The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-08-10


wronged her devoted husband by crimi-
nal intimacy with a cowardIy rascal,
even while living upon that husbands
bounty. Yes, you'd better try for di-
vorce, Martha Jones! The prospect is
bright before you, and no mistake"
Good reader, wish Martha Jones nee
Marblehead had been wise enough to
confront her husband then and there,
and say to him:
"Sir, this marriage is morally void.
The laws of men cannot harmonize an
unholy union with the laws of God,
which are ever just. 1 did wrong, very
wrong, in that yielded to the powerful
influences around me, and became the
wife of man did not love because I
was so commanded. If it is wicked to
do wrong in the first place, it is doubly
so to continue in wrong doing. 1 did
not make the marriage laws, nor did
any woman, and we have a moral right
to rebel against them. Twill not longer
pretend to honor a marriage to which
my inner soul cannot be true. I will go
to the house of my father. He is NOR
ally responsible for my existence, as
well as my mistake. Twill pursue what
men call legal course. l will become
divorced from these bonds. Let the
world slander me if it chooses. The lit
tie world around US is very narrow one.
But the wide, wide world is before me.
[ will stay among you till men release
me from the chains they have forged,
for will not violate the statutes they
make to the extent that shall make me
an outlaw. After l am divorced, King
Greensborough, if you still love and
honor and respect me-if you feel that
you can, from the depths of your own
noble nature, condone my cruel mistake
and become my legal husband, it is
well. If not, Tll be true to myself
alone, and walk in the light of my in
ner consciousness"
L say, L wish my heroine had been
wise enough and brave enough to make
a speech like that, and then stand firmly
by it. True, she would have been mis-
understood and prosecuted, but she
would have been better and in the end
happier woman. The world has al
ways prosecuted those who have dared
to advance unpopular truths. 1t cruci-
fed Jesus, stoned Stephen, imprisoned
Galileo, burned Michael Servetus and
John Rogers, ostracised John Bunyan,
and hung John Brown. And still it
has failed to learn wisdom. To-day it
mistreats Jews, stones Cinnamon,
butchers negroes, and disfranchises
women, Notwithstanding the fact that
in every case where people have been
prosecuted for;righteousness' sake, their
seed, or successors, have risen up to
demonstrate the truth of their PROPOSE
tions and the correctness of their lives,
and do them the honor to call them
blessed.
But Martha Jones nee Marblehead
was yet child in years. She had yet
to pass through many trying ordeal
ere she should demonstrate the literal
meaning of ''suffer and be strong"
doubt if anybody appreciates the
worth of trouble, or the wealth there is
in the severest discipline. If, when any
great trial comes, we would all rise
bravely and face it, daring the worlds
contumely, domestic discord, and even
our own destruction, for the sake of the
deepest truth within US, we would do
much to hasten the coming of the mil
lennial condition of human honesty, for
which we are all waiting.
"Leave me, if you love me, King"
said Martha, while her mute hands
reached instinctively toward him, and
he with difficulty refrained from rush.
ing to an embrace to which God had
given the right denied to him by man.
81 have chosen my life; or, rather il
has been chosen for me, and 1 must moi
violate my pledge" she said. 'I know
that my marriage is fraud in the eyes
of heaven; but man pronounces it legal
and L will obey the law. You mus
leave the country, King. cannot live
.
this life if you are near me. Go! Leave
me to my fate ~
''Do you hear ~ asked the husband
stamping his foot and waving his hant
in the direction of the door.
az hear, and will obey. 1 aOish yor
joy of your bargain, Mr.-what's you
name? 1 would to God, for her sake
that you might be happy in the posses
sion of my affianced wife; but 1 know
that can never be. Your children will
rise up to bring you sorrow. Your wifi,
will detest, even while obeying you
: You will be tortured by jealousy ant
frenzied by suspicion. In time, you
own unmet affections will find attrac
! ton elsewhere. Then you will know
what suffering you have brought upol
my bride; for yOu will be bound by th
law that now enchains her. And vol
will feel that you are as powerless to &C
cept happier lot as you have compelIe,
: her to be. Remember that the law G
retribution is inexorable. with wha
: measure ye mete it shall be measures
to you again. Never was wiser proven
penned. Goodbye, Martha"
e "Where are you going, King?"