The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-06-10
CHAPTER XXX.

A JUDGES ADVICE.
Peter Tubbs was determined TO dis
pute the will of the senior Hardine.
For years he had been impatiently
awaiting the death Of his father-in-law,
in the not unreasonable expectation OF
stepping into his cabin home and taking
possession OF the farm. Not that he
calculated upon the entire estate, or
even very much more than half Of it /;
but he fully expected that his wife
would receive the liou's share as a leg
acy, Ia which case he would have been
provided for during the remainder Of his
days. But that dream was over now,
and he contented himself to lean yet
more heavily upon the burdened shoul-
ders Of his never com planning wife, aud
really felt that his part of life's pro-
gramme was being enacted in a routine
Of endless fault-findlng, in which lie
was most proficient.
Mrs. Tubbs scorued the idea Of litiga-
tion in relation to her fathers estate,
aud for once Peter Tubbs was so situated
that he could not act independently OF
her. On several occasions he essayed
to consult a lawyer and make a case,
but his wife persisteutly refused to be-
come party TO the suit; and she, in
stead Of himself, being the real heir, il
was decided that 10 would not be legal
to 60 on in an attempt to contest the
will without her Individual sanction
aud consent.
All through the iolg lists of statutes
compiled by men, and in spite Of their
studied attempts to Ignore the person
ality Of women, are occasional flashes Of
the light Of justice-just enough to
make the darkness Of her general prop
erty surroundings visible.
Ibid you re.j the new advertise
ments in the morning paper, Peter?"
asked bis weary wife one day, shortly
after their last bitter controversy on the
will question.
What advertisements ?"
The head Of the family was seated in
the kitchen on the wood-box behind the
great clumsy stove, his feet resting leis-
urely upon a sack OF flour that Mrs.
Tubbs, vino was busy al the wash-iub,
had not yet had time to empty I'm the
-four chest since it had been left, an
hour before, 10y the grocer.
"The two advertisemcuts-One for
help Oh the Old Hardine farm, and the
other for men TO work 10 the Shubrlck
mine. There's good opportunity for
you TO earn wages in either Of those
places, and pm sure I'd rather 90 out TO
work by the day, II 1 we're you, than to
allow any woman to support me by her
toll over the wash-tub or at tie cooking
stove"
Ny reader kpows there is nothing
that so quickly wounds the sensitive
nature of wife-supported man as for
that same wife TO tell him Of IL; and tie
only reason I can give for such mems
displeasure over allusion TO such a fact
lies in the self-evideut proof that it is
true. It rarely ofIends a wife for her
husband TO speak Of supporting her, for
her inner consciousness atiests the fact,
at least TO herself, that the daily toll and
faithful service OF her wifehood would
insure, not only mere support, but a
competence for old age, If the same toll
and service were given 10 the interest Of
any one else but her husband.
Tie towering rage Of Peer Tubbs
arose and grew in response 70 his wife's
retort. till it bordered upon the sublime.
He arose and closed the door leading TO
the dining-room.
"I don't care u d-n wha, you say 10
me when we're alone, ole womanr' be
exclaimed, through his cienched teeth
"but when you make use OF disTespect-
full Language in the presence Of my board
ers, you go a step too far want you
to understand, madam, that you're 10
know your place Aud, as for going 10
work for John Hardine, on a rancho
that rightfully belongs TO me, want
you to know that you're reckoning
without your hostI Here's a man that
will be q fiunkey for nobody -
Mrs. Tubbs Strengthened herself from
over the wash-tub aud deliberately con-
fronted her husband with a meaning
smile. She raised one corner Of her
apron and wiped her hands aud arms.
She rolled down the sleeves Of her cheap
calico gown and buitoned them at the
wrists. Then she removed her apron
and smOothed her hair and dropped leis
urely into a seat.
Peter Tubbs looked AZ her in amaze
ment.
"a man wants breakfast, mother
Aud he says maybe he'd like roon
and be willing to board with Us a spell. .
said one of the children, who rushe,
into the kitchen in an excited way pc
culiar to the little folks
Mrs. Tubbs did not seem 10 notice thN
child's information.
"Did you hear, Lie ?" asked lie
husband, after a pause.
"Yes"
"why dou't you 60 aud see th.
man?D
''Beeause I'd have you TO understand