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

anu u lew nuuNIEu uOlldIS huiCu MI
Trentman was able to spare from his
business, a neat residence was purchased
in a genteel street, which was gift to
Mrs. Trentman in deed as well as in
name. Mrs. Reynolds accompanied the
young couple to the city, it being ar
ranged that her future home was to be
with them.
Previous to her marriage, Ernestine
had been in the habit of Writing anony-
nous articles in both prose and poetry
for country newspapers, and OCCASION
ally contributed for magazines. Three
months after they were settled in their
happy home, her husband one day re-
turned from his business, and entered
the parlor where his wife and her
mother were sitting. Ernestine exult-
antly handed him the latest number of
a popular magazine, and directed his
attention to a story she had written over
her own signature. Instead of the
smile of appreciation which she had
| fondly expected, his countenance was
darkened by frOwn; and, without
stopping to read more than the title,
and the home of the author, he returned
it with evident displeasure, and said, in
no very pleasant tone:
"I hope you will never be guilty of a
| like folly again. never could endure
! the thought that my wife is blue stock
| ing. 1t may be well enough for old
maids and widows, who have the ability,
/ to resort to this method of obtaining a
! livelihood but in my opinion, a mar
/ ried woman had better be employed in
overseeing her household affairs, which
are certain 20 be neglected if she dabbles
in literature"
So great was her disappointment that
it was hardly possible for Ernestine to
suppress her tears. By an effort she re-
tatned her composure, and soon retired
to her own room. Here she sat for some
time, thinking; finally her determina-
tion was taken.
az will show him." she soliloquized,
'tthat he is mistaken when be supposes
that literary ladies necessarily neglect
their household duties"
When they met at the supper table,
she was as cheerful as usual. She con-
fided her secret to no one save her
mother, who was proud of her daugh-
ter's ability as a writer, and encouraged
her to prosecute her plans.
Time went on. Mr.. Trentman often
congratulated himself on the neatness
and regularity manifested in his house
! uOlu dudlIS ne OllGu DESIOH GU LhCAilCu
praise on his wife for her excellent quail
ties as housekeeper, and more than once
playfully remarked that the present
happy state of things could not have
been expected had he not discouraged
her from employing her time in writing.
! On such occasions smile overspread the
countenances of Ernestine and her
mother, and meaning glance was ex-
changed by them which he did not by
any means understand.
Five years passed. The reading part
of the community were excited over the
productions of an unknown writer-ob-
viously female.
Alfred was lover of fine literature,
and, while he deprecated the idea of his
wife's being numbered among author
esses, he cheerfully furnished her with
their productions.
Three volumes from the pen of this
particular writer had been published,
and each one had Alfred made a present
to his wife, often expressing his admir-.
alton of her talents, and desire thai
he might cultivate her acquaintance.
A few months after the reception OF
the last volume, a financial crisis seri'
Ously affected many heavy capitalist:
for awhile. Alfred weathered the
storm, but he soon found that there was
imminent danger of his crafts being nc
longer able to stem the tide. Firms
deeply indebted to him failed, and he il
vain tried to obtain loans. Of course,
with the prospect of financial ruin be-
fore him, he became depressed and de-
spondent. He sought beneath happy
exterior to conceal his feelings, but the
quick eyes of affection penetrated the
disguise.
After a day of unsuccessful attempt tt
. avert his threatened doom, he returned
, to his home with the most fearful fore
bOdings, certain that ere another even
ing came he would be bankrupt.
! He made up his mind to tell his wife
the worst, and, seating himself beside
. her, broke the unhappy news as gently
as possible he could not but wonder a
the calmness with which she received
it. He even fancied he saw a smile OIL
her lips and a merry twinkle in he
eyes. He told her he had made every
effort to save himself, but in vain, ant
= that on the morrow his notes would bl
r protested, and then all would be owe
l with him.
2 Mrs. Trentman quietly asked hin
what amount he required.
2 He answered that three thousand dol
: lars in ready money would place him OF
2 firm footing again.
2 She arose from the sofa on which they
had been sitting, left the room, bu
2 soon returned, carrying in one hand th,
2 three volumes of her favorite authOress
in the other her bank book, containin,
D the account of her deposits, the proceed
/ of works she had written amounting t.
| over four thousand dollars.
As she approached him she said,-.
! 81 have often heard you express you
| admiration of the books, and a desire t
e know the gifted authoress, as you hav,
2 been pleased to term her. have nov
= the pleasure of informing you that sht
stands before you, and has the happi
ness of being able to furnish you will
: the means of averting your threatened
= ruin.n
At first he could not understand i
e seemed like dream but he soon rea
, lized the truth, and, as he clasped hi
t wife TO his bosom, tears that did credi
= to his manhood coursed down hi
E cheeks tears of joy and thankfulnes
t to God for blessing him with such
= wife.
e But little more remains to be told
e Alfred weaLhered the storm, was effect
= ually cured of his aversion to blue stock
j ings, and became the advocate an
: champion of those whom he mad form
a erly ridiculed.
n -r4.- r. 7