The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-02-16

grew more and more dissatisfied with
his SISTERS ways; he remembered, sadly
enough, the pleasant evenings passed
by his Wife's side, she reading or work
ing, he reading, perhaps aloud, or, il
perusing the newspaper, laying it down
occasionally to ask her opinion always
sensible aud readily given, on some
topic of the time. If company came in,
as often happened, music, cards, and
merry conversation wiled the hours
away. Mrs. Villars could not entertain
without beaux, scandal, and dancing.
Now lie rarely saw Leila; at home the
children were rarely far from their
mothers side. In short, Gregory Max
well began to admit to himself that
strength of mind was not an objection
able quality in a woman.
One day Mrs. Villars had dinner
party; one of the guests was a perfect
stranger, and when there was a lull in
the conversation, asked his host:
"Have you read the new novel, Jas
per Jermyn p"
mo, have not. hear it is very
good"
at is excellent. 1t was written by a
charming lady, an American, whose
history is very singular one"
"a romance! o, pray tell u.s." eX-
claimed Mrs. Villars.
"She is quite young yet, not nearly
! thirty, and is separated from her hus-
band. The man evidently was a weak
minded simpletOn, Jealous of his wife's
ability; for, learning that she had ac-
cepted fiue position as assistant editor
of popular magazine when he was i'll
and quite peuniless, he flew into a rage,
| frof u Iivnrn tnnl- uyau har LITTLE gi ri
! for fear she would be contaminated, and
! leftE her to take care of herself and the
other child, boy"
81 dare say she was entirely in fault"
! interrupted Mrs. Villars, who, strange
to say, did not recognize the tale, "a
coarse, pushing person"
"By 10 means, madam; a most ele-
CANT, refined lady. l had the honor OF
meeting her at the EDITORS house; it was
| he who told me the tale"
"Stanbury, editor of the Shining
! Light| asked Gregory.
Yes. Do you know him ?"
livery well, indeed, and | know your
/ tale to be true-the lady alluded TO is
my wife," replied Gregory.
The guest, mortified beyond express
sion, began to stammer numerous apOl-
ogies, but Mrs. Villars came to the
! rescue:
pray do not distress yourself; we
understand you! My lamented sister
in-law was shOckingly strong minded
and Gregory's divorce"
ella r' almost shouted her brother
II am not divorced, and you know it
[ have no thought of such "a thing! My
wife is not 'shockingly stroug-minded; (;
she is simply an energetic, sensible
woman; and l, like the fool | am, was
veXed with her when | should have
praised her. Allow me to thank you
! Mr. Russell, for the kind way in which
! you spoke of her. l expect to return tC
! America next week with my little girl
and il you ever visit New York again
my wife and will expect you to make
US visit. Pray tell US the plot of Jas
per Jermyn.'"
Gregory Maxwell and Leila did re-
turn to their native land the ensuing
week, and, although he did not deserv,
it, his wife pardOned him almost before
he could ask her to. Business prOspered
and Mrs. Maxwell gave up her assistan
editorship; no one, however, is a NOR
ardent admiTer of her novels and Occa
sional tales than her husband; and i
little Alice, the baby, is more fractiOu
than usual, and her father loses hi
temper, Mrs. Maxwell has but to say
30, baby, baby That's the result o
having a strong-minded mamma
Womanly women have amiable babies!
TO bring a smile instead of frOwn t.
GregOry's face.