The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-28
CHAPTER Xxx.

AS Madge had predicted, Jason An
drews reached home by nightfall, out of
humor with himself and all the world.
While away from home, he had been so
far under the restraint of law and Gus
tom, that he had been compelled to
forego many of the bitter moods with
which the drinking man is often
tempted to make his presence intolera-
ble; but, in his own legal home, where
his supreme authority was acknowl-
edged by the supreme law of the land,
he needed no self-restraint to compel his
family to endure his infiictions, whether
of temper or power; and so, all the pent-
up bitterness of a mind and body
wrecked by alcoholic beverages, and
stranded at last upon the shoals of i'm
pecuniosity, was poured like vials of
wrath upon the devoted household.
"When the old man is drunk, we can
grin and bear it," said Harry. otis his
gettin' sober that plays the deuce"
"What do you think of the baby ?"
asked Madge, after he had partaken of
a bountiful supper, and, for wonder,
come to lull in his grumbling.
81 hain't any use for that brat ~
growled the parent. "How we're goin'
to feed so many mouths is more'n can
fathom."
'Food don't cost half as much as
drink" said Madge, "and we seem to
manage to supply one mouth with a
good deal of that last commodity some
times"
"George Hanson'll be here pooty soon
to take We away Ye can depend Oh
that m said the step-fatner, exultantly.
''I don't harbor no mans wife agin his
will; an I know he'll be after takin'
possession of his property"
"Mother, can't you protect me?" cried
Madge, falling upon the floor and clasp
ing her mothers knees in terror and
agony.
"Alas, child am powerless."
''Pll run away J" cried Madge.
"There amt no Canada ~ sneered the
step-father, "an' now git. If yer lawful
husband sees me harborin' Ye round
my house, he'll prosecute me to the ex-
treme of the law"
az will go v' cried Madge, resolutely.
"Don't worry about me, mother.
must have little time, with your per-
mission, Mr.. Andrews, to gather little
bundle of clothing together. 1 shan't
need much"
30, Madgey, darling, what do you in
tend to do?" asked her mother, in
alarm.
"Never fear, mother. I shall take
care of myself"
"But I can't live without you, my
precious child"
"You can, mother, and you must
You'll be brave for my sake. A little
while ago was fearful and irresolute
Now I am brave and strong, and so ar,
you. Don't grieve, please. Already
can see light at the top of the chasm
1 can't tell where twill lead me; but III
follow it and trust"
The parting with the numerous mem
bers of the family was especially affect
ing. To all of their inquiries as to he
plans and prospects, Madge could onl!
answer, 81 cannot tell, because do no
know"
Her entire worldly possessions, ex
cept the clothing she wore, were tied il
. bo.dono b,ndLorol,;of +bot bod bao,
her fathers. With this bundle sh
started forth, just as the gray twiligh
was mellowing itself into pale radi
ance that flooded the earth from tn
silver beams of the harvest moon.
mo Canada" she whispered to hel
self mo Canada for fugitive wives t
flee to. Jason Andrews is well awar
of that fact. Whittier shall I go
L thought life was all before me whe
I stole away from home SO short
time ago, on an occasion so unlike thi
one, that both then and now seem lik
a dream. know that life is all benin
me now"
"I can't 60 to the parson's," she col
tinued. "George may return to-nigh
Pve been expecting him for two (
three days. 1 might walk to whel
Alice lives before morning, but he'd
sure to seek me there. | know Of
cabin in the timber where Jason and
and the boys used to make shakes ar
shingles. I can fasten the men al
panthers out of that, and Pm not afra
Of snakes and squirrels. Luckily I'll
weather's warm"
Thus Illuminating, she ran along Il
lane till she came to the edge Of the 70
est, where, pausing to take farewe
view of the scenes of her childhood, 81
stood for moment irresolute.
"Oh !" she walled, "what have I dol
that should thus be fleeing, like
guilty creature, from that home the
hands have builded? ? pve lifted eve
rail that made these fences. I cut al
hewed the very logs that are grown
moss-covered in my mothers cabi
I've milked the cows, sheared the shee
fed the chickens, tended the lambs a.
children, and in all things been my os