The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-09-07

trembling, and heart beating audloly.
"Catch tts," she repeated, uncon-
sciously adopting the provincial slang
of the period.
The Major trembled anew; not with
rage, as would have been his wont if
somebody had planned an assault upon
him in the little church, where he was
certain of his ground, and knew the
power to be all in his own hands; but
he trembled with apprehension, for he
felt that he was not master of the pres
ent situation. Nor was he. There was
a power behind the throne much greater
than the throne itself. And this many
another man as weak and tyrannical as
Major Marblehead has discovered to his
sorrow.
"What did you hear, Martha ?" he
asked, pleadingly.
Again the lady laughed. She was
gaining ground. But she preferred to
delay her final triumph for assessor,
just as a skillful angler sometimes in
clines to keep the fatal bait for little
while in sight, beyond the reach of his
piscatorial victim.
"This is the first time you ever called
me Martha, Major; don't repeat it," she
answered, SOLDERING.
"Why, darliDgw
"Worse and worse! You're getting
spooney, Major. But look here. You
and 1 know precious well that there
isn't shadow of real sentiment be-
tween US. You married me to get a
housekeeper, and I married you to get
an office holder. If I am succeeding
better than you, it is all owing to my
feminine far-sightedness. Don't be a
fool. Don't darling nor Martha me.
That sort of pussy-cat nonsense might
have been agreeable pap for number
one; but number two is none of your
die-aways"
"Pll resign that confounded Office at
once, and return to the farm ~ he said,
defiantly.
"NO you won't, Major"
Mrs. Marblehead was as unruff1ed as
a summer sea.
"You'll see if I DON'T" he answered,
covering visibly.
"Then goodbye to housekeeper and
office both, Major" she answered, max
ing feint to pack her trunks, prepara-
tory to taking her own departure from
the premises.
Again the head of the family was baf-
fled. He strode across the room like
one demented. Then he set his teeth
squareIy together Q mean the few re-
naming molars; his others had long
since been worn and broken to the
roots), and Missed, in a low tone:
"Mrs. Marblehead, do you know how
1 managed my first wife"
81 do not care to inquire, Major Mar
blehead," she replied, carelessly. "Tm
your second a03e"
81 know you are! Confound the
luck ~
Don't swear, Major. Remember The
religious stand you took little while
ago at the public table. Our modern
hotel walls have ears sometimes. You
might injure your reputation and stand
ing in the church."
The Major advanced toward his wife
with threatening gestures, glaring eyes
and clenched fists.
al walloped the first Mrs. MarbleheaC
the very first and only time she eve
dared to disobey me. And there's just a
much nerve and muscle in these hands
to-day as there Vas thirty-five year
agor
Mrs. Marblehead arose from the trunl
she was packing and stood erect.
"Do you know who you are talking
to, old man ?" she asked, calmly, whil
suspicious light flashed from her eyes
and her lips quivered slightly.
The ''Old man" bowed.
"Now, Major, see here! Suppose yol
try whipping me once! Do you know
what would do ?'
No reply.
Nelli IL tell yOuI SIT. iOu LIy IL
But don't you ever dare to go to slee
again if you do, or I'll cut your thrOa
from ear to earw
80, Lord! What wickednessp' ex
claimed the lord of the matrimonial re
lation.
Mrs. Marblehead did not continue he
packing. She saw that the Benedic
was conquered.
"What fools women are" she solilc
quized, turning toward the window an
, gazing out upon the river. "a ma
that will tyrannize over his wife wi
always prove himself a coward whe
she defies him. The Majorll DO spler
didly if he's rightly managed"
e While the wife was thus Illuminating
: the husband was eyeing her askance.
g "She's a wonderful woman, and Il
J. mistakew was his mental ejaculation
d And both were satisfied.
}. 81 believe I'll try walk, Mrs. Ma
s blehead," said he, after painful silenc,
n "Just what you ought to do, Majo
: A man of your prominence and piet
!. should mingle much among the peop
: for examples sake. Then, it is a dut
= you owe your constituents, to sho