The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-11-03
The Literary Wife.

in the State of New York? [ will give
you brief description of the place. 1t
is thriving village situated on river
of the same name-one of the many
places the names of which are those
given to the locality by the aboriginal
inhabitants that, prior to the intrusion
of the pale-faces, roamed in conscious
freedom over the land the Great Spirit
hadgiven them. 1t is place of consider
able business. Iron and leather are man
ufactUred in large quantities, and quite a
number of retail stores furnish the in
habitants with. the necessary comforts
Of life. The surroundings are pictur-
esque and grand. High mountains rear
their heads in grandeur Oh either side,
like guardian sentinels over the unpre-
tending hamlet.
In the immediate vicinity are fine
farms, with large orchards, that in
spring are fragrant and blooming with
the promise of luscious fruit, which the
autumn realizes. In autumn, too, the
broad acres of golden grain gladden. the
heart of the husbandman, as he realizes
a bountful reward for his toll.
Here our heroine dwelt. You will
doubtless be glad to learn something of
her history. Her fathers name was
Charles Reynolds. He owned store in
Lackawack, and was a man of business
abilities, much respected for his sterling
integrity and moral worth. The part
ner of his joys and sorrows possessed
those traits of character which cOnsti-
tute true womanhOod. During the fif-
teen years of their married life, they
were blessed with four children (; but
the grim monster snatched all save a
honnhfar ErnnEfiFna hKyT frOna hai ir
embrace.
When ErnestiBe was fourteen years
of age, Mr.. Reynolds died. Our herione
ands her mother continued to live in
their beautiful cottage home in the sub
urbs of the town. Mr.. Reynolds was a
man of taste, and fitted up his home
with reference to convenience and
beauty. Jasmines, Virginia creepers and
other vines clambered over the roof; the
front yard was decorated with flowers
shade trees, and gravel walks. In the
rear of the dwelling was good-sizeC
orchard of well-selected fruit, and patch.
es of strawberries and other small fruit
that, with but little care or labor, af.
forded them desirable luXuries.
By economy and industry, combined
with a small income from Mr.. Rey.
nolds' estate, the mother and daughter
were able to maintain themselves il
comfortable circumstances. Ernestint
had early manifested an unusual apti
tude for acquiring literary and scientific
knowledge. Her advantages for obtain
ing an education had been only those
afforded by the village school, and the
instruction of her girted and educated
mother. She was twenty years of agt
at the time we introduce her to the
reader.
We have now another character t.
make you acquainted with: ALFRED
Trentman. He was reared in a rura
district. His father was farmer of linn
tied means, and found that it required
diligent application to business, as wei
as frugality, to rear large family. HI
managed to supply them with all the
necessary comforts of life, and took es
pecial care to provide them with advan
tages for obtaining a sufficient amount
of education to qualify them for filling
positions of usefulness and respectable
ity.
Alfred early manifested an aptitude
and ability for the mercantile business
as well as distaste for the avocation o
the farmer. His judicious father al
lowed and encouraged him to pursue
bhdt SdAlluS W hnlCu u6 6eSm6u Illus
naturally inclined. At the age of six
teen be was placed in a store in villag,
a few miles distant. Here, for thre,
years, he gave careful attention to bust
ness, and by his honesty, industry ant
integrity won the confidence and re
spect of his employers. He gained /;
good practical knowledge of the mercan
tile business, as well as bookkeeping
At the age Of nineteen he went to th,
city of New York, into an establishment
owned by an intimate friend of hi
fathers. At this place he remained fivt
years, his salary increasing each success
siVe year. Al this time he made arrange
ments to go into business for himself.
Five years previous, he went to tn,
village of Lackawack, partly on bust
ness, to see after some debts that wert
due his employers, and partly for re
creation. Here, during his stay, b,
formed the acquaintance of our heroine
be was captivated by her amiability, in
telligence and purity of character. Err,
hereturned to the city he made known t
Ernestine his preference for her, anC
found that it was reciprocated. He had
during his stay in the quaint country
town, been a frequent visitor at our her
oine's comparatively humble home, and
being shrewd judge of character
justly came to the conclusion thai
mother and daughter were far superior
to the gaudy butterflies of fashion will
whom, since his residence in the city
ne had associated. AT his departure