The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-06-19


J When he first fell sick, he happened {
E send for James, and their case was sue
: hard one that ] have tried 10 hel
: them ever since tut Pm afraid Ia
; poor oil woman won't need anythin
very long" Aud the tender-hearte
old lady wiped her eyes slowly at IN
2 thought Of the scene Of misery she HI.
so lately witnessed
"There ~ said the doctor. 'Itold vo
so; she cares more for her sick peopl
than she does for me; but she didn'
want 20 be bothered with them at al
when the children we're at home
Curious I'm almost sorry persuade
her to begin, for there is no tellinl
! where she will stop. She has got ava,
! beyond her teacher now, and I dom
know but what I'll have to take lesson
Of her yet. do learn every day.
have learned much since you begar
your unselfish work, wife" said he, il
an earnest, feeling tone, very difieren
from his light banter. 81 have learne,
how much a true, good woman can d,
for the sick by her mere sympathy, an,
by all those little attentions that only ,
woman seems to know how to offer.
guess our hands are too big and oul
heads too thick" he said, doleiully
gazing at his broad palms with well-as
sumed regret
"The fact is, Elinor," lie continued
soberly, "if a woman can do what T We
seen my wife do. what could one not do
with the addition Of a regular medical
education and careful training? I'll
tell you what it is" he said, excitedly,
striking his knee, "she could almost
raise the dead"
"Now, James, why will you talk 50
foolishiy ?" said his wife, while a smile
came to Elinor's pale face as she saw the
sly twinkle in his eyes, for the oil doc
tors genial, mirth loving nature was TO
her like sunshine TO the plant long de-
prived II light
"Docior," said She, "yon are making
things ZOO easy for me, am afraid, Just
for friendships sake. expected to be
long time preparing for entrance to
college, for 10 wish t. gain a medical
education more than I ever did before.
| believe ] could do good, and | think
such life would satisfy me better than
any other could adopt / intended TO
ask you about the chance Of getting
position in the public schools. ]
thought might earn enough 10 live on,
and pursue my studies too, II could do
that. II that plan failed, ] wanted 10
try to get place as goveruess, thinking
that with your extensive acquaintance
you might be able to assist me In find
ing good family. These plans, con-
fess, are all I have formed as yet, and I
hardly feel that I ought to consent 10
settle down so easily and quietly as you
propose, without az least making an ef-
fort 10 do something for myself"
"Well," said DR.. Duff "as to the irst
plan, can tell you right here AMI now
that 1t is useless for you to think OF it,
because every plsee In the schools is oc-
cupied, and from three to a dozen appli-
cants for each place are waiting, hoping
and praying for an accident or a death
anything to make a vacancy"
He looked at his wife's face with an
expression OF mock anxiety, to see If she
would reprove him; but sine knew what
he wanted, and only shook her finger at
him. He went on:
"As to a governess' position, 7 don't
know; you might fluid somebody that
would pay you enough TO live on, aud
treat you decently, too, before you would
die Of old age, but it is very doubtful.
Then you might take In sewing-there
are only ten or fifteen thousand women
starving at that here; or, you might
wash or 90 out as house -servant-they
have enough TO eat, at least, aud get
paid better than any other women, too.
think that would be your best chance,
after all there are the stealings, you
know" and he gave a comical glance at
his wife, who exclaimed:
"Really, James, I think Il Is time to
stop such silly talk and help Elinor to
decide what she will do.n
"rhat is precisely what I have been
trying to do all the time, wife, and /
think I have succeeded, too" said the I
DOCTOR haven't I, my child ?"
"Yes," said Elinor, "you have helped |
me very much, for I knew nothing Of |
what you have told me; and now I see
hat there is a way to earn a living ! /
had never thought Of have always
nad a natural liking for housework, il
here was not too much OF 1t at once,
Ind for some time have had most Of
he care of housekeeping, and have done
Iome Of the work so believe could,
With care and effort, give satisfaction in
hat way : aud could fluid such a place
,asier than l could get a teachers posi-
ion, couldn't ?" she said, with auima-
ion.
The doctor looked at her in blank
'mazement, and his wife said, earnestly:
my dear child, you must not think
If such thing. l should never forgive
myself If We allowed Harriers child TO
cad such life as that. You must stav
With US, and help US, and be the dear
laughter | always longed for" and the
Kind eyes filed with tears as she bent
.o~ard the grateful girl, who rose, and
coming close, stopped and kissed her.
'nu gently stroking the silvery hair,
aid in "A uof.. rrr