
"But you cannot save her life by sitting
here, and you will have treble need to
save your own for her children's sake
whend she is gone. Go to your room