The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-11
CHAPTER XVI.
JOHN INoLEroN AeAIs.

And nov, good reader, while John and
Tirzah Hardine are pursuing their long
and tiresome way across the continent
and Mrs. Squire Ingleton is struggling
bravely with her great bereavement, lei
us leave these parties for a while and &c
forth in search Of John Ingleton, junior
nOwno longer, though he does not know
it. Let us leave the senior Hardine tC
his land-, and the Hardpans, father and
sou, 10 their money. Let Us leave Lie
Hardine, with her impetuous tempera.
ment, affectionate heart and indomita.
bic energy, to carry forward her double
burden OF care in the forms Of two help
less mothers, one Of them bound 20 her
heart-strings by ties Of affinity, and the
other by the not less stronger lies Of
consanguiuity. Let Us trust her TO bear
her burdens faithfully, for we have seen
that she has both the couscience and the
nerve TO do it, and we feel assured that
she will not fail, however trying her po-
sition, however wearing aud unsatisfac-
tory her lot.
Johu Ingleton looked hopefully for a
letter from Lie when he reached Fort
Laramie; but, in spite Of his longing,
in spite Of the poor girls attempt to
crafty his very just desire, sam Hard
pan had unwitiingly outwitted them
both. Aud Lies letter, so full Of low
ing words and hopeful promises for the
future, was making IFS slow, uncertain
way across the continent in secret pos
session OF Tirzah, now Mrs. Hardine,
while the rightful owner was many
miles ahead, and, through the blind for
tunes Of his destiny, was compelled TO
defect TO the snuthward aud tarry for
the Winter among the wilds Of Utah,
while his sister and her husband at
length passed oun ard, thus missing him
altogether.
Colonel Bsteman was well pleased
with the talent, honesty and readiness
Of his commi-sary clerk SO well pleased
that he soon learned to look upon his
presence aud services as alike indis-
pensab.e.
Not many leagues from tie pres, ut
site Of Salt Lake City was a military
post, nestled down in the heart Of the
Wahsa,ch Mountains, and stored with
army scpplies for the protection Of the
great interior frontier from Ind an dep
relations and Mormon treaelery. Here
the regiment under command Of Colonel
Batemau was ordered to remain, much
TO the disgust Of this worthy gentleman,
who would have vastly preferred Win
ter quarters on the farther Pacific slope,
aud away from the rigors of the Utah
climate.
John lngleton proved a thorough
adept in all matters pertaining to set
tling the camp for the Winter He be-
came the exactiug ColouePs counselor
and friend, and was willingly regarded
by the inferior officers as their equal in
personal If not in military rank. For
many days the busy work Of preparing
the quarters for Winter comfort went
steadily on, and when, at last, the ac-
tive work was done, and there was no
prospect before the regiment for any
particular deviation from the monotony
Of camp life for many months to come.
our hero was gratified to find himself
installed by special favor in The Colo |
nePs substantial house, his business, in /
the main, to read aloud for his COM
mander's edificatiou from rare old books. /
to possess which, had the jewel been his |
own, he would have gladly given the
kohinoor in exchange.
In this agreeable way the Winter
passed rapidly Oh, and Spring was again |
al hand.
One night when young Iugleton, who /
had for some time borne the sobriouet
Of Lieutenant, had been more than usu-
ally interested in some sort Of meta |
physical treatise upon the adaptation Of
ancient aud modern myths to all shades
Of religious belief, aud the theme had
grown dull for the Colonel in inverse
ratio to its zest for himself, he was in
terrupted by an impatient disclaimer
that, for the instant, pained him.
"Stop that book, / say, Lieutenant!
It's an iutolerable bore :"
"Why do you thinb so, sir?" asked
the reader, a mixture Of surprise and
disappointment apparent in his voice.
because humanity's a fool, and al
ways has been"
"Why do you think that, sir ?"
"Because ! know it, and can't help
thinking"
pardon me, sir, but have great
deal Of faith in humanity"
That's because you're young aud un-
sophisticated"
The young man wondered at the
ColonePs mood. The March wind
roared around the great log house and
tore madly at the gables, while the
glowing fire settled into heavy mass
Of beaming Goals, into which the Colonel
was steadily gazing. Possibly he was
tracing pictures there, as who has not
sometimes done when blest with the OPP
portunity, which our modern furnace
system is fast obliterating.
John closed the book and sighed
heavily.