The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-09

Martha and her uncle.
The wedding day had been appointed
and, as Gerald owned little farm about
ten miles distant from the city, Martha
good sense suggested that It would be
better TO be comfortable farmers tnan
poor city folks, for the farm would be
dependence. Sleeping or resting, their
crops would be growing.
"What a wise little woman" said
Gerald, bali in earnest, half in jest. He
could not endure the thought Of Martha
drudging on a farm bat, in spite Of
proteststions, he at last fell into Martha's
plan happily, saying, "Of all avocations,
IL is the one / should choose for myself ;
but fear for you"
'But am perfectly healthy, and have
a strong heart for any fate with you /;
and then, have expected to marry a
poor man for the last seven years, and
have not been idle, but have endeavored
to render myself g competent, practical
housekeeper. Do not be frightened, !"
she ad led, laughing at bis wOnderment,
"but l wish to impress upon you the
fact that We shall need no Phillis to
break our harmony-and he'dishes"
Soon after this conversation, Gerald
took q ride to the farm and inspected
the house. Upon opening the door, be
was oppressed by a mouldy smell, and
found it little fit to be the habitation Of
man. However, patience worked it, re-
ward AZ last, and, cleaned, papered and
painted, it presented an agreeable as
pect. But Gerald was troubled In spirit,
for be had expended bis small means,
and not a piece of furniture had he
bought; and Martha, seeing a cloud
upon his brow, coaxed from him his
dilemma.
"Oh'' she cried, merrily. "Auntle
has given me a store Of old cast-away
furniture. There are piles Of it in the
attic"
He looked forlorn enough Had he
brought her to such extremity as this /?
"Come aud see our treasures" she
said, and roguishly tantalized him with
the sight Of a misshapen mass Of furni-
ture, which she declared triumphautly
to be all her own. "Ah % she said, "you
have yet to learn, love, the magic Of
paint, glue and varnish."
Then, more gravely, she extolled an
old kitchen range that lay there, and
1icr,tave1 al fF,s-art ,,,arfts mill O., ,,-.,,
away half comforted. But at night he
had the nightmare, and dreamed that
the furniture took human shape and
battled with him.
The wedding ceremony was performed
at the house Of Marths's uncle, who
looked like an astrologer foretelling her
doom; aud the aunts and all the cousins
sighed most lugubriously over tear-wet
But, as a bit Of comfort
amidst this general wretcheduess,
Martha's uncle put three hundred dol
lars into her hand at parting.
"For pin money, my dear" he had
said but she thought, at shall be for a
rainy day"
Gerald and Martha were glad TO es-
cape into the open air, as they started to
the farm, "upon their wedding tour,' as
Martha humorously called il. The
winds blew bleak, aud the carriage
jolied over a rough road, and Gerald
feared for Martha's discomfort; but one
look at that dear, unrufIied face, and his
faint heart took courage.
Through storm aud tide, we shall
reach sunny shore at last, love-" he
whispered; and love and hope cast their
halo Of glory around them.
The day before his marriage, Gerald
had taken to the farm the furniture
which Martha had selected from the
debris as useful to them, which con-
sisted Of a kitchen range, parlor stove,
drum, two dozen chairs, three old
lounges, three arm chairs, two rocking
chairs, a kitchen and a psrlor table,
three bedsteads, several wash-staads,
halfworn mats, and many bright pieces
Of carpeting. Gerald put up the stoves,
and with stove polish and hard labor
did justice to them for, from rusty, un-
slightly things, they became as bright
and fine as new; and in a msn fashion
he put things to rights as much as pos
sible. But how scant and dilapidated
looked the appointments! He thought
sadly that It was a forlorn place to usher
a bride into. But what a bright-faced
bride entered bis door with him, not at
all cast down, but blooming with health
and hopel A bright fire soon cracked
in the kitchen range, aud its CHEEKY
warmth seemed to say, Welcome
home" Martha, divested OF bridal ar
ray, set about making preparations for
their simple repast.
ooh, my deari' said Gerald, repiu-
ingly, SIT is a shame for you to do such
kind Of work"
"Why a shame, my husband? In
deed. Il would be shame for me to keep
help, when I am so strong and well,
without an ache OF pain. Be not cast
down, for my lot is one have chosen
and I prophesy that it will be a happy
one"
What premonitions Of ill could pre-
vail against such a smiling faced
! prophecies, strong and brave at heart al
any warrior? What wonder that th,
little misty doubt clouds we're frightened
away, and that they set themselvei
down 10 their unostentatious meal lik'