The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-11-21

Though il isn't much like your style
that's a fact, that's a fact;' and the old
farmer looked around the sumptuous
apartment and heaved a peculiar sigh.
~ hope we shall be the best Of friends,
Mr. Emerson" said the hostess, as she
bowed him out at the front door and
watched him pick his way along the
gravel walk as though he were tread
4 ing on eggs. "Oh, dear" She exclaimed,
as soon as he was well out Of hearing,
'I don't know what to feed him on.
I've often heard that he's accustomed
to the fat OF the land"
Had Mrs. Snowden but understood
bow literally true her words were, she
would have felt less solicitude about her
power TO feed her guest to his liking, for
bacon was, as we have seen her hus-
bands stock in trade, as it was also the
staple food of Captain Emerson.
"Let him eat as We do" was the sem
sible reply Of Edith; "it's pity if he
can't manage to subsist for a meal or
two upon such food as we live on every
day"
"But, my dear, your father tells me
that everything depends upon US max
ing a favorable Impression upon the
Captain. Our affairs, he says, are in a
fearful state. You know Alonzo's been
rather wild in times past, and your
father has run some fearful financial
risks to keep him out of trouble. And
now his notes are falling due, aud he is
anxious to make a successful match for
your brother, TO save himself from bank
ruptcy."
It was well for the good woman's
peace of mind that she did not under
stand the real danger Of the risk. For,
had she comprehended ali that the
reader already surmises, she would have
been crushed utterly.
Mrs. SnOwden was not a strong
woman, either mentally or physically,
any trouble, however slight, unnerved
her
"Mother," exclaimed the daughter,
gravely, "before I'd lend myself to
anything like that, Pd willingly skulk
of and die"
"What do you mean, my child ?'
81 mean that I'd die like dog before
I'd dare to entrap an unsuspecting, un-
sophisticated man into the mercenary
meshes Of our avaricious family"
"My dear, you don't know what you
are talking about. You have been
brought up in luxury. You know moth
ing Of the world, nor Of its cold aud self
ish creatures. You meyer knew the
value Of a dollar, and do not realize
what it is to be cast upon the cruel mer-
cies Of the people, destitute and penni-
less. What would you fancy as a bus
iuess for yourself in case your father be-
comes a beggar ?"
"The possibility has never before
crossed my mind, but guess that I'd
learn that there were more ways than
one Of making living"
"You would find, poor child, that fate
is one thing, and fancy quite another.
But the fact is, we might just as we'll
quit speculating about possibilities, for
we have supper to get, aud there's moth
ing in the house tit to put before a
stranger, especially IL we have sup
posed right to look to him for the reali-
zation Of great expectations"
While the feminine portion Of the
family in the brown mansion were thus
engaged with their culinary perplexi-
ties, the father and son were holding
another interview OF the character Of
the one before described, and with like
unsatisfactory results. Aud while they
were in the midst OF it, Captain Emer-
son entered unannounced.
Alonzo Suowden, junior, was for an
instant taken by surprise. He was not
quite sure but some part of his conver-
sation had been overheard, and If so, be
felt that his little game was up. But
the honest farmer had never a suspicion,
and he met the formal introduction 10
Alonzo, senior, with the air OF man
who feels himself every whit the peer
Of his neighbor.
1t was strange, the different manner
in which the different persons Of the
same family affected Captain Emerson.
II he had been timid and IN at ease
in the presence ofthe ladies, he certainly
was self-possessed and easy enough in
his manner, now that he stood face TO
; face with his peers.
The elder Snowden led him to seat
within the dingy office, while the jun
Tor Snowden stood at a respectful dis
) tance.
az have come" began the farmer
bluntly, "to see you about the proposed
, marriage between your son and my
daughter. But I want you to know ia
the outset that am not overpleased
with the prospect. Pm afraid your
son will make a poor standby, sir, 3
e deueed poor standby, in case a reverse
Of fortune ever places him on his Own
. unaided pegs"
, ever fear for that, Captain Emer.
son assure you that my son shall al
ways De well provided for,n and the sen.
ior Snowden leaned forward in bis "a.
d gerness, aud clutehed his visitor ner.
vously by the arm.
e "What is your sons business. NJ
e Snowden ?"
u Alonzo looked imploringly at BIZ
father.
= "He has been with me in the col.