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

The Major went to Oregon City as he
had planned, and sure enough, obtained
the coveted letter for his daughter.
Much fine writing has gone before the
world in order to convince young per-
sons of the inordinate wickedness of de-
ceiving parents, and much more will
yet be needed ere the rising generations
shall wholly eschew deception of this
character; but it is equally reprehensi-
BILE for parents to deceive children.
If parents and children would alike
keep in mind the necessity of perfect
confidence in each other, for the forma-
tion of perfect mutual happiness, there
would soon be much less of the evil
consequences of working at cross pur-
poses extant among humanity than
now.
The Major broke the seal of his daugh-
ter's letter with a keen relish, as though
he had entrapped some kind of wary
and valuable game.
my darJing," he read.
The Major never used profane Ian
guage. At least, he thought he never
did; but the exclamations, ''thundera-
tion v' "botheration ~ and "blame take
it !" were only modified forms of pro-
family, for the punishment of which the
ritual of his church made no provision.
81 have settled my business, and will
soon join you in Oregon" the letter
said.
'The mischiefr' hissed the Major,
trembling with rage, as he remembered
that he had caught this same young
scapegrace in the act of laughing with
his daughter over the sonorous jangle
which he had styled worshiping God in
song!
"MOllie is jealous of you, mypet, and
well she may be, for you, compared
with her, appear in my eyes as carna-
tion pinks beside jimpsom blossoms"
"The fellows fool r said the Major,
scratching his head.
"I will not" continued the letter,
"speak now of the plans, hopes, and
prospects of my future life. To secure
you is the first deSideratunl. Very soon
shall be with you. count the inter
vening days"
The Major had seated himself upon an
ox-bow, beside a campfire in the out
skirts of the little town, for he was of q
frugal turn, and had no intention oi
paying a hotel bill when going to mar.
ket for family supplies, and, holding the
letter in the flames, watched it burn il
pale blue fame and crumble to cinder!
in his trembling fingers.
'Much good that highfalutin' will
ever do Mat p' he exclaimed, gleefully
"She'll come to terms and marry Ton
before the writer can reach her. 1t will
all be right once they're married."
Then the Major prepared his fruga
meal, ate heartily and retired, but no
till after he had spent a season in peti
tions to Jehovah for protection througl
the silent watches of the lowering night
The Majors belief in literal, pei
sonal, revengeful, almighty Jehova
was only equaled by his beliefin long
tailed, horuy-headed, cloven-hoofed an
equally almighty adversary, and tn
only reason he could reconcile it to hi
conscience to steal and destroy the lei
ter from his daughters lover, upo
which so much of the happiness of be
life depended, was because of his inol
dinate seif-esteem and secretivenes
the first of which led him to believ
that whatever Major Marblehead di
was right, and the second bade him kee
his own counsel, for cautions sake,
which last chronological developmer
be was in no way deficient. He slel
without blot upon his conscience, ar
walked the next day among men
town with his head as erect as befor
portant air that was plainly meant
proclaim himself an example for all ii
ungodly.
Two days passed and the Major vi
again at home, where his presence som
what restored the semblance of order
the unruly household. The young
children feared and hated him, whi
Martha feared and fairly despised hir
I know all this was very wicke
And the propriety of thus exposing fac
has been doubted by occasional reader
But why, after all, should we shut o.
eyes to the truth? Many man is d
spised in his household by his own wi
and children, because of his own pet
tyranny, who, could he but know Il
facts in the case, would modify his CO
duct, and thereby enhance his own ha
piness, as well as that of his family.
"Did you get me any letters ?" ask
Martha, timidly.
"Yes; one," passing her well-wo
envelope, which at one glance assur
her was from young lady schoOlma
instead of King.
It's this dUsn
The question was asked in vo
husky with apprehensive dread.
"AHr'
The Major did not dream that he b