The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-12-08

that you will care for her as her hus-
band does. A wife belongs to her hus-
band, you know"
oI know" sighed Mrs. Rutherford,
STOPPING to wipe her eyes with her wet
apron; "but, husband or no husband,
can't forget the long years of her child
hood, the sweet ways of her babyhood,
the terrors of her birth, and the antici-
pations have felt for her future. If a
mother must yield up all claim to her
child as soon as the child is married,
there ought to be provision in nature
to uproot her fond affection at the same
moment. But my scrubbing is done
now. Let's go into the dining-roOm
where the fire is. Solon won't be at
home to-day, and we can have chance
to lay some plans"
The two had scarcely had time to be
seated before Aunt Judy's rubicund face
appeared at the door.
"Come and see what have bought,
Susan," she exclaimed, not knowing
John was by. "Four yoke O. cattle, a
splendid wagon, provisions enough for
six months, a tent and camp fxings,
and Pve made up my mind to go with
em myself"
John shFank behind the door and his
heart beat high with hope.
"Edna's strong willed, and isn't half
disposed to be just to John. He's no
Solomon, but he can be managed"
Mrs. Rutherford put her fingers on
her lips and the sentence was not fin
ished. John wondered what it all could
mean.
"What little household plumber !
have doesn't amount to much, and can
give it away" continued Aunt Judy;
land you know 1 can control the team
if it remains in my name, for I'm not
married, whereas, if John knew it was
Edna's-n
"John is here ~ interrupted Mrs.
Rutherford, turning deathly pale.
Aunt Judy saw the situation in a
twinklipg.
81 was just going to say" she said,
extending her hand with a smile, "that
if Solon knew the team and outfit Tve
been buying was for Edna, he could
give US trouble"
81 don't see how he could give us
trouble about anything that belonged OF
right to my wife ~ said John.
Aunt Judy was nonplussed. If Edna's
husband did net comprehend her rUSe,
he was certainly informed as to his OWL
legal prerogatives.
"At any rate" she continued, "the
easier way is the better one. This team
and outfit is mine, and, if you want tc
go to California, now is your time. &c
home and tell Edna all about it. Pl
be along presently, and We'll soon be OIL
our way across the Continent. Pm go
ing with you"
John obeyed Aunt Judy's suggestion
with alacrity. He was not at heart {
bad man. Indeed, his natural impulses
were for good, and, had he been prop
erly trained to rely upon himself, rathe
than depend upon an allowance tina
had, prior to his marriage, rendered per
sonal effort for subsistence unnecessary
his case would have been by no means
hopeless one.
With a much lighter heart than b.
had carried an hour before, he retrace,
his steps, and bounding into Aun
Judy's abode in a manner that fright
ened the dog and caused the cat to spi
and grumble, he shouted:
Eureka, Edna We're off to-mor
row for the setting sun Aunt Judy's
brick, if she is Sold-fashioned and pokey.i
"Much prospect I see for getting off!
said Edna, rising from the hearth wit
her face flushed from bending over tn
hot Goals, where she had been bakin
dodgers" for the last ten minutes.
2 ''The old woman's got the team an
the outfit complete. l heard her say 81
And Mrs. Rutherford put her finger o
! her lip and warned her to keep still, {
p Pd have gotten into the whole secre
, Depend upon it, they're putting up som
job on that refractory dad o. yours, an
are trying to keep me in the dark, &
q well. pll go to California, but pll fin
r out what they're up to-"
: ''My mother and Aunt Judy will a
tempt nothing that is not honest, Johl
and you will show your good sense,
Il you have any, by holding your tongu
n over that which doesn't concern yol
Il You know the team isn't yours, and
they give you and me the joint use
it, common courtesy, to say nothing
o gratitude, will keep you from meddlir
n in their private affairs"
v 81 heard Aunt Judy say the outfit WI
. Edna's," said John, aside, "and if it
: hers it's mine, and. what's mines m
own. Phi have no wife o. mine ownir
Y property and holding it over me Th
h outfits worth a cool thousand to sta
on. John Smith, you're a lucky dog
q A day or two of hustle and prepar
. ton, and all was ready for the jou
10 ney.
At that time the Pacific Railroad WI
y only creature of ambitious imagin
,, tions. Hundreds and thousands of a
venturous pioneers accomplished Il