The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-07-27

in use, upon which the most secret
thoughts can be transmitted to the in
ternaI senses of the interested or sympa-
tbetic listener If it be possible to sub
NIT such theory to practice, let US hope
the mental telegraph will soon be in
working order everywhere; for certain
it is that the people now walk in men
tai darkness concerning those things
that most vitality interest them.
Morning came sat last, bringing the
subsiding remnants of a weeping rain
storm. The clamorous and fretful chill
dren of the Marblehead household were
supplied by their grumbling and dis
contented sister with the morning meal.
Mud, brought in from outside, upon the
original dried mud floor, by the track
ing of a dozen little feet, covered every
square foot of the sOdden surface to the
depth of an inch or more.
Surely" thought Martha, "there is
little prospect here for conjugal happi-
ness for the widow Jones. I believe
she's born idiot, else she'd stay where
she is"
But Martha did not know all that was
going on between her father and the
widow.
A week passed and every preparation
was made for the enlarging and COM
Portable fitting up of the original cabin.
"Pn get everything done that 1 can
| before we are married." the widow ex-
planned to her son, "for it isn't easy to
get men to come to your terms after
you've married them. A lover is as
tractable as pet lamb. You can tole
him in any direction till the marriage
ceremony has made him master of the
Majors cabin is built, and everything
arranged as we'll as we could expect to
have it in this new country, where one
can't get much at best, We'll close the
marriage contract. Till then, We'll re-
main as we are"
"But, mother, why marry at all, if by
so doing you only depreciate your own
chances TO have things to suit your
self?"
because it's my duty. If should
not marry, you might think you ought
to remain single, and want to open the
way for your happiness. 1 know what
boys are. They're as restless as Gagged
canaries till you get 'em mated. Then,
the Majors good man; one of those
sterling sons of the Most High whose
example every young man would do
well to initiate. Now, be good boy,
and pay proper court to Martha. She's
a nice girl, but a little uncultivated.
Once you've married her, you can tame
her easy enough. You see, Tommy,
this new country has great and glori-
Gus future before it. You may become
member of Congress, governor, or
consul before you're thirty years old.
J You see, the immigration that's coming
} every year will soon sufficiently popu-
: late the Territory to make a State fol-
: US. The oldest and best known citizens
will then be liable to fare the best
Now keep your eyes peeled. Look
sharp after the chances. The Major
l will yet be judge or governor, or some.
thing equally high sounding. If youl
father had lived to come with Us to this
5 new country, could easily enough
= have managed him into securing some
t thing handsome"
= "Well, mother, I must say you've
mistaken your calling. You ought t.
}. be politician"
Z "What else am ?"
e "a woman"
n "What if am? Can't plan, schem
: and look ahead as well as the rest o
r. them?"
;, ''Then you ought to have been a man
o for now you can only shine by bor
rOwed light"
e "Thats why want to be married.
g mean to fetch up in Washington som
: day, and have me coach andfOur an
y marble mansion and a retinue of sci
wants. See if 1 don't"
"Well, mother, wouldn't want ZEN
if had to begin by marrying old Maj
r, blehead."
r. "Why ?"
g because he's an old skinfiint. He
J. as overbearing as a free mulatto. III
il surprised that you so soon forget IN
al good father"
s! "Oh, you goose, don't forget hin
Pm only looking out for his widow an
s. her son."
le Martha went about her work as or
As distraught. The feeling that King ha
IS discarded her was bitter humiliation
even harder to endure than her disaI
at pointment in giving him up. She too
as no interest whatever in the improv,
to ments upon her fathers premises, an
received many a sound scolding and n,
III a few cuffs and bruises for her listle
idleness.
10 az wouldn't mind, Major" expostl
O. lated the widow, one day, after Martt
ar had been soundly scolded in her hea
or ing. at will be all right when she
married"
he The days and weeks wore on, and IL
lg new additions to the Majors home we
nd finished. Considerable pains had bee