The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1881-02-10
CHAPTER xxi.

CHAPTER XXI.
When the young shepherds came riding home
the new moon dipping her silver bow at the
edge of the western hills. Julia helped to shut up
the flock, and waited till Cleaveland put up the
horses, and then they came laughing in together
in very exuberance of joy.
Earle and Bertha sat by the window, and
Cleaveland and Julia walked up and stood arm
in-arm in front of them.
'Give us joy, old friends" said Charlie. "Jula
is going to Btter-sweet with me, when I shall
have gone up and made preparations-that is, if
her natural guardians do not object"
"Good ~ said Earle 1--WE have just been talk
ing about it, and 'Barkis is willin! We have
long since concluded you were made for each
other. Strange you did not think of it before"
''Yes, passing strange - said Cleaveland. "As
though had thought of anything else for the last
three or four months -
And both he and Julia laughed merrily.
The news was carried TO Roscoe and Florence
the very next day by the happy lovers, and their
consent was given Internationally. They all
knew Cleaveland to be such perfect gentleman
and honest, faithful man that they could find no
fault with him. Florence ventured to suggest that
Julia was "o'er young to marry yeti" but when
she saw how happy her sister was and how much
the two enjoyed each others society, she said no
more, but sent Immediately to Portland for the
few nice little things that even an Eastern Oregon
bride would consider Indispensable
While the preparations for the wedding were
going on, a happy thought struck Earle. So one
day, when all the family were together, he said
"What do you say, friends, to a wedding tour in
which we can all join? Let Charlie go up and
prepare things, and take up good load of camp
ers' utensils end bedding, and then come back and
fetch US for a months camping in the mountains.
Would you like to go, little wife? ?n
Il think it would be splendid ~ said Bertha.
'T have long wanted to see Bitter-sweet. 1t will
be nice and cool in the mountains in July"
1--WE will 60" said Earle
So the happy preparations went on, and the
wedding came off, as is said, and all went "merry
as a marriage bell"
Earle took a small band of horses up with him,
and Johnny Thomas went along to do the camp
work, and Julias sister Jennie went to help Ber-
tina with the babies, and to see Juia's new home.
They were a novel wedding party, babies, horses,
and all. They travelled slowly, camping at night
by the little streams that fed the Umatilla River;
or, as they came nearer to the mountains cold
springs that fed the streams became numerous,
and fish and game were not wanting to make
their camp fare delicious.
Johnny Thomas was invaluable He had spent
all his life on the frontier, and liked the camp life
better than any other. He made fun out Of the
Inconvenience Of camp cooking, and most deli
cious camp bread in a way that would have puz-
zled Philadelphia lawyer to explain. His quaint
songs and good-humored jokes at the campfire at
night helped the merriment on, and were irresist-
IDLY funny in themselves. He never permitted
the women or children to suffer an inconvenience
that he could remedy, but worked to gather
boughs and grass for their beds, and always Sc
lected the pleasantest spot for their tent. He
manifested delicaey of feeling which was re
niarkable in one who had had so little culture or
association with refined people, and his kindness
II heart and unselfsh ways were the love Of the
whole company.
srrhere is nothing like camp life and tiresome
iourneys over rough roads to bring out the un-
pleasant traits in character said Earle, "and oui
UttIe company stands the test vel; bat Johnny
MAS proven himself gem OF purest ray serene
mostly serene"
The merry parry finally arrived at the greer
ttt.la,,Ile, which was to be the Summer hom.
OF the young bride ana all the newcomers ex
- +beir 5elifht with its situation. Tall for
~ nine. uce and hemlock clothed tn
and ran down the edges Of tn
md vandykes OF dark green, an,
Of the sky-walI with the sam,
most luxurant grasses waved il