The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-02-27
EDTToRfAi, CORRESPONDENTS


fragments from the busy time that falls
to her itineraut lot, to use them in jot-
ting for you the items Of her Journey
ings, emboldened, by the favor with
which you have met her disjointed epis-
tolary efforts in the past, to hope for a
continuance Of the same lenience in the
future.
Yon all know by this time all about
the State Suffrage Convention, and
what a grand success it was. Well, its
labors left u, as usual, mentally, phys
ically and financially exhausted. And
while the other workers hied them to
their homes or pleasures, there was left
for US no alternative but to gird on the
armor of ambition aud go forth to renew
the year-long battle for liberty, bearing
aloft with weary arms, as best we might,
the ever glorious banner Of human
rights. But brief, though happy, res
pite awaited US for day or two. The
hOnOred father Of the Scott family, the
dear old sire, who has walked the world
for so many decades, had reached the
eve OF his seventieth year; and his sons
and daughters, eight in number, mutu-
ally agreed to pay him visit Of sur
prise and congratulation. We found
him in his quiet suburban home in the
classic shades OF Forest Grove, sur
rounded by peace aud plenty, his only
regret having been the apparent forget
fulness Of his children, who, absorbed in
their own active existence, he had but
now fancied, were not giving him a
thought on that day Of days. We gath
cred around the dear old hearthstone
and sang the songs Of our childhood.
The laughter Of bygone days echoed
through the spacious, low-ceiled rooms,
and the ruddy light from the cracking
Pitch-wood in the open fireplace played
upon the frost-crowned head Of the genial
patriarch, while dancing shadows frol-
licked everywhere. How rapidly the time
flew by on its viewless wings, and how
the ghosts OF long-forgotten days aud
years rose up to greet US with their ten
der "reminiscences. There was the va
cant chair of the blue-eyed mother,
whose beloved form has been slumber-
ing in the wilds of Wyoming for more
than a quarter Of a century, and hard by
sat the faithful second mother, whom
we all delight to honor, her kindly face
aglow with chastened gladness. And
there was Willie's place, who was not,
and Johns, who sleeps in the church,
yard on the hill, and Maggie's, who finds
eternal rest in the solitudes Of fTillamook.
"They grew in beauty. side by side.
They filled one home with ciee-
Their graves are severed FAR and wide,
Bymountain, stream and sea-
OF all the living, only one was absent,
but her filial remembrance came in both
missive and token, and we were all rep
resented. Many were the mingled wise
and sad aud witty utterances Of the dear
old sire, as he sank back in his chair,
half buried under his load Of presents.
And deep and heartfelt were the pray
ers of his children that he might be
spared to them yet many years. The
following address, by the undersigned,
the well-known lunatic Of the family,
so-called because she is the only one
who will hazard the family reputation
by essaying verse, was read amid i'm
| eprssive silence:
With dlial love these hearts are warm,
] Our father; and we come to-day.
AIured by memory's potent charm,
Small tribute Of respect 20 lay
Al the dear feet OF our dear sire,
T Who on the stream Of time has driued.
/ Till three-score years and ten have shed
Their golden glory DER his head,
I And on his path their sands have siucd.
Thy children we. with one accord.
Have treasured well this day and year;
And 30 % us doth JOY afford
To leave our homes and gather here,
Where Oft we've kuelt around the fire.
While unto heaven thy voice was lined,
I'm days long gone, as thou didst pray
Thy God 10 guide as day by day
Where'er our Iife-sands might be drilled.
We greet thee In this pleasant spot,
Surrounded by dear ones and true;
And though our mothers blood flows not
Through hearts that minister to you,
We fain would know her spirit sweet
Smiles fondly on the friends that love thee
Who cheer thy way toward the bright goal,
The home OF every trusting soul,
The angels home, not FAR above thee
Thy children come, but not with youth,
Nor care-free hearts, nor minds at rest;
For furrows seam our brows, and truth
Proclaims our bygone days our best.
But there's time when We shall meet,
And OH what rapture then will move thee,
With youth renewed, where sighs nor pain
Nor death nor parting e'er again
shall trouble thee, noI those that love thee.
Accept these tributes In our name.
Which at thy feet we fondly lay;
And unto Us accrue the blame
II aught be overlooked to-day.
We love you, father; could you hear
The thoughts we've breaihed in every token.
Your heart would echo every vow.
As we await your blessing now,
or e'er your golden bowl be broken.
OH when the next decade of years
Has coursed in full it, mystic round.
May groundless prove all hliaI fears.
And your place with us yet be found.
In halting rhyme these thoughts are spoken.
While other loved ones Iiuger near.
Who with your sons and daughters say
They wish you many happy day
And many welcome birthday token
The holiday was over The busy
world claimed the actors in this feeling
drama, and we could no longer tarry.
So, on Wednesday morning We bade the
dear object Of our visit a fearful goodbye,
and left him wearily climbing the four
score rung ofSlife's ladder, while we