The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-29
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.


initials, have been Off duty as an edito-
rial correspondent for more than
month past, because it was so nice 10
have somebody else attend TO tha'
branch of the business, and we couldn't
think Of attempting to compete with ye
sage Associate. But Mrs. Coburn Is at
home now, and ready to begin her heNt
months routine OF official duties, so
here goes for a few "reminiscences Of our
latest peregrinations.
The first Of these was trip by rail,
and through the mud and slush, to
Shedd's station, where we were hospita-
bly, entertained by our friends the Por-
ters, who take great interest in sustain
ing literary and temperance society
recently organized in the place, which
it was our pleasure to meet at lecture
in the Methodist Church. Rev. Mr..
Clark presiding, and everybody atten-
tive and apparently interested.
ShedTs station has not very perrepti-
bly, improved since our last visit, some
years ago. The railroad gave impetus,
for a time, to many new villages along
its route, which soon reached their
maximum growth, and then settled
themselves into staid respectability,
in which they admirably hold their
own. These villages are in many in-
stances almost wholly destitute Of ade-
~
to the different residences; hence loco
motion in the winter season approx
mates to a hybrid style of navigation
not essential to the happiness or well
being Of either residents or visitors.
Our old friend Wheeler still holds
forth at Shedd's, as a successful dealer
in general merchandise, and there were
others, doubtless, engaged in other, as
well as similar kinds Of business, but the
mud was too thick for our propellers
aud we couldn't call.
The brief visit over, we took train for
Albany and the Temperance Alliance.
As the proceedings Of the Alliance have
already passed into history, we will not
here reiterate them, but will pass on TO
consider the town itself, which is the
most prosperous OF any, outside of Port
land, in the famous WebfoOt State.
Some thirteen years ago, when we were
first introduced to Albany, she was a
trifle bigger, but no more thoroughly
side-walked and graded than Shedd's
station. But she had nestled down at
the confluence Of the CalipOoia and Will
l lamette Rivers; grist mills, saw mills,
and planning mills We're in operation,
houses were being built, stores were
| going up, schOOl-hOuses, churches, a
courthouse, a college, aud shops aud
warehouses were being erected, and our
liege decided that there was the place Ia
settle. The sequel proved that he was
right about the town, though it did not
prove the stopping-place for US for only
a short term Of half-a-dozen years. But
we have watched the growth Of Albany
and taken interest in her success, aud
to-day we are proud Of her fine resi-
dences, neat surroundings, brick build
ings, and public aud private improve
ments Of every description. We arr
proud Of her grand men and nobl,
women, her schools, her society, ant
her Sautiam ditch. We are proud o
her rivers, her railroad, and her Woman
Suhragists, and if we should ever qui
the business Of an itinerant missionary
we'd as lief settle in Albany as any
other inland city under the sun.
The Alliance over, and day or two'i
canvassing done, we returned to Port
land, where the suffrage protracte,
meeting came so close upon the heels o
three successive weeks at convention
that we were laid for time after i
upon the shelf for repairs. And her,
we had chance to think and poude
much. Were we not rushing along a
too furious a speed? What with trav
cling, lecturing, serial writing, edith,
the NEW NORTHWEST, attending to Tn,
business Of the Office, answering letters
canvassing, and occasionally running
the sewing machine, we were doing tn,
work of half-a-dozeu, and were conse
quently breaking down. Applying tn,
brakes Of physical necessity to tn
wheels Of ambition, we remained com
paratively passive for a fortnight, an,
then took train for Forest Grove, tht
Oxford Of Oregon, and the seat Of III,
paternal home. How we enjoyed tn,
visit and the consequent work attendin.
it. Weeping Winter, bewailing hi
scepter departed, betOok him to tn,
Northland, and genial Spring, arraye,
in foliage and flora of emerald and am
Der and ruby and alabaster hues, as
cended the throne of her glory an,
smiled at US from the depths Of her dew
laden eyes, aud shook in the mornin,
breezes the flowers adorning her tree
crowns Of rejoicing, and lifted der skirt
at eventide to reveal her exquisite EN-
broidery Of grass and vines and clover
How quaint and quiet and cosy is tina
village home Of our honored sire; an,
how patiently he sits on the low veran
dab, waiting till his change shall come
now turning from his newspaper L
+ chatter to the birds or the boys, as b.
; allows the native exuberance Of tn
family to assert itself, aud now surpris
ing all by saying to the political mis-
sionary, 1--WE must kill the prodiga
now! The caI7s come home"
At this We laugh, and resume ou