The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-11-11

tItui sweet SINGER an ner paw Is hllSAi-s iiN"N"
her voice, an says she's bound to be somebody.
But hate TO hev her come down al that road
alone, an don't know how itu be. I'd a heap
ruther we'd GIT COED -eacher up thar. We could
pay EN- well ali never ieei it, IF we could git
one as could play the pianny, paw says he'd buy
one, plum for sartin, ef it did cost"
"HOw much would you be willing to pay for
good teacher up there ," asked Bertha
"Oh we'd pay sixty dollars a month an board,
an be glad to, eff we could git one was rale
good. But 1 don't s'pose genooine lady would
stay for no money, it's so lonesome an pOkey up
/ thar
Il have friend VINO Is q very nio girl. She is
teaching small private chool nav in Portland,
but she does not make as nluch as she would be
glad TO, and perhaps she would 60 your place.
She Is beautiful player and singer. If you will
tell me you daughters name, p, haps we can
make an arrangement tina vill suit you both"
oval, now, I'd be orful glad to git her, ef she's
as good rs you say. Ny gaPs name is Miss Smp-
kns, am she lives onto the same street the Court
House is onto, jess two blocks above, in a big tall
. house on the northeast rorat-r
"Why, l know Mrs. Simpkins. She is one Of
our neighbors, and think she is real nice" said
Bertha, with surprise in her voice.
/ "I.rw now, dew tell ~ said Mrs. Nimms. "YOu
]
you reckon she might be kind o. nice? An she's
your neighbor is she? Wal, I'm glad on it. I
allow III come an see you when git down thar,
ef it would be 'greeable."
At this reference to the time after her arrival at
home the remembrance Of her fathers illness
came over Bertha like "a wave, and her transpar-
ent face showed to the acute eyes of Mrs. Nimms
the shadow of trouble.
'Why, what grieyes ye honey? IF We shouldn't
want me"
But Bertha interrupted her.
oh il isn't that, Mrs. Nimms. 1t Is my father.
He Is dangerously sick with typhoid fever and |
am going down to see him-f-if he is alive" and
the tears rushed TO her eyes in moment. "Iou
will be very welcome, certainly"
'There, now take heart. Don't be a lookin on
the dark side. Mebby he's gittin' better this
minute. | wouldn't worry about il aforehand, ef
| was you. Your mawll be mighty glad To see We
comm, venter 10 say
''Yes, indeed she will - said Bertha, with
thrill Of JOY at the thought.
At thi, time "a loud whistle announced the ar
rival OF the boat at Vancouver.
''Who'd "a thought far along -
claimed Mrs. Nimms. ~ declare to goodness
I'm glad got acquainted with you, To pass away
the time"
Bertha thought pretty much the same thing;
but ovcr-careful polteness restrained her from
equal frankne-s, and she only said
/ 81 ann glad We are so far on our journey. | shall
soon bee home
The remaining part O. the trip was passed i'm
pleasant chat between these two such different
travelling companions and when the boat drew
near the wharf at Portland. Bertha felt greater
interest in Mrs. Nimm-, and more respect for her,
than she could nave believed She ever would have
B..r.
/ Bcrtha's brother Roscoe and her friend Anice
Merton rushed ON to the steamboat as soon as it
touched the wharf. She looked eagerly into their
eyes for news of her father; but glance at her
brother showed her that there was no welcome
tidiugs. Still, her first words were:
"How is my fatherr
''No better!" said Roscoe, sadly shaking his
head; but then his face lighted up a. he gazed
fondiy into his sisters face, and read there the
story Of her contentcd love
'How well YOU are looking" said he
- am well-ncver better in my life" said Ber-
tina. "Well, Anice dear, How goes ito"
/ "Al quiet on the Patomac" said Anice, with a
grim sort of half smile, rs she repeated one of
their old hy-words as though she was i'm a dream
81 cannot realize it il You. | seem To walking in
my sleep. think ann dazed with happiness or
something" she added, finally, as they walked on
Il feel as though should not be really sure of
You till have you in the house and give you a
good hug, you old darlingr
Then she started on i'm a half dancing step, and
burst out with a merry laugh, which ended in a
half sob of joy.
Let us hurry on" continued Anice. ~ can't
seem to keep in much longer I'm afraid / shall
do some ridiculous thing, scream or something, if
we don't get i'm somewhere. O Bertha ~ she
went on as she hugged her arm sis it really your
very own self, whole and well ?-and sweet as
ever" she added, under her breath.
t\O | am NOT Nrbola ~ cried Rartba "OulV