The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-11-18

mighty material, only he's pore and sick-lOOkn'." >"
Bertha explained that she had met Mrs. Nimms
on the journey down the Columbia, that she was
the mother of Mrs. Simpkins, and had offered to
come and help take care of Mr.. Wills, and after a
little quiet talk, the old lady went away
Afterward Bertha told her mother that Mrs.
Nimms was an old acquaintance of her fathers,
and seemed kind-hearted and anxious to render
assistance
1--WE have plenty of neighbors who are willing
to help" said her mother; "but you know we
could not think Of leaving him until the danger is
fully past"
Mrs. Nimms came the next day and sat an hour
or more with the convalescent, and proved herself
careful and thoughtful nurse, saying little, but
looking so cheery and hopeful, that when, on the
following morning, she came again, Bertha's
mother consented to leave the sick man in her
care and 90 out awhile for fresh air.
BY this time Mr.. Wills was beginning TO seem
more like himself and to take an interest i'm his
rouhdins~. lie watched Mrs. Nilnms inteutly as
she sat and famed him and talked occasionally
with Bertha, and finally said
1T seems to me that must have seen yourface
before, and your voice sounds familiar, Mrs.
Nimms but the name is not"
81 haven't alters had this name" said the old
lady. 'AIy name usened TO be Marshall, Cathy
Fanny You knowed me, BurtaiG Wills, when |
was a gal down in ole Barren county," and her
eyes sparkled with restrained enthusiasm
''Sure enough" said Mr.. Wills, looking pleased
THAT is just who was reminded of, - and he held
out his hand and gave hers a hearty shake.
"Where is your home, and when did you come
out to this country >" said he.
1--WE live up to Pen'eton, my ole man an me
an the two gals, an we come here in 80 from
Missourah, an took claim up in Linn county,
nigh the mount'ins, an my ole man bought sheep
an when he got a good band he tuck 'em east o.
the mountin>, an then / follered. | found my
ole man in Missourah. He's Yorker an mighty
smart"
"Well, WELL" said Mr.. Wills ''my wife is from
New York, too and think that is a place where
they raise smart people. And you are the same
Cathy Fanny that used TO 20 to school with
And do you remember the time when Joe Daniel
Williams wanted % take YOU to the party at
Bunch Mitchcll'~, and / cut him out >"
"Land O. maS~y! | reckon | do - said the old
lady, laughing. "An' do you remember that time
| rode behind you on ole Fox from Bud Barnels
down % Uncle Georges through the rain an mud,
an lost my doncin' slippers 49,
Indeed / do" said Mr.. Wills "And how
ashamed you when we met Tommy Yates. /
because you had your arm around me. You were
young anu hdudNoulc luelt ana Iull OF run ana 7
mischief"
1--WE got gal as is as full's ever was though /
her paw says she'll never be as han'sum. My .
Dithy is mighty hirtatious an pcart-like if l 10
say it, as ought'nter"
Mr.. Wills looked with loving eyes at his daugh- .
ter who sat beside him, listening with much .
amusement to these "reminiscences of her fathers .
early days.
81 have good, smart girl, too" he said "She .
is all the girl have, but would not swap her for
a dozen Of anybody elses girls"
And so the morning hours were passed in pleas
ant chat, and Mr. Wills was the better for the .
little stir Of unusual excitement
TO bee continued