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

the Librarian of Congress at Washington City.
CHAPTER VII.
Captain Emerson was so very busy
for several days after his return to the
capital, that be had no time to bestow
upon the family matter to which he
had promised to give his immediate at
tention. And when the exciting scenes
in which he was a prominent actor
among his partisan coHfreIe Is were over,
the lime was so far progressed toward
the double wedding day, already irrevo-
cab'y fixed by the parties most deeply
inter ested, that be asked to be excused
for the remainder Of the legislative ses-
sion. and taking a steamer for the me-
tropOlis, sought the residence Of the
senior Snowden, and introduced him
self as a future relative Of the family.
For the first time in his life, he was in
trOduced to the inside Of an elegantly
furnished private residence. He was all
unconscious that city etiquette would
have consigned him 10 first-class ho-
tel till a special invitation from the
family had entitled him to its hospital
ity. And he marched straight to the
front door and rang the bell with the
air of the law-maker he was; and when
shown into the parlor, be endeayored TO
make himself as thoroughly at home
as though the entire premises were in
deed his own.
Mother" said one of the daughters
who had answered the gentleman's ring,
as she sought that worthy lady in the
privacy Of her chamber, where she found
her busily engaged in trimming aud
making over well-wOrn silk dress,
Captain Emerson is in the parlor, and
asks 20 see you"
"What? So Lilies father here ?n
al' Yrs. SnOwden gave a despairing
look at the scrimping pattern from
which she was expected to make a
fashionable garment. care you sure
its he? ?'
''Ies, mother; but how such an an
tiguatel specimen of baekwood's hu-
manity could ever be possessed Of as
baudsome a daughter as Lille Emer-
sou, surpasses my comprehension.
would you believe &C.? He wears cow
L.ls bots, with buuernut breeches
tucked inside, aud slouch hat, broad
brim med aud yellow, from under which
his curling hair stands out like a shock
Of ripened fodder"
"Dear me !' sighel Mrs. Snowden.
81 do wonder If he's as wealthy a. they
say he is ."
"Why, mother2 What is that tc
you? You're not expected to marry il
his family"
"But Alonzo is. And, If we do not
make a raise through lucky matche,
for our children, Pm sure / don't see
how we are going to get along"
Nonsense, mother. Pm going {,
marry a poor boy from the country anC
make a man Of him through my owl
exerlions. But old broad-brim is wait.
lug. Let's go to the parlor at once"
MY mother, Mrs. Snowden, Captain
Emerson" said the young lady.
"Andyou," said the Captain, reaching
bis hand to the mother, and gazing in.
o1iriugly at the daughter, "who ar,
you ,"
'AIy name is Edith, and I like you
first rate" said the girl, laughing gaily
and offering her hand.
The Captain blushed, and great bead:
Of perspiration stood upon his forehead
He would have received a crowd o
country people in his own rustic
home with the assurance that he wac
master of the situation. But here, in
the dim light emitted through the
draped windows, in a room upholstered
in broeatelle, with velvet carpet be.
meath his clumsy boots, he was so thor.
oughly out of his element, that he ap.
peared at a great disadvantage, in spit,
Of his erewhile self-possession.
81 called to see Mr.. SnOwden on bust
ness" removing his broad-brim an,
wiping bis perspiring forehead with hi
not over-clean bandana.
"Hou will find him at the Office,
said his wife.
"What sort Of an Office, aud whers 4
it2"
"Irs salt and bacon store, and it,
way down on the river front. close [,
the steamship dOcksn
"Ah? ? ] do not understand.p and IN.
Captain scratched his head.
az do not know how TO make {
palmer, sir But can order a carriar
and have you driven to the store"
"No, madam, do not trouble yoursel
] beg. / can walk, and make inquir
as 1 20 along. The city isn't so big bI
one can find bis way through il, if he
ask questions enough"
"Shall we look for you to return an
spend the evening ?"
81 expected, madam, to spend ii
night in your house. At least, "
should expect to entertain you, if yo
should happen around our way"
every well, Captain. We shall be d,
lighted. You will Of course be here I
tea ?"
"Of course. madam; and when 20