The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-09
CHAPTER XVI.

L ne MOEh dOOuI the new mousse anu
grounds progressed rapidly. Madge
seemed inspired by determination even
more firm and unflinching than had
characterized her earlier years. Jason
he were her subordinate in all things.
Alice, subdued and humbled by her own
sad experiences, was tractable and
obliging, and Mrs. Andrews was too
happy in enjoying the society of her
long-sundered and once more united
family to allow herself to fret as she
had formerly done concerning her mis-
mated situation.
The weeks and months wore on in
busy and yet monotonous and unevent-
full way, and when the autumn rains
came, with their blessings of verdure
and balmy south winds, the new quar-
ters, unpretentious and plain, but suffi-
ciently commodious for the large fam
ily's most urgent needs, were ready for
occupancy.
"How much more deeply we appre-
ciate what we possess when our own
hands have made it than when we are
compelled to depend upon somebody
else for its construction" said Madge,
as she eyed the new house with its Sc
verely simple furniture with look and
nod of supreme satisfaction.
eyes," replied Jason Andrews, "and
since I've resolved to be man again,
guess Well all get along first rate"
you'll succeed in your resolves if
you'll stay away from temptation, ia
son. Drunkenness, with you, has long
been a disease-so long that it has be-
come chronic. You are sure to fall into
a relapse if you give yourself the least
opportunity"
'No more relapses for me, Madge.
I've acted the fool long enough"
Madge turned away, glad to look for
some excuse to change the conversation;
for she saw, intuitively, that though ia
son thought he was standing, he con-
sidered it no longer necessary to take
heed lest he should fall.
Considerable grain was yet in store in
the barn, and it became necessary to re-
move it to market without further de-
lay, owing to the fast-falling rains,
which would soon make the roads lead
ing to The Falls impossible.
1t was in vain that Madge urged ia
son to remain at home and permit Sam
and Harry to remove the produce.
"You'n relapse if you attempt to put
yourself in the way of temptation" she
argued, earnestly.
"Pshaw! Madge! Dye think I'm a
baby?" he asked, petulantly.
you're more helpless in some re-
spects than If you were baby" was
the smiling rejoinder. Remember,
I'm your physician now. I've under
taken TO cure you, but 1 can't be re-
sponsible for the consequences if you
fail to obey directions"
But Jason was inexorable. Feeling
perfectly secure in his own fancied
strength, he yoked the oxen, loaded the
wagon, and made preparations for his
journey.
mother, you must accompany him
to town." said Madge. "It will never
do for US to trust him to go alone"
"I went with him once, at your sug
gestion, daughter, and ] don't propose
to attempt it again."
because wanted you to get off the
place for little relaxation was no rea
son why you should make blockheat
of yourself by marrying your teamsterv
was the indignant reply. "But yoJ
needn't be afraid of again committing
the folly" she continued, ''at least no
while Jason Andrews lives and adhere
to you more closely than forty leeches.'
"But I can't 60 to town, Madge
You'd know I couldn't if you'd only
stop to think. The baby, you must re
member, is too little to leave at home
and certainly too young to travel will
in the autumn rains"
"Hhu' said Madge, az forgot tn
baby. But TU go to town if you can't
Somebody's got to look after the lega
head and support of this family, or he'll
get on a spree aud sell the team an
grain for whisky"
"But are you able to go, Madge ?" an
her mother gazed anxiOusly into he
carewOrn face.
cable? certainly. I was never BET
ter. If all women had as many irons il
the fire as / have, they'd have some
thing to think about to keep themselve
healthy. I've been on the verge of a.
awful illness fifty times this summer
But 1 obey the laws of nature, keep m
brain and body busy, and take care nc
to ooverwork, either, SO I M getting alon
splendidly. Then, too" and Madg
blushed with deep consciousness of th
weighty responsibility she was antic
pating, "I'll be owner of my own TAB
by and by, even as am now owner
my own body, with no master to mole,
me or make me afraid"
"Madge, you're the strangest grill
don't believe you're single bit Lib