The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-06-08
CHAPTER XIV.

NhAI len AAN-
The news of the forthcoming lecture
upon "Woman's Rights spread through
the mines like confagration.
With the exception of Mrs. Ruther-
ford and Edna and Sue, there were but
two or three women residing in the
place at the time who were not known
to be Magdalenes. And, while the few
who conducted themselves with wom-
anly propriety were known to be more
than self-supporting, the denli monde
were always idle, always elegantly clad,
and always visible.
The majority of people of both sexes
fail to look upon the everyday occur
rences Of life with the least atom of phi
losophy. Whatever appeals directly to
their careless observation is taken for
granted, as a rule, and as snch is applied
by them to all the conditions and cir
cumstances ofhuman existence, whether
the rule is in any way applicable or
otherwise.
Most men in Idaho Flat judged all
women of all localities according to the
standard set up at the hotels, where
only those of the class whose steps take
hold on hell were to be seen, and the
idea that any woman or set of women
should desire or need more rights than
those possessed already, was, to their
minds, as hideous as ridiculous.
But all were anxious to attend the
meeting, as they anticipated a great
deal of merriment.
"Shall 00e attend and hear what our
friend has to say about our rights ?''
asked Mrs. Rutherford, addressing Edna,
who was bending low over her children
and trying to soothe Sues lonely babe
to sleep by coaxing lullaby.
Eyes, mother, of course We'll GO, as
soon as we get the children to sleep. l
want to see if women in America have
any rights that any man feels himself
bound to respect"
"But there will be no other ladies
present." faltered Mrs. Rutherford.
mo other ladies were present during
the trial to-day, mother, and yet the
men did not devour us. Pm not afraid
of any man, unless the law compels me
to be under subjugation to him as his
wife. For the rest, can take care of
myself"
90, Edna! I cannot bear to have you
talk that way" said the mother, plead
ingly. "You outrage every sense OF
propriety by such speeches"
''I can't help it, mother dear. The
only trouble have ever had in my life
was on account of bad marriage laws"
"But marriage is a holy institution,
my dear"
81 know it ought to he, mother.
Aunt Judy and have talked all these
pros and cons over many a time. But
example is much more striking than
theory, and experience much more pow
erful than ethics. No amount of NOR
alizing will ever convince me that John
Smiths legal power over me is a good
thing, or that it ever by any stretch o.
human Imagination can be construed
into blessing"
80, Edna! What shall we do to.
night if there are fast women at the lee.
ture ?" and Mrs. Rutherford paled will
apprehension.
we'll let them alone, mother dear
There'll be plenty of fast men in attend
ance, and they won't dare to hurt us
either. That is, none of 'em excep
John Smith, and 1 shall go armed t.
protect myself from him."
"Don't you intend to live with hin
any more, Edna?"
Edna did not answer, but slipped ;
revolver from a pocket beneath tn,
folds of her dress and showed it with ,
significant nod.
Mrs. Rutherford uttered a littl,
scream.
"Don't be a fool, mother !" cried tn,
daughter, returning the weapon to it
hiding-place. '1'm not intending t,
take the life of John. 1 will defent
myself, however, for 1 am desperate"
Soon the children were asleep, ant
the cabin double-barred, and the moihe
ana Oaugnter were on the way to tn
lecture-room.
When near the door they met Mr.
Handel, who paused a moment for
kindly word with Mrs. Rutherford
Edna would not recognize him.
''Fll teach any man to waver wheI
he's needed to stand by his friends. !,
she thought. t'If he were half ma,
he'd horsewhip John"
But, in truth, Mr.. Handel was not de
serving Edna's unqualified displeasure
AS a minister, he felt it his duty to b
non-combative, and as far as possibl
non-cOmmittal. And he had shrunI
from any contact with the vicious ele
meRt that banded his name and Edna