The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-05-17

CHAPTER XVI
Morning found me weak, stiff, and
languid, but so much better that 7 felt
that might inaugurate the work had
visited Nevada City 10 attempt. l rose
from my couch and made the toilets Of
myself and children, my habitation
warmed by glowing fire Of pitch
pine Bindings that my kind friends
had prepared the previous evening, and
lighted 10y the glowing sunshine that
spread its quiet glory over the surround
ing mountain tops.
The crisp, clear air was as pure as the
crystal ether that pervajes the i'm
mensity OF space. and as exhilarating
as the nectar of the Olympic gods; the
reverberating mountains were alive
with the hum Of human industry; the
hillocks teemed with human activity,
aud the gulches were fairly writhing
under the excavating picks and shovels
with which the miners probed them to
the heart, in search of yellow ore.
had emerged from my tent and had
barely time to take a comprehensive
view Of the exciting scene, when Mr..
Lillienthal surprised me by tempting
breakfast, consisting of coffee, hot cakes,
and the Spanish dish Of fried brains and
cayenne pepper that I will not attempt
at this late day to call by its original
name.
should have been pleased to invite
him 20 enter the tent and breakfast with
me, but for proprietys sake I did not
deem it expedient; and though am
sure he was little disappointed that !
did not, be learned to respect me for my
conservative notions far more highly
than he could have done had ! not been
extremely particular 20 shun all appear
auce Of familiarity or intimacy with
him and every other man I met.
am no advocate Of prudishness or
mock modesiy. A little sensible dis
cretion is at any time superior to a
thousand rules Of propriety. But have
no patience whatever with women who
are habitually getting themselves
"talked about" II is true that the best
and purest may sometimes become un-
conscious victims of untoward circum-
stances, which malice may construe
into accusations Of evil, but ! have
never met but one mau who failed TO
recognize aud protect my honor, and
may the angels pity him, aud our
Heavenly Father have mercy upon
him-that one man was my husband.
But then he would never have fallen 50
low il il had not been for the drink.
All, me!
Mr. Lillieuthal was so busy during
the forenoon that / had no opportunity
to confer with him as to my futur,
course; but / knew 1 needed the half
days rest and the noon-day meal whicl
followed, so contented myself with th,
dreamy state Of feverish yet restfu
happiness that proved q tonic as poten
as the electric mountain air.
The uoontime was warm and comfort
able outside the tents, and dined Will
my benefactor 10y an outdoor fire upor
the ground, our seats pack-saddles, aDC
our table a fallen log.
SIS it time for me TO begin the prep
aratious for my restaurant ~ ] asked, a,
we sat there under the blue canopy o.
God, and listened 10 the music Of th,
signing pines.
There's no hurry" said my friend
"You'd better recuperate ana get rested
You're like jaded pack mule"
I laughed. Such a doubtful compli
ment would hardly be appreciated il
polite society, admit, but its aptnes
amused me.
Its bad economy to work a jade,
mule before he's had time to recruit hi
wasted energies" continued my practi
cal patron.
"But l want TO earn my livelihood
Mr. Lillienthal, and I've no right TO pu
myself on a par with your mules. The
are your property, and you have a rigi
10 protect them. l am nothing but
woman. 1 not only belong TO nobod
else, but 7 am not allowed to belong
myself Women are an anomaly in tL
worlds MARKET
Mr.. Lillieutbal looked at me with
puzzled air.
"What do you mean, Mrs. Grey ?'i L
said, the question, 10y its manner. col
veyiug a reprocf for what I plainly sa
was displeasiug to him.
al mean what / say" I replied, bi
terly. CT am the married thram Of
master of more absloute power over u
than is possessed by any mule-owuer
America over his chattels."
"Eou are unreasonable, Mrs. Grey
81 know it, but l don't Gale"
He looked at me with a still mo
puzzled air. Could he have known q
life of literal death was leading as
considered the possible and almost Ct
tain calamity that I was dreading,
would probably have understood q
better. But be did not know, and u
being a woman, could not have compl
hended, even had told him all fear
concerning my physical condition. Al