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


Young tree. torn from its accustomed
Mace. i's tender rnotlets broken, iti
nourishrei.t withheld. the genial infiu
ences 81 -uu and breeze exchanged fol
darkness al , gloom; for human hearts
-eni forth tenlrils that entwine them
selves about even iuanimaie objects, ant
none are thus clasped so closely AS those
that 90 TO make up what we call home
She had lost the only home she bad
known since childhood. She was sud
denly placed outside all those associa-
tions, duties and pleasures that are
round about one as the daily routine OF
life, and she felt her isolation as a boldei
eature could not have done In time
she would form new relations with the
world in some new home but now, she
was like the tree on its journey, which,
though destined TO ampler grounds,
fuller development, and wider useful
ness, seems almost lifeless, and as
though it were utterly east out.
/ When the first rush was over, Elinor
took a cheap carriage and went directly
to the house Of her old friend, DR.. Duff,
who, with his kind wife, gave the tired,
| troubled girl a warm reception, though
they wondered greatly at her coming
alone at such a time, aud showing so
plainly the traces Of grief and pain in
her face, her attitude, her whole man.
/ Der. During the evening, however, she
told them why she had come. She
could not bring herself 10 explain every
thing fully, bnt merely said that she had
been so unfortunate as to displease Mrs
Stoddard very much, though through
no fault Of hers, aud that il was neces-
sary for her 10 find another home, aud
she had ventured to come 10 them for
temporary refuge, till she could find
something to do to support herself
The doctor and his wife exchanged
significant glances as this explanation
was given, and when Elinor ceased
speaking, the former said, heartily:
"You came to the right place, my
girl. We are alone now, and sadly miss
the young faces and voices; and You
couldn't find a better work 10 do than
just to cheer Up a couple Of lonely old
folks like rs. Don't you say so, wife %
ayes, indeed" said she, cordially.
"We will be thankful enough If you can
he content TO stay with US, my dear.n
and her mild eyes beamed on Elinor so
sunnily that she felt soothed aud com
forted at once, and as though she had
found haven Of rest. She gave the
kind old lady a look Of gratitude that
warmed the heart Of the latter still more
toward her, and said, earnestly:
81 trust you will have no cause to re- |
sret your goodness TO me, and If I can /
get to earning anything soon, so / can .
support myself, / will be most thankful /
10 find permanent home with you, for
you seem nearer 10 me than any Of the .
rest Of my friends, because you we're my
mothers friend"
Her voice trembled little, and the
bluff old doctor knowing how teuderly
she cherished her mothers memory. /
said, gently:
awe have always wanted YOU, nv
child, for her sake, and now, II Won are .
free 10 come, we are glad to have Won .
with Us for your own sake; so don't .
trouble yourself about support" he /
went on, cheerily, "but just tighten
wife's burdens a little, an . help me with
my correspondence, aud IL you still want .
TO study medicine, you can 20 right
ahead with me, aud euter the next class. /
Quite a number Of ladies will enter
then, and they are all Of high character
aud good ability" De added, with pride,
for be was the champion Of women med /
zeal students in Philadelphia, aud made .
their cause his own.
Elinor looked doubtful, aud said.
slowly:
This seems too good TO be true, doc
or, aud too easy for NE, too. ] do not
zee what could do for your wife that
would be any compensation at all for
What would receive, and the writing
could do for You would only be a
'astime. I cannot be a helpless de
'endeut. l must do something to pay
ny way" she said, decidedly, looking
Ip at the doctor with an earnest face. Ir
He laughed and chuckled 10 himself
nd said:
you don't know what a busy little
'ody my wife is. perhaps. Why, she
las a whole regiment Of ragged imps to
ooh after. and sick folks by the dozen
o visit aud codlle- and pet, and Pm
.iraid il don't get some one to relieve /
ier soon, I'll have to get somebody TO [
OOH after me- So you can take your 6
'hoiee. You can help her, or III hire I
'ou as housekeeper. Why, It's a fact" $
ie hurried on, to keep his wife from ,
peaking, "that bad to eat my dinner I
ilone yesterday, for she was of visiting G
me Of her sick people, and forgot me :
.ntirely, aud I don't know anv dav ,
when ! come home whether III find ber
lere OF not. Now, do you wonder .
want to engage an assistant for ber p,
ana the doctor leaned back, clasping his q
hands behind his head, and contemnl,t- A.,
ng The two women with merry, twink !
ing gray eyes.
Now, James," said the sweet voiced ,
DID lady, in a tone Of mild reproaeh.
you know very well that the reason I ,
vas late yesterday was that poor old ,
rompkins was dying, and his wife ,
couldn't bear 10 have me leave her. .