The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-14


out with the children to gather fire
wood, and she only bossed the job. Pity
there wasn't pair of US ~
ssThere ought always to be one lady
in family for respectability's sake,'
said Alice, tossing her head imperiously
The quarrel might have proceeded tC
greater length, but for the noisy clamol
of the children that drowned the sisters
voices. Mrs. Andrews moaningly begged
them to be quiet, but nobody could heal
her entresties.
"How's Mary ?" asked the invalid's
husband, as he re-fillsd his plate from
the bountiful roast before him, and took
advantage of a lull in the noise to make
himself heard.
every poorly, indeed, sir. see little
prospect for her recovery" replied the
widow, in a guarded tone.
"No wonder she's bad off, when she
won't make an effort to get WE'LL" said
the husband, petulantly. "If I-tOelL as
I am-should give up, an go to bed, an
stay there, I'd soon be sick, too"
"Sh-se-se! she'll hear you ~ said
Madge, in a whisper.
"Twon't hurt anything if she does,"
said Jason.
"Your wife is not able to be up, Mr..
Andrews, and I doubt if she ever will be
again." said Mrs. Morrison, trying to
speak in low tone, but failing to make
herself heard, until compelled to repeat
her words in loud key.
Jason Andrews looked very thought
full for a moment, but ate more vora-
ciously than ever, as he answered never
a word.
After a weary while every ravenous
mouth was filled, and Mrs. Morrison
commanded every child, excepting AL
ice, that was old enough to toddle, to
repair again to the woods.
"Why can't go too? PIague.on-it-
all ~ petulantly exclaimed the gracious
exception.
because you are needed to wash
dishes and mind the babies, so can
write letter."
"Who do you want to write to 2'
asked Jason Andrews, with a show OF
interest.
"Your wife's mother"
"Beg your pardon, ma'am, but you
won't do anything of the kind"
The widow looked astounded. Her
own husband had never in his lifetime
addressed her in that peremptory man
ner. Why should another dare to do it?
"What do you mean ?" she asked,
wonderingly.
"Just what 1 sayV answered the man,
in a towering rage. "That mother-in-
laws devil! Mary's hard enough to
manage now, an there'd be no living
with her any more if once that old hag
got ascendency over her again v'
30, Jason !" pleaded the wife, "don't
say hard things Of my poor mother,
please! She never did you any harm,
aud cannot bear to hear you talk SO !"
"Then, madam, never speak her name
in my presence She kicked up a devil
of a row because I married you, and
she'll be raisin' Cain again just as soon
as she gifts chance. 1 brought you to
this country a-purpose to keep you from
ever settin' eyes on her again. You'd
just as well stop whimperin'. I've got
enough to do without bein' bored by
you blubberin' over your old devil of a
mother. The cattle's takin' the MUIR
rain, an there's more work to do than
you can shake q stick at. tie just as
little as you can do to keep still an stop
your frettin'."
81 never fret, Jason, If can help it.
Don't speak cross to me, please. And
don't say anything hard about my
mother"
"Jason Andrews p' cried Madge, "you
haven't the sensibillty of a ground
hog p'
"Madge m exclaimed her mother in a
terror-stricken vSice; but her words fell
upon the ehild's ear unheeded.
"You're more than a brute w con-
tinued Madge; "for the brutes always
respect their helpless ones. Mrs. An
drews' mother shall be written to. II
mother doesn't write, I will.
IA precious missive you'd scribble 81
sneered Alice.
az know somebody that couldn't as
sist me any !" snapped Madge.
"There's no use in quarreling," wisely
suggested Andrews. "You couldn't
post letter, anyhow"
"Then why do you command US not
to write ?" asked Madge, dehantly.
''The truth is," she continued, in spite
Of her mothers attempt to restrain hel
torrent of words, "you've been a mean,
despieable, petty tyrant over that poor
child ever since she committed the
great mistake Of leaving her mothers
home for yours! TIM not afraid of you,
because Pm not your wife-or child,
either, thank Heaven! I'd like to be
your wife for one week, though
Wouldn't I turn a new pin in your
nose ?''
'Madge, for pity's sake, don't be
saucyP' pleaded her mother.
"rm only telling the truth" was the
indignant reply.
"Don't blame JASON" begged tbs