The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-03-10
CHATTER XII.

accusing his household OF ingratltude.
The thought that he was under any OBJ
legation to Mrs. Morrison to protect her
children, now that she had become Mrs.
Andrews, did not once cross his brain.
"IU show herp' he Missed, between
his teeth, as he urged the mare forward,
failing, in his excitement, to realize the
flight of time; 'Tll git on spree thatll
last month! Catch me givin' in to a
lot o. womenn'
After a two hours ride the sun went
down, and the pale moon beamed
upon his fevered face with tranquiliz-
ing radiance, while the evening breezes
stirred his tangled hair, producing a
soothing effect, that for while seemed
to cool his excited senses.
"I'Il go back to Nancyr' he suddenly
exclaimed, aloud, as be quickly drew
the rein and half put his resolve into
execution. "No, won't go back" was
his next conclusion. "They'll think
they've conquered me if L do. The
neighbors won't stand it without grum-
blin' if 1 drive Madge away, neither,
hang it all! The very DEVILS in the
young one. Ifpd a. married her instead
o. the ole woman, I'd a. struck better
lead. AS my wife she'd a. been docile
enough once she was well broke in. Her
mothers not got any very strong p'ints
about her, and she'd be a purity fair
mother-in-law. But it's too late. l
married the wrong customer, an must
stand it, l s'pose."
Riding on, and Illuminating thus till
the evening was far spent, Jason at
length sought and obtained lodgings at
cabin by the roadside, where he con-
fided the story of his domestic woes to a
bevy of sympathizers, who were ready
atonce to stand by him and see that the
poor down-trodden man hereafter had
fair play. Much to his surprise, one of
the ladies of the household was a recent
arrival, and his mOther-in-law.
Poor Jason Andrews AS soon as be
was made aware of her proximity, he
felt himself growing very red in the
face, while his heart rose like great
lump in his throat.
"Whatr' he exclaimed. "PolIy Per-
kins here! never heerd of it,"
"She came here several days ago."
explained an old woman, who knocked
the ashes from her pipe as she paused
in her speaking, and then leisurely re.
lighted it, while Jason fidgeted uneasily
in his chair. "She got as far as The
Falls" continued the woman, "cominl
by steamer; and rough trip she had o
it, too. She's been tryin' for two o
three months to get chance to go frou
The Falls to her grandchildren. Sht
grIeves about 'em great deal"
'Can I see her?" asked Jason, a
deferentially as though be had neve
dragged her daughter away from he
by force, and hid her in the wilderness
in spite of her protest, till she died; a
though he had always loved and cher
ished that daughter, and religiously ful
filled his marriage contract; as thougl
he had never vowed to have nothin
more to say to the mother under an
circumstances.
"rm glad he's coming to his senses,
said the mOther-is-law, to herself, 9
she, with heart swelling with grie
stood listening in an adjoining room.
Then, advancing, she stood in h
presence and offered her hand. Ho'
hard it was to greet him thus, with ell
forced calmness, let other mothers wh
have passed through similar ordeals a
tempt to answer.
"How d'ye?" and Jason hung b
head.
Mrs. Perkins could only sob in silenc
"When did ye leave the States ?"
Jason asked the question as thong
the words were just ready to stick in h
throat.
"As soon as got word that-that
that you would speak to me; and vile
[ heard that Mary was dead. 1 didn
get the letter till it was five years oil
1t came one day while was out of Il
house for a moment, and the neighb
that brought it put it between Il
leaves of a book that was seldom opene
1t was very strange that it should ha
been overlooked so long. sometim
fear that there's no just God in heave
Why should God permit my child to
torn from me and dragged away, wi
her band of little ones, among wi
beasts and wild Indians ?"
The speech, though natural under t
circumstances, was very imprude
one to make. 1t only reused the slur
bering ire of the son-in-law and ga
him an excuse for being ugly.
'Pve got one woman-yes, two
'em-at home that well-nigh nag t
life out o. me now, an Pll put up wi
no more nonsense, madam ~ he sa
sternly.
"What, Jason? Are you MARI
again ?" and the mother-in-law turn
deathly pale.
Indeed, it was little wonder that s