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


scissors fell from her hand.
"Oh! Maudie, 1 see Mr.. Brompton
coming. I haven't five dollars in the
world. What shall we do ?"
Maudie was a cripple. All her brief
life had been spent in that low easy
chair, save when Tom rolled her under
the naples, in her small wagon, for her
morning airing. She looked up from
her embroidery with great, wistful eyes.
"POor mamma! How wish could
help you p'
"My love, you do. You help me a
great DEAL" cried the mother, as she
hastened to the door. "Walk in, Mr..
Brompton."
Mr.. Brompton walked in. A portly,
handsome gentleman, wearing a fur
lined overcoat, and carrying a gold
headed cane.
"How do you do, Mrs. DeIafield
How do you do? All my little pet !''
He smiled benignly, shook the wild
owls hand, and patted Maudie's head.
"Bad day this, Mrs. Delafield," ac-
cepting the chair she offered him. "Bit-
ter cold. Pm out, nevertheless, max
ing my collecting tour, Mrs. Delafield.
l make it point never to break an es-
tablished rule, as you may have OBJ
served, Mrs. Delafeld. Be punctual
with your tenants and your tenants will
learn to be punctual with you. That's
a motto of mine, and l find it works ad.
mirably, Mrs. Delafleld."
Mrs. Delafield sat quite composed
not feature of her face betraying the
hutter at her heart.
"YOur rent comes due again to-day
Mrs. Delafield." proceeded the landlord
70 III nd %
month, owing to your extreme illness
contrary to my fixed principles, 1 suf.
fered it to run on. Well square up in
full to-day, if you please, my deal
madam"
Mrs. Dela6eld caught her breath, and
pressed her hand hard upon the table
She was too proud to betray herself by
a single tremor.
Really, Mr.. Brompton, I wish
could. But, owing to my illness, pvt
done very little sewing. The few bill:
due me / tried to collect yesterday, anC
failed. However, 1 shall get the money
soon, and there'll be enough to pay the
rent. If you'll have the kindness tC
wait a week or two longer, Mr.. BrOmp.
tom
Mr.. Brompton interrupted with 6
smile, and the smile was uglier than g
frown would have been.
81 could wait, Mrs. Delafield. Oh
to be sure I could! l could make you 6
deed of gift of the cottage, for that mat.
ter. Pm fully able to do it! But you
see"
The widow rose to her feet.
"YOu have said enough, sir!
haven't the money to pay the rent to
day, and if you wish to turn me and my
children into the street, you can do So
A queen could not have made {
laughter answer. The landlords fioriC
face darkened.
"You will have to leave, madam.
told you as much a month ago. You re
member my saying that you couldn'
stay unless the rent was forthcoming
Very well; you've had legal warning
and tomorrow you CO."
Every well, sir"
"Good day, Mrs. Delafeld. 1 an
sorry to be forced-n
''Make no excuses, Mr.. BromptOn
None are needed. 1 bid you gOod-even
ing"
Her soft eyes flashed; her voice ranl
like bugle; but the instant the doc
was closed, she sunk down by Maudie'i
chair.
On3 hduul6 OOI lllblG Mduul6
What shall we do ?"
The child put aside her silks, and laiC
her soft cheek against her mothers.
Toms hand was on the latch; ant
feeling that her tears would not bl
forced back, Mrs. Delafield jumped up
and rushed into the next room, closin!
the door after her.
"Hush, Tomu' said Maudie, as h,
came whistling in, with his satchel OIL
his shoulder. "Poor mammals in grea
troublen
Toms merry eyes saddened.
whats up now, Maudie? No dinne
and no money to buy it with, s'pose
and fellow hungry enough to nibbl,
his own fingers, this bitter weather"
Maudie's soft eyes looked up at him
full of tears.
80! Tom, the landlords been here
and he talked terribly to poor mamma
ibid he? Wish I'd been at home
Hush, Tom! What could you havt
done? What can any of US do now
We're to go out of the cottage to-mor
row morning"
"What? Why, we can't go. Th,
snow will be foot deep by morning
'Twould be the death of you, Maudie
Now, shouldn't mind it one bit; bu
you and mammal Oh, it isn't to b.
thought of. 1 must prevent it some
how"
Maudie's eyes frightened. Tom wa
the hero of her lonely life.
"What shall we do, Tom ?" she asked
"Can't tell. Let me think bit," ht
answered, seating himself, boy fashion
astride chair. "If there was anything
that could be sold, now; but poo
mamma has let everything go, TO keeJ
US in bread and butter. Dear me!
wish was a man, or mamma would
let me leave school and go to work"
'Iom, Pve few bits of needle-wo
that might be Sold"
"Oh! bother, Maudie! Girls worL
never amounts to anything. What hell
would that be?"
Maudie answered not a word, but hel
sensitive lip quivered. Tom saw, anC
Redeemed to the roots of his curling hair
'There, Maudie, 1 didn't mean that
I was vexed, and spoke without think.
ing. Pm ashamed of myself. You hell
US ever So much, with your dear, pa.
tient little fingers"
Maudie's brown eyes shone like gold
stone.
"I've hit itv' suddenly cried Tom
"Pll sell that box of instruments tha
belonged to papa. don't like to; bu
if ever m a surgeon, I'll manage to ge
more. I'll do it,"
"Will mamma like it, Tom ?'' said
Maudie, doubtfully. "She never would
part with anything that belonged tc
papa"