The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-08-31

eyed little girl as my very life, and I'll
make her good husband, see if don't"
"But how will you get her?"
Martha Brown was the minister's
daughter, and a general favOrite with
the entire settlement. She had already
had scores of suitors, though not yet
sweet sixteen. But nobody except him
self had any idea that Gus Marblehead
would ever cherish hope in that direc-
ton, though Gus had long dreamed of
little else.
"I know you didn't think she'd have
me; but we've been engaged ever since
we've been acquainted"
"Gus, never would have imagined
it. You are not tidy in your dress, and,
you'll pardon me for speaking plainly,
but there's nothing attractive about you
in any sense"
"Martha Brown don't talk that way,
though. Now, see here, Sis; Pve
worked and drudged, like a darkie on a
treadmill, ever since we came to Ore
gon, and for considerable time before.
I've made the improvements for this
farm of the Majors, such as it is, almost
without assistance. You know the Ma
jors too self-important to work, lest by
so doing he should compromise his
patrarchal dignity. Well, what have
1 ever had for my labor but the barest
subsistence >"
"Nothing, Gus. And yet don't see
that you have much to complain Of A
boy can hardly hope to pay for his rails
ing before he's nineteen"
"Pay for his raising, indeed Why,
Sis, I've had no bringing up. I've done
my own growing, and, as to clothes and
portunities have 1 had? Look at me
and behold my wages-the Majors cast
off clothes; that's ALL"
"But how did Martha ever learn to
love you, Gus ?"
"We became acquainted at school.
used to be backward in my studies, for
had to work hard when out of school,
and, somehow, some boys don't gather
ideas quick, like some girls; and felt
such a sense of awkwarduess in her
presence that was always humiliated
at sight of her. The class in 'rithmetic
bad recited together till we got to COM
plex fractions, and then got behind. l
never was quick at figgers, and puz-
zled over 'em and always made failures
till Martha saw my trouble, and she
helped me out like lightning. pve
never had any difficulty with calcula-
ton since, for that girl inspired me with
new understanding, and I've learned to
see beauty and harmony and figgers in
everything. She loves me, and pve
somebody to live for now, and to work
for, too"
"But, Gus, you surely don't intend to
leave me encountered with these two
young families, to get along as best
may, without your assistance? These
younger children must not be left tc
themselves"
mo, sister; not that. But 1 do meau
to make my work serve me, as well as
the rest of the family, which it will
never do so long as am tied down OF
my fathers farm, with plenty of lanC
all around me from which to choose my
own homestead-and-M
"But Martha is under age, as well a
yourself. How eau she marry withOu
her parents permission ?'
"She can marry while a minor if
can. You know there is yet no licens,
law in Oregon. Well go to the Squire
and get married, and then I'd like to Sc,
anybody help it,"
without asking her mother! o
Gus! don't do it,"
"Why?"
because nobody else on earth will
ever love her as her mother does. Yor
think you love her, and there is n
doubt but you do, but, Gus, your deep
est affection is as nothing compared t
the keen solicitude mother natural,
! feels for her children. Now, brother
take my advice in one thing-dO. G.
/, to Mrs. Brown and say to her, quietly
: and.with respect and dignity, Il low
your daughter, and she loves me.
r will devote my life to her if you will le
= me. May marry her% Depend upo
it, Gus, you'll gain much by it, an
: lose nothing. Besides, you'll pour
< balm upon her wounded feelings tina
: will go long way toward reconcilin
her to the marriage"
: "But don't propose to marry the oil
woman. want the daughter"
'Gus, you are not worthy of tn
@ daughter if you feel like that toward tn
mother. Think of our pale, patient
h blue-eyed mother, and tie sorrow sh
would have suffered had l treated he
=, like this"
"Well, sister, I'll do as you say; bu
9 first 1 must sell II horse, or a steer, c
. something else off the farm and get m
i, a decent suit of Clothes"
/ "All right, Gus. And may heave
}. speed you in your self-imposed mission.
0 The boy absented himself from hon
for several days, and when he returne
n his metamorphose was complete. H