The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-06-15
CHAPTER XXVI.

CHAPTER XXVL
Morning came, bringing with it bod
lily hunger and renewed mental anxiety
upon all sides.
The Jail where the women had slept
was cold, bare, and comfortless, and
they had had all they could do during
the night to keep the children warm.
Edna looked longingly at the hotel
that she had toiled so faithfully to build
up and sustain.
"Mother," she said, Frightening up
with sudden animation, as she turned
from the barred window through which
she had been gazing, 81 have caught an
idea. John Smith has no longer any
claim upon that house, and Pm going
over there to offer my services as cook.
1 will work no harder than did as pro-
prietor, and We'll get our board, if moth
ing more, till can get legal release
from my protector and head"
'But, daughter, think of the degrada-
ton of being scullion in hotel. What
wan yOOA OAOsAlClo dilO clSIClS say
"What in the name of human reason
do I care? What they say or think
won't bring US bread and butter /!
Would you have me go back to my le-
gal head and accept the situation in all
due humility2 Would you do it if you
were nle9"
"Well, my child, it's useless to fight
against the inevitable. You have got
US into this pickle, and you will be
obliged to help US out"
Edna blushed, but had no time for
tears or indignation.
''There are better days in store for US,
mother; see if Pm not a prophet" she
exclaimed, as, hurrying across the rocky
common, she entered the hotel and
asked to see the proprietor.
That dighitary sat at the receipt of
customs and looked at Edna searchingly
as she advanced to meet him.
"Mr. Sol, L want employment" she
said, abruptly.
"My name, madam, is not Sol, but
Solomon" he answered, putting black
volume of smoke into her face, regard
less of its effect upon her nerves or his
own manners.
Edna coughed and strangled, but ral-
lied easily. She was almost used to to-
bacco smoke, she thought.
81 want to take the place of your
head cook in the kitchen, Mr.. Solo
mon," she added, falteringly, for some
how her courage seemed oozing from
her very fingers ends.
The dignitary was delighted. Every
body in Idaho Flat was well aware that
Edna was a famous cook.
81 want a private room," continued
Edna, Large enough for my mother,
myself, aud two children, and 1 will
cook for you to pay our board till such
time as the law may declare me free
from my legal incubus"
The bargain was concluded, and Edna
was speedily installed as a servant in
the house where she had long been pro-
prietor.
"What we are to do for clothes do
not know, mother; but trust there will
be some way provided. If everything
else fails, you can make dresses for the
bad women that the men support, you
know"
80, Edna! Don't ask me to work for
fallen women! Indeed I cannot do itp'
said the mother, piteously.
"We'd starve if I'd refuse to work for
fallen men w was Edna's bitter reioiu-
der.
When John Smith had sufficiently re-
covered from his drunken stupor to real
ize that the morning was far advanced
toward noon, with no prospect of Edna's
return, be began, for the first time, TO
fancy that, after all, his bird had flown.
He was miserably, sickeningly hungry.
And yet, his appetite was gone. He
had binding headache, and longed for
a morning dram as none but drunkards
can long for anything. He opened his
blurred eyes and gazed vacantly around
the cabin. The sun was shining in
brilliant streamers through its many
creviees. Evidences of his nights de-
bauch were visible here and there.
Edna's clothing hung against the wall,
and various articles of baby apparel lay
scattered about.
He arose with difficulty and staggered
feebly around the little room. The
bright sunlight blinded him. Dizziness
overcame him. He returned to the bed,
and the bitterness of remorse overlook
him. He cried like child.
Good reader, have mercy upon him.
Drunkenness is a disease. The victim
to its ravages is unfit to run at large.
Habitual, or even periodical drunken
ness, is malignant form of insanity.
Its victims should not run at large, and
there should be asylums all over the