The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-03-20

"Do as you please, child. The Lord
knows that have honestly tried to do
my duty. But have reached the end
of my tether now"
Every inch q queen did Grace appear
as she arose from her chair and smooth
ing down the coarse, clean garments OF
the little sleeping waif, walked straight
10 the center Of the parlors, and speak
ing in commanding voice, arrested
The attention Of the entire household.
"My sisters, this child is the offspring
OF shame. Il j. Alonzo's, but it isn't
mine. Your brother is my husband &C
cordiDg to the law, but according 10
moral ethics he is only a rascal be-
came his wife because loved him, aud
before | knew Of this. He married me
because had money or lands. ] loved
him once, because / thought he was
pure and true. I detest him now be-
cause / know he is not worthy Of any
true woman's allegiance. But my
father insists that cannot divorce him.
] would damage his political prospects il
| acted out my honest convictions; and
so, to please him, and do what good
can in the world besides, I have resolved
10 make the best out Of a bad bargain.
Therefore I will adopt this child, my
father will settle your fathers bankrupt
business, you are TO acquiesce ia every
thing and be thankful that your brother
keeps out OF the State prison."
The girls stoutly demurred at first;
/ but the news of their fathers bank
ruptcy soon cooled their opposition, and
it was not long till the wee baby girl en-
twined itself in every heart belonging to
the household.
If society msrveled, it held It's peace
in the presence OF the interested parties.
There was no gossip Of which the young
ladies were aware.
Bot the blow to the family pride was
terrible. Had they been able 10 retain
their rank in social life. they would
have been less deeply affected. Bat the
morning papers announced the failure
of the firm Of Suowden & Snowden, pork
merchants, and their humiliation was
complete.
Captain Emerson faithfully fulfilled
the trust allotted to him. As prominent
candidate for the United States Senate,
he could not DO otherwise than stand
I by his son-in-law for political reasons.
But he took savage delight in cursiug
his luck, and abusing the bankrupt ba-
con dealers, who wisely remained out OF
town.
Mrs. Emerson, good soul, had heart
so full Of human Kindness that she could
not have held out against Alouzo even
ifshe had tried. Her prayers and tears, at
first aroused for him through pity, were
never afterward wanting in his behalf
And, though she did quarrel sometimes
with Alouz1's father, the neriow-vis-
aged little man, who meekly humhied
himself in her presence and partook OF
her homely fare with feeble appetite.
the sinister smile and gentle tones of
the humbled -pn-iu-iaw never failed to
mollify her Aud SO, ON the whole,
they got on we'll together during the
period Of painful probation required by
the law in settling up their shattered
business. The greatest grief Of
the elder Suowden was upon ac-
count Of bis wife and daughters.
They have never known a financial
care till now" he sobbeI, as Captain
Emerson's letter to his wife containing
full accounts Of the enforced sale, and
/ the meager sums realized therefrom,
was placed in his hands by the good
woman.
"a little adversity won't hurt 'em,
mister. Never do you fret" she said,
soothingly. "The great mistake you've
made all along, has been through tryin'
to poll load ia single harness that God
designed for two. And Pm badly fooled
in Mss Snowden II she don't show you
afore she's done with it that the gray
mares tle better horse"
The senior Suowden could not repress
a smile az this, and to his astouishment
be felt in better spirits than he had
dared 10 hope was possible. But his
happiness reached a climax when a
second long, loving missive from his
wife was placed in his trembling
hands, in which a detailed account OF
her new hopes aud aspirations was
somewhat obscurely given.
"The stores gone and the bacon aud
salt, an.l every other thing suggestive
Of the pork business" she wrote. "And
Of course the house is gone, and all OF
the furniture and the piano and the
team. But then, am by no means dis
couraged. We have always managed to
get bread and butter, and We doubtless
always will. am accustomed to econ
omizing, and I shall not mind its con-
unuauce. OF course you will get into
some new occupation bye-and-bye But,
IN the meantime, I and the girls will
go into business on our own account. -
Mrs Suowdeu did not deem il expedi-
D ent to divulge further particulars. and
her letter stopped short with only the
: added words, ''in love and hasie.u
"She and the girls 20 into business on
their own account, indeed"i exclaimed
the uarrow-visaged little man. "Whv
they don't know any more about th,
/ ins aud outs Of trade than I know about
: the inhabitants Of the moou."
"But women learns powerful quicl
; when they git chance, Mr.. Snowden, >