The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-08-18
The Lady Supervisor.

closer about my lame knee, daughter.
Yes, that's it. And now my crutch and
cane. Lucky every man doesn't have
to make ch parade as this in going
to town-meeting, eh, doctor? Pm
thinking there'd be falling off in
voters"
"You know I'd take your place in a
minute, father, if 1 could" said Miss
Wentworth, rOguishly, handing him
his crutch; "but the law doesn't admit
women and idiots to the polls"
"Women, no; as to the idiots, Pm not
so sure,n responded her father, humor-
Ously. "It's my private opinion, doctor,
a round number of those crept in at our
last town election. See what a set of
sticks they put up forschool committee"
''The fact is, Mr.. Wentworth, the
schools miss you," said Dr. ROdman,
slowly drawing on his gloves. ''There
isn't a man in the village capable of fill
ing your place."
"Elect a woman, then" retorted the
squire, quickly. "Do something. Our
present educational system is a disgrace
to us.n
"Elect your daughter, for instance"
said the doctor, with a sportive glance
at the comely woman in the doorway.
"She's the only woman here competent
for the office, and yet she wouldn't take
it."
every true. But why shouldn't I, if
/ pleased ?" asked she, archly.
"Why? You couldn't do it. You've
too much delicacy. No lady of refine
ment would consent to be thrust in so
public a position"
mot if she could serve the rising gen.
Grafton by the means ?" interposed the
squire. f'POoh pooh 1 call that mar
row, doctor. But what are we waiting
for? Pm all ready"
The doctor made feint of gathering
up the reins, to which the horse re-
sponded merely by a knowing wink.
That his master should really be in
haste to leave Miss Wentworth was un-
precedented and transcribed belief.
"What do you say, Zilpha? Am I
narrow? Don't you think men should
fight their own battles ?'
''Certainly, if they can. But if they
get worsted, women may be very good,
/ suppose, and help them"
"Of course they may and do help in
many ways" said the doctor, amiably.
mot by drudging in public offices,
though. For my part, l should lose all
regard for a lady who would accept such
a masculine position. If there is any
thing that l utterly abhor," he added,
with energy, "it's a strong minded
woman
"Behold how distinguished men diff
fer" said Miss Wentworth, mischiev-
ously. "King Solomon, now, liked
them. Do you remember his enthusi-
astic description of a model woman ?
Here's part of it: she considereth a
field and buyeth it; with the fruit of her
hands she planteth vineyard"
dreadful! Still, let us be charitable
GD1a i,,h frh do
before women were exalted to their true
sphere" laughed DIR. Rodman, driving
away at last, reluctantly.
Miss Wentworth turned back to the
parlOr smiling. She was not particu-
larry interested in the topic, but there
was something amusing in the doctor S
warmth in discussing it. What deep
prejudices he hadI Well, she didn't
mind,- she understood dealing with
them. And as she smoOthed her wind
blown crimps at the glass, she smiled
again in a satisfied way. To have the
power of pleasing the fastidious doctor
was a matter for self-congratulation
she thought. She wondered, though,
what he saw in her to fancy. Others
did not wonder. 1t would have been
a greater marvel, indeed, if DIR. RodWan
had not fancied this sweet-voiced, regal
woman, whom he had come to know sc
intimately.
1t was nearly a year now since she
had been summoned from her teachers
desk in New York to the bedside of bel
dying mother, and in his capacity o
physician he had met her almost daily
then, and afterward during her fathers
tedious illness that ensued. Seeing hel
thus in her home life, he could not fai
to be charmed by her gracious, WON
anly ways-fOr, spite of his thirty-tivt
years of bachelorhoOd, he was not al
unsusceptible man-and he had become
warmly attached to her. OF course sht
was quite aware of this. What woman
of twenty-eight, with her wits abou
her, would not have been, where -th
gentleman's eyes spoke so elOquently
Yet she had perversely evaded an une
quivocal declaration. 1t was pleasan
to be conscious of the doctors prefer
ence, but she was in no haste to be as
sured of it. This was the state of affair
between them on that bright Afternoon
when DR.. Rodman had called quite fiji
tally to take her invalid father to th
March meeting.
Giving a deXtrous twist to the blu
necktie so becoming to her fair com
pleXion, Miss Wentworth turned from
the glass and sat down to read one c
natural sciences, and rather leaned i
that direction, having taught them con
stantly for the past seven years. Jus
as she was deeply interested in th
glacial theory, there came a sharp ring
ing of the doOr-bell, and simultaneousll
from the kitchen the swish of moI
which indicated that the maid Climen
was yet splasbing in Mondays slough
Miss Wentworth answered the bell hel
self.
Two exceedingly smiling gentleme
stood upon the piazza, and at sight
her one cbuckled outright. That wa
Mr. Kinks, the town register.
"We've called, Miss Wentworth" ;" be
gan he and Judge Kenton, in breatt
Twelve called"
And here they broke down, each coul
teously gesticulating to the other I
proceed.
Miss Wentworth perceived they ha
called, and wondering why they shoul
seem so amused about it, asked them il
"Phe fact is, we've come on g move
mission" said the judge, with fran
laugh. 1--WE are here to congratulat
you on your recent election
"Yes, mum; we've elected you super
visor of schools, num-" put in M
Kinks, shaking with suppressed laugh
ter. sit was unanimous vote. Not
dissenting voice. Tremendous honor
ladu mum raallu -