The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-06-17
CHAPTER XXXL
ruWrEerawun

CHECKMArED.
Judge Hardpan took leave Of Peter
Tubbs and went elsewhere to seek for
food and lodgings. Mrs. Tubbs bad not
sought 20 learn anything further as to
whom the caller might have been she
had no curiosity on the subject; but
she had good reason to remember the
incident at another time. Her boarders
protested earnestly against her sudden
resolve 10 dismiss them from her table,
but without success.
81 will have all that / can do for the
remainder of the week 10 packing aud
preparing the children to go with me to
the country" she said, in explanation
Of her change Of plans.
Peter Tubbs was as suilen aud obsti-
nate as a refractory mule. He sat
around IN the kitchen all the day long,
apparently objectiug to no part Of his
"ife's programme, but really hindering
her all he could.
The thrift and tidiness which had all
along distinguished her as a house
keeper had not forsaken her during her
later years Of drudgery, poverty aud
wretchedness. And, now that removal,
the twentieth that she could recall, was
on the tapis, there was nothing about
the premises that failed 10 receive a
thorough overhauling. Bedticks, quilts,
comforts, blankets, carpets, dishes,
clothing, bed and table linen-eyery-
thing was washed. and meuded aud
ironed and secured and rubbed as though
her very life depended upon its renova-
tion. Peter offered noRssistauce. Once,
when asked TO help in removing
heavy burden, be sullenly refused, bis
answer bsing:
"Nou've taken the reins in your own
hands. Now 60 it aloneu'
1t was Saturday at last, and all was
ready for removal. Heavy boxes, con-
tanning the outfit for housekeeping
which she had from time TO time re-
ceived from her parents, stood in the
hall. Other boxes, bags and bundles.
filled with the renovated clothing of
herself and children, were stationed near
by. Dave, the colored oracle Of Chinca-
pin Oaks, with his once black, kinky
hair as white as the driven snow, aud
his once brawuy arms feeble with adj
vancing years, had come, in response to
a message from "Miss Liza" bringing
the team from her mothers farm, and
all were I'm readiness for their journey
Had the wife Of Peter Tubbs been less
pre-occupied, she might have observed a
change in her masters demeauor, dating
from his private interview with the
first customer she had dared to turn
away from her husbands table. And
yet, it was a barely perceptible change
a mere glittering Of the eyes and a gem
eral air Of self-satisied mystery that she
had no time 10 attempt to fathom. She
knew that Of himself he was powerless
to oppose her present determination, be-
cause be was powerless to support his
family, aud it did not once occur to her
that be would attempt to Invoke the
power Of the law.
you may put the heaviest boxes in
the wagon first, Uncle Dave" she said,
"and we'll pack the other things around
them"
"Too heavy to tote by myself sho,
Miss Liza. Massa Tubbs, won't you
bar a hand >"
NO! you unpIincipled cur ~ cried
tie legal master Of the house, suddenly
changing his tactics and revealing the
mystery of his previous doclity.
"Never you mind him, Uncle Dave %
exclaimed Mrs Tubbs. "These things
are mine. have not touched one thing
that Peter Tubbs ever paid for OF fur
nished for my use. Ny own clothing
and the children's, that l have pur-
chased with my own earnings, and the
bedding and other things that my par
ents gave me, is all that have any
claim upon. Peter, let me bear your
honest opinion. Don't you think these
things rightfully belong to me?n
"You are mine, aud so are they, Mrs.
Tubbs. I've not been as idle during the
past week as you imagined. When Won
catch a weasel asleep, you may begin TO
think about getting ahead o men
"But I'm not trying to get ahead n,
you, Peter. 1 have served You fifteen
years without promise or prospect of fee
or reward. You have failed to serve me
in return, or even take care Of yourself
I long ago ceased to expect you to be o
any assistance to me; but l do propos,
to give you an opportunity to serv,
yourself. Aud, in order that you ma,
have uniettered power to help yourself
will assume the expense, care and re
sponsibility OF rearing, feeding, clothini
and educating our seven children. Yoi
can visit them whenever you like
They shall be taught to love and respec
you, and when they are men and won
en-, and you are too old TO provide 70
yourself, they will see that you are care
for. I will stand as hostage for that
But 1 am determined, so far as / an
concerned, to bold my own destiny il
my owa keeping. / shall be legal,
separated from you as soon as the horri