The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-12-11

Everybody looked tired except Tirzah
and John, each Of whom, inspired by
the lofty enthusiasm Of reciprocated
love, had risen above fatigue, and was
dwelling in the regions Of ecstasy.
"Where was Eliza Hardine yes
terday, John?" queried the Squire,
looking hard at his son as they sat at
table, while the eyes of all the family
group were turned full upon him.
"How should Tknow ?" answered The
son, his food choking him.
"a lovers quarrel, eh ?"
John did not reply.
"WeH,u said the Squire, taking the
affirmative for granted, ppm glad Of il.
The Hardines are low-bred set. Only
think how shamefully that young John
behaved when l asked him 10 read for
Us yesterday %
"Why, father, Pm sure he did just
right" said Tirzah, earnestly. sup
pose somebody beside yourself had been
the President Of the day, and you had
been wholly slighted in the choice Of
officers. DO you think, il the chosen
one had failed at the last moment to
make his appearance, that you would
have taken it kindly if your name bad
been sprung, as Johns was, without
previous notice, and you nominated
thus publicly for the position Of master
Of ceremonies ?'
"Weil argued, little Sis" said John,
laughing. You'd make a capital
lawyer if you were only boy.
shouldn't have thought Of making such
an excuse for Jack f; though ! was ready
with one quite as charitable"
Lets hear It., said the Squire.
"Pray, don't - interrupted Mrs.
Iugleton, coming TO the relief Of Tirzah.
"John Hardness reasons We're his own,
whatever they were, and we have no
right to interfere with them
"You might have saved your ex-
hortation, mother" laughed John, "for
/ did not mean to divulge the secret"
"Who was that stripping that took his
place so promptly ?" asked the Squire.
"Td give section of acres for son
that could do IT,"
"How would you like a daughter that
could?" asked Tirzah.
"It might suit me well enough TO
have a daughter that could but ]
wouldn't, for million, have a daughter
that 5rould'' was the decisive reply.
"Why not ." said John, his face
blazing.
Because it isn't a woman's busi-
ness"
"Who said it tcas 2' answered the
son, as he hid his confusion behind his
uplifted cup.
a general laugh followed this unex-
pected rejoinder, aud the subject was
dismissed.
The rights OF women were a tabooed
subject in those days, for the simple
reason that scarcely anybody thought
them worth considering.
Squire Ingleton was little more be-
forehand in his work than the senior
Hardine. His corn had been "lald by'i
for fortnight prior to the memorable
Fourth, and his garden, such as il was
was clear Of weeds. With "a little les,
of the spirit Of dependence upon de-
/ parted ancestry, and a good deal more
of the spirit OF dependence upon him
self, he might have been a prosperous
/ farmer. As it was, he was never out o
debt; and land tax and interest, like
I twin canker worms, continually preyeC
upon the root of his slender income
keeping his family serimped for many
Of the comforts, and absolutely de
/ prived Of many Of the luxuries Of life
/ But the Squire was determined TO owl
books at whatever cost; and be wa
never thwarted in this ambition, even
though his wife, who never thought o
reading anything but her Bible, anC
Tirzah, who cared far more for cur
papers than disquisitions upon politics
science or religion, looked upon genera
literature as a humbug, and the ex
penditure Of their slender means FOL
something to read as little better thar
criminal extravaganza.
But, while We are lingering here, dis
cussing the two families between who's,
lives inexorable fate and amiabl,
nature have seen fit TO run an inter
twiuiug thread, the sun is mountin,
high in the heavens, and the day i
wearing onward toward its noon.
John IngletOn had been out all th
morning engaged in fruitless scare
for his missing horse. So sure was h
70 that some Of his companions ha
turned the animal loose for a practica
e yet pointless joke, that be at first ha
D felt no uneasiness at finding him gon'
L But when the day wore to high moot
D aud he returned unsuccessful 10 th
3. cabin 20 dinner, he began 10 think I'll
p faithful creature was stolen.
e The day wore on, aud the family wei
d at their MONDAY meal, when a lou
halloa was heard outside, which ";
d answered in person by the Squire, wi
d was surprised to see the senior Hardin
n at the gate, his head down, and his gei
e eral appearance dogged in the extrem
u whats wanting ?" asked Il
d 'Sqnire, marked repelleuce in his ton
l. Il thought maybe you'd be missiI
4 the iron grey, and I thought I'd
D. neighborly and come aud tell you he
II dead ~ was the reply OF Captain Ha
dine; and IL constituted his fir