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About The new Northwest. (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 1875)
i I Mb Hem Hotfteesil A Journal for the People: ' Devoted to the Interests of Humanity. Independent In Politics and Religion. Alive to all Live Issues, and Thoroughly Radical in Opposing and Exposing the Wrongs of the Masses. , ME5. A. J. DCX1WAT, tOltor and Proprietor. VFnC-('rurr First anil Afch StrreU. terms, in advance : One year- -S3 00 -175 1 00 Rlx months . Three mouths.. Free Speech, Pre e. Press, Free People. Correspondents "writing oyer assumed signa tures must make known their names to the Editor, or no attention will be given to their communications. - ADVERTISEMENTS Inserted on Reasonable Terms. TOLTJME V- FOTtTILAJPOO, OREGON, rRIDAY, OCTOBER , 1875. CAPTAIN GRAY'S COMPANY; on Crossing the Plains ana tiring In Oregon. Br Mrs. A. J. DUNIWAY, author op "jtmrrn rkid," "eixex dowd," "AMIK AND HENRY LEE," "ITIE HAPPY MOJIE," ETC., ETC, ETC Entered, according to Act of Congress, In the year 1859, by Mrs. A. J. Dunlway, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington City. Written In 1858 and first published by S. J. Mc Cormlck in book form in 1859. Introduction. Very nearly twenty years ago the author of the following story, having always lived upon a form, and being wholly Ignorant of all prac tical knowledge of the literary world, her asso ciations confined to the illiterate and strug gling pioneers of the land of her adoption, con ceived the Idea of entering in some way the world's arena of letters. Being possessed of fertile imagination, imperfect education, affec tionate nature, feeble strength, and romantic disposition, and having encountered many strange experiences "which made her tired and old before her time," Mrs. Dunlway complied ber crude ideas in the form of a novel, many, and Indeed all the Importantincldents thereof, being founded upon facts, so grouped as to form a connected story. She has been induced to re-publish the work in these colnmns, partly because of a desire to revise and correct the original work of both herself and the publisher, and partly because so often urged to do so by subscribers, that she feels under obligation to accede to their demands. Dertlcntlon. To the Pioneers of Oregon, and to all friends of the great Northwest who desire to awaken an Interest In our State and Washington Terri tory in the minds ol the thousands of dwellers in the frigid climate of Eastern winters and the torrid temperature of Eastern summers, this revised relic of the reminiscences of her youth Is respectfully dedicated, by The Actiior. CHAPTER XXL THE DOUBLE WEDDISO. Hubert Munson determined to live the life of a farmer. His father was horrified at this determination, and did everything in his power to induce him to follow his profession. "Why, father, there's more lawyers in the country now than there are cases to be tried. The whole territory is over-' run with them." "But you surely would not stoop to a plebeian vocation?" "Farming is the most honorable. em ployment in the world. What do I care, if snobs think differently? Have you read Frank Soule's poem upon labor? California's poet speaks my senti ments." "I have not Been it." "Here it is," pulling a journal from his pocket, and handing it to his father, who read it over aloud with a satisfied air, which was a greater eulogium upon its merit than are the high-sounding praises that most persons are wont to bestow upon genius. "It will do, my son; still I must own that I am disappointed. Your bride elect will honor you in any station, by her sense, accomplishments apd beauty, and a farm is not the place for her." This was the first praise that Hubert had heard his father lavish upon his be loved since his return, and a tear of emotion glistened in his eye. "She desires to live upon a farm, near her brother and Floy, and if Herbert Goodwin can be a farmer, Hubert Mun son is not too good to follow the same "vocation. He says that folks have often told him that he'd make a mark in the world, and he's going to do it in the shape of furrows." "Well, it's of no use to argue the point with you, and I hope you'll suc ceed in what you design to undertake." "Thank you, dear father; I bopo yet to be a man worthy of the name." In compliance with the request of their friends, Effie and Florence agreed that the double weddiug Bhould take place at the house of Maurice Stanton, upon the first day of October. This lovely country seat was now furnished and neatly fitted up throughout. As an example of what diligence and economy may do in a new country, we will notice his success in seven years of toil and pleasure. He had lived in accordance with his principle, that none need be discontented because his ambition is clogged by poverty. He began with al most nothing, but instead of not allow ing himself to live while preparing himself a comfortable home for the fu ture, he "lived all the time." While many who began with better prospects than himself, but were not content to work and isait, spent the same number of years n constant anxiety and toil, always moving from "post to pillar," and engaging In this scheme and that, prospered slowly or not at all, he grew up with tho country. These migratory, scheming persons cannot live; they ex ist, it is true, but so fluctuating is their business, and so futile many of their speculations, that wholesome quietude Is something unknown or unexpected, at least with certainty. JBut to return to the wedding. It was evening. A gay company of nappy persons, young and old, were as sembled in Ada's pleasant and ample parlor. Conspicuous among the most nonored guests -were Farmer Gray's ioiks, uaaay Green's familv. and Sam Green, with hls-wife and numerous progeny. Herbert said that they were too kind to his mother, when she needed their help, for him to negleot them, even if they were coarse and un refined. The contrast between them and a few chosen aristocratic guests irom tne cities was amusing, but Mau rice, Ada and the brides- and grooms elect did not appear to discern the dif ference. The hostess introduced them to ber most distinguished guests, told how they became acquainted, and ca ressed Polly's awkward, sun-burnt, tow-headed children, as though their clothing were muslin and embroidery, instead of blue-drilling and calico. "Mrs. Stanton exhibits shocking bad taste!" said Mrs. Warren, whom wo recognize as Augusta Morton. She had caught Florence's discarded lover, and this was the commencement of a wedding excursion from Portland to Corvallls. George Danvers, with whom we also became slightly acquainted at Mrs. Card's soiree, was present with his bride, Delphine Howard that was, who looked upon thoxustic company with a. curling underlip. They were not in vited guests, but had made it convenient to be atValley.Brook uporf the wedding occasion, perhaps, from prying curios ity. "When I saw Mrs. Stanton at Oregon City last summer I didn't think she bad such neighbors as these. I should think she'd be ashamed of tbem ! She knows we never associate with such folks," said the amiable Mrs. Warren. "Oh, she's as independent as Herbert and his sister, or Eliza Crandall. I be lieve Floy Willard is just such a crea ture, as great a lady as she must con sider herself to be. By the way, do you know that Eliza is going to be married? I hear that Hugh Waters is paying par ticular attention to her," replied Mrs. Danvers. "Pshaw ! he won't have her ! He's a gentleman, but she is mauy removes from a lady." "Hush! we'll attract listeners. We don't know what kind of company we're in." A stir was occasioned by the arrival of the minister, who entered the front par lor with pleasant smiles and agreeable words for all. Folding-doors that com municated with a richly furnished bou doir were thrown open, and the brides elect appeared, looking like spirits from cloud-land, and leaning upon the arms of their noble-looking suitors. Fanny Waters and Eliza Crandall were the bridesmaids, and Hugh Waters and George Crandall, a brother of Eliza, lately returned from California, were the chosen groomsmen. Dresses of white gauze, and wreaths of orange flowers, draped the exquisite forms of the brides wtih aerial loveliness. Mrs. Gray thought it was "mighty extrava gant, but as they didn't owe nuthin', she guessed it wasn' t nobody's business." The bystanders scarcely breathed dur ing the short, doubly-spoken ceremony; and the prayer, so appropriate, so touch ing, caused the tears to fall from many eyes. If Herbert looked noble, as he held the hand of his beautiful, marble faced bride, Hubert looked none the less so, as he gazed upon the glowing cheeks of his chosen one. The wedding banquet, being a novelty in its way, should not be overlooked. Instead of a vast amount of enticing and indigestible knick-knacks, a well filled board of healthy food was pre sented without apology or comment, to the wondering guests. Fruits of the most delicious kinds, both wild and tame, so common in the territory, were prepared in a manner that reflected great credit upon Mrs. Stanton's culi nary skill; while choice viands of many descriptions, which she knew contained no unhealthy ingredients, were bounti fully provided. The evening, which gave promise of being so pleasant, was taking its de parture in a driving rain. Those, who lived within six or eight miles of the mansion had expected to return home, but the storm beat piteously against the windows and howled through the now almost denuded branches of the kingly oaks, warning them to stay in doors and wait for its fury to abate. Music, rep artee, conversation respecting gold mines, farming, stock, race-horses, high-schools, the weather, the grass, the fern, the fir timber, now buildings and politics, were the amusements un til late. The rain had ceased to fall in torrents, and a fine, driving mist filled the air, and a "darkness that conld be felt," obscured the nearest objects. Go ing home was impossible, and there were not sleeping accommodations enough in the house for others than the many who had come from a distance. Maurice was at a loss, bnt, Ada's quick wit soon drove away his perplexity. "I can manage this dilemma to a nicety, Maurice. The barn is full of sweet hay, upon which the men can sleep, and I can make family beds over the carpets for the ladies and children." "It takes a woman to make the best of an emergency. This Is the very thing. Come, gentlemen, there are not more than twenty of you; I can istow you away in the hay as snugly as mice." And he lighted a lantern, buttoned a great-coat under his chin, and led the van of retreating sleep-hunters. The men in the barn bad an inspirit ing time. Every country Oregonian carries a blanket, and, in case of an un expected bivouac, his Spanish saddle serves as a pillow. A man who cannot sleep comfortably when thus equipped Is laughed at more than pitied. The men from the cities were pleased with the novelty of a "sleep In the hay," and a blanket from Ada's ample store for each one of them was bed-clothing sufficient for the occasion. Mrs. Gray was sorely troubled. "Nobody ever Learn of a weddin' on a stormy night that turned out well, and she was mighty 'fraid there was other storms a-brew-in'. "Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Gray; there'll be no storms that won't blow over; I'll guarantee that," said Eliza. The morning, pleasant and clear, dawned before much sleep was thought of. Choice leavings from the nuptial banquet were reserved for breakfast, and the clock pointed suggestively to the farmers' dinner hour, before the "Bounding Elk" wasliailedby Warren and B-anvers, who, with their brides, took a formal leave of the newly-mar-. ried pairs, promising to call upon their return from "up the country." "Well," said Farmer Gray, "I guess we've troubled ye long enough. Sally, the Durhams." "Do you still work oxen, Farmer ye'd as well git ready while I yoke up Gray ?" Effle asked. "Of course I do. D'ye s'pose I'd have horses here, when I never had none In Suckerdom? The roads In my burg ain't fit for horse-wagons, no how. If the old woman can't ride behind my steers, she can walk, or stay at home." "You could afford to purchase horses, couldn't you ?" "I reckon I can afford it. I sold six thousand dollars' worth of apples a month ago, an' didn't owe a cent before that." "Have you buried the money ?" Effie asked involuntarily. She looked in amazement at his coarse coat, cow-hide boots and home-made straw hat, and then glanced at the garb of his wife, who was attired to suit her Idea of econ omy, in a dark delaine dress and checked gingham apron. "Don't accuse me of burying money ! I bought another section o' land for mo an' Sam, an' two thousand dollars worth o' cattle." "Have you built a new house?" "Well, I have. It's a better house than I had in Illinois. The logs is hewed, an' there is mud in the cracks. I lined it inside and' out with shaved cedar lumber. But I shan't tell ye any more about it. Ye can come an' see for yourself how we're a swimmin', fori tell ye, hard times is over with us." .'Tguess we will call and see you the day after to-morrow. Wo are going to see my new sister's uncle, and can go by your house." "That's all right. We won't be at home afore to-morrow evening, but Sally'll have lots o' good fodder fixed up afore you get there." Polly joined in urging them to visit her, and they were all soon homeward bound, Sara, Polly and the children rid ing in the wagon with their parents and Charlie Graves, while Daddy Green's folks galloped ahead on horse back. "Well," said Hubert, watching the slowly retreating wagon, "I do wonder what that man wants with so much land. Twelve hundred and eighty acres, and anxious to get more." "land will be worth ten times its present value in Oregon, before many years," said Ada. "Yes, when he's under the sod, and his heirs are quarreling over it. I'm going to see how I can make my farm of one hundred and sixty acres appear and pay." "Effle, are you going to live upon a farm ?" said Maurice. "That is our intention. Mr. Munson thinks he'll like to live upon a farm near brother and Floy." "I am not going to let them go away Mr. Stanton. They must live with us until their house is done. This little lily' of the valley shall not be trans planted to a mountain top," said Flor ence, twining her fingers in her sister's glossy hair. "You speak In riddles, dear Florence." "Whichlcan easily solve, sister. We are going to keep you in your native el ement. You are delicate now, and will not thrive in the city, where you can't smell wild-wood flowers and romp over grassy meadows." "What have you to say about it, Hubert?" "I agree to their plans; I hale to be a drone in society, and I am going to work. Unlike Farmer Gray, I think more of my eye than my pocket, but I believe if Stanton can get along so well as a farmer, my pockets won't suffer either, for I think I am about as clever as he is. Come, Mr. Stanton, and tell us the secret of your success. Effie tells me that you began here seven years ago without friends or money. Now you have a healthy wife, so uncommon a sight in these days, beautiful children, and everything around you that heart can wish." "My wife has done the work of two or three women in the time you speak of. The simple reason why she stands it so well, is beca'UBo she never works unless she is able to do so. The most useful machine on a farm should cer tainly be kept in repair. If she gets a little sick, I put heron ahorse and turn her out in the hills, doing the housework myself until she gets well. It's all non sense that the man hasn't the time to do so, which is the common excuse. Such men find time to bury their wives, and to hunt others when tbey die." '."Hubert, yon and I must take pattern after them In our new xelatlons. I hope many years will pass away before my Floy's animation leaves her. I'll do what I can to make ber life a pleasant one." "I hope, Herbert, that your regard for my welfare will not exceed mine for yours." "If you don't take good care of my brother, Floy, you and I will quarrel as Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Green used to." "What shall I say to you about taking care of my worthy cousin, you saucy sprite ?" 'Til give you liberty to scold me whenever you think I need it, Floy." "P1I remember that; but don't you think that George Crandall and Fanny Waters are on the high .road to matri mony?" "There'll bo a double swapping of brothers and sisters at Portland and Or egon City, before long." "Come, ladies," said Herbert rising, "Tom is out here with the horses, and we can have a ride." Oregon ladles are generally practiced equestrians. Ada left her children with her father-in-law, and was as free as the rest. Effie was mounted first. "Good-bye, Hubert!" and waving her pocket-handkerchief, her graceful steed bounded away. "You can't leave me," said Ada, with a peculiar chuck to Flaxy, who, though getting old in years, was as young in spirit as his mistress. In high glee she darted past the company, and was soon waving her handkerchief In Rocker's eyes, who exerted himself to do double duty, not fancying Flaxy's near ap proach, and for fifteen minutes the almost even race continued. At length, the road left the prairie, taking a course through adense fir forest. They did not wish to get lost from their would-be es corts, aud reined up the horses to wait for them. "Here they are ! Why, ladies, what circus have yon left ?" said Hubert, as he came up, in admiration of Effie's skill in horsemanship. "The circus of the prairies, at your service, sir," she replied, pointing to the plain through which they had almost flown. "Where's Herbert and Floy ?" "Here they all come," said Ada. "Which way shall we go, Maurice ?" "If we follow the road through the timber, it will lead us to an exposed mountain side, where we will have a view that will repay us for the trouble." Their progress through the timber was necessarily slow. They rode more than an hour before they reached the mountain's base, and the ascent was somewhat difficult. When theyreached the table-land to which Maurice had guided them, the sky bad become so completely overcast with clouds, that the view of distant mountains they had hoped to get, was obscured. A hard shower came, however, to the rescue, and when its half hour's work was done, the heaviest cloud bore away to the east, leaving gorgeous piles of dark, pur ple and golden ones, boiling up majes tically in the sun-illumined west. Her bert, who, as the reader has already seen, had a great taste for repeating po etry, drew Florence to his side, under a sheltering fir, and repeated, dramat ically: "Land of the forest and the rock, Of dark ravine and rolling river, Of mountains reared on high to mock The storm's career and lightning's shock, My own green land forever." Florence replied: "Oh give me back my native hills, My dasled meads and troubled rills, And groves of pine. Oh, give me too, the mountain air, 3Iy youthful days without a care, When rose for me a mother's prayer, In tones divine." "You have the 'monntaln air,' 'dasied meads,' 'troubled rills,' and 'groves of pine,' in Oregon, dearie. But the days that are gone, and your mother's fire side, you cannot recall, here or else where. Do you really desire to go back to your native home ?" "Not now. I love somebody better now than my natlye land, but I have wished that vain wish a thousand times." Bnt where was Effie ? She had taken a small book from Hubert's pocket, and while the others were talking of the storm, she was writing of it while sit ting upon a rock by Hubert's side, shel tered by an overjutting cliff. Maurice and Ada were standing a little apart from them, watching the changing clouds and diversified scenery, in sym pathetic love of the beautiful. "Well ! well !" said Hubert "Here is a married pair who have had oppor tunities to quarrel every day for more than six years, and the honey-moon hasn't waned yet !" "Yes," said Ada; "we are happy. We have toiled together forour daily bread; have known parents' solicitude for pre cious little ones; have lived in adversity and prosperity, and have never had an angry dispute. We have a pleasant past to contemplate, and look forward to the future with as much pleasant antic ipation as you do. This is putting a bright face upon matrimonial life, but where folks are properly mated, it's a true one." "You can prove all this by me," said Maurice, with a smile. "Effle, what are you writing?" Ada had just discovered what she was doing. "Ypu can see for yourself." Ada took the book and read: Lo, o'er the mighty mountain top, O'er rolling plain and towering tree, O'er crags, aeries, "domes of rock," "O'er air and earth, and sky and sea,'-' The storm-god moves apace. How hushed and still is Nature's pulse. How bird and beast, and leaf and flower, As though they dread the wind's outburst, All bow their heads In this grand hour, . Before tho dark cloud's face. The storm-car rplls with greater speed, The lightning flashes rendlho air. And I, with awe and pleasure heed What many watch In fell despair. As they with quailing eyes Watch the grand looming of those piles Of fleeces, amber, black, and gold, And purple tints arranged in files, Shaped in Dame Nature's choicest mould, "Beneath tho arching skies." "Let me look"atthat, if you please." Maurice glanced-a't the composition a few moments, and then read it aloud. "That will do, beauty. 1 see by the quotations, that you don't claim credit for what is not your own. Why don't you sometimes get your poems printed ?" "Because I dread it. Tho most peace ful way to live is to keep out of the newspapers." 'Sister, it seems to me that the good Book says, 'Let your light shine.' " "Somebody would blow It out if I should." "You'd have that risk to run." "But I shan't rim it. I write, for I cannot help it, but my verses shall not bo published while I live, unless I write without a signature, for the 'Oregon Magazine.' " "Well," said Ada, "it is time to start home. Flora and Henry will think the time long;" and suiting the action to the word, she mounted Flaxy, who was champing the bit in his eagerness to They called upon Mrs. Welden, as they returned. She was sitting in the portico engaged in sewing, while Celia was reading aloud from a new publica tion, in which mother and daughter were alike interested. "Oh, Meggie," said Ada, as she alighted, "you ought to have gone with us. We were in a most refreshing storm, and after that was over, the splendid view of gorgeous clouds, snow crowued mountains, and wide-spread valleys and forests, was most enchant ing." "I should have gone, but I have lonely freaks, when company is almost intolerable. Such a spell crossed me to day, and I felt that Icould not enjoy the excursion." "You musn't be unhappy, Meggie." "I am far from that; but I am some times a little dull." Howard had built the kitchen fire, and Mrs. Welden arose to prepare tea. "No, don't think of such a thing. Father and the children will be looking for us. I told the children that I would be at home before tea, and I never break a promise with them." Some refreshments in the form of ap ples, pie, and cake could not be refnsed, and after a half-hour's pleasant chat, the equestrians took their departure. "This country is an excellent place for poor folks, if they have thrift enough to manago anywhere," said Herbert, when commenting upon the widow's success. "Why don't she get married, Mrs. Stanton? She Is beautiful, accom plished, and good. "It's strange that some lucky customer hasn't carried off the prize before now," Hubert remarked thoughtfully. "She doesn't remain single from want of opportunities to marry. Her union with her husband was rather unhappy, until the last month of his life, and she looks forward to a futuro meeting, say ing they will understand each other in Paradise. Whether her theory is cor rect or not, I do not pretend to say, but she is conscientious in it, and that, I suppose, is sufficient." "I know a man who would just suit her," observed Herbert. "Let a newly-married man alone for making matches," laughed Maurice. To be continued. The Appreciation op the Great Poets. Fashions alter, but not man hood. Taste In literary form changes, but not the appreciation of literary genius. It Is only when a man makes himself conspicuous by a literary trick of some kind that he presently sinks out of sight. No change of taste or form affects Chaucer. Spenser, bbak speare, Milton, or even Dryden or lieorge lieruert. xney suiue on iiKe stars whi-u Hie bonfires are exhausted and the candies are blown out. The ex elusive admiration and attention which a great poet excites id his own time in the susceptible mind of youth give him a disproportionud prominence, such as Tenuvson holds hi many minds to-day, and such as Byron held with the men of sixty yeare ago. ills tone is so nttea to the feeling and experience of his time that the generation which receives him can hardly tolerate any subsequent strain. The men and women who grew up with Byron, who wooed with him, who traveled With him, who were filled with him, are almost jealous of another tone. Think of the first strain of Ten nyson Inbis poem, " Where Claribel low lietb," falling upon the minds and hearts that had melted with Byron's "Dream," or exulted with Scott's "Marmion," or were strung into rapture by Campbell's "Mariners oi jingiana !" Fondness for the Tennysonian poetry could seem to tbem only a vertiginous mania. But this is a prospective, not a retrospective effect. The devotee of Rvron. who could not like Wordsworth or Tennyson, did not renounce the earlier poets, and was still loyal to Pope nnd Drvdon. to Milton. Shaksoeare and Chaucer. Editor's Easy Chair, in Har pers Magazine for October. Oannot Afford to Marry. There are 25.000 vounir men in Chi cago who cannot afford to marry that is, they cannot afford to marrv the average city girl, with her passion for dress and bonnets and jewelry. That is what they say. Possibly a frank con sultation between the two would pave the way to explanation and satisfactory arrangements; but bow to have such consultation? There's the rub. Be cause there is not a particle of doubt that the thousands of girls and at least a goodly number of young men would be willing to make some personal sacrifices to attain marriage. Thus, if they could only frankly approach the subject, Henry might say to Amelia : "it's too bad; but the fact is, a young man cannot afford a wife now-a-days." And Amelia would "very likely re spond: "I can't see why they cannot as well aiiora tnem now as a few years ago; and they used to get married, you muse aamic." And Henry rejoins : "Women are so expensive now. That's the trouble. Just look at it. I get $1,200 a year. Now, how the deuce can I support a wife on 5i,ju ? wny, it costs me all that to live myself." "But see how you Hvei" responds Amelia. "Not extravagantly," says Henry. 'I pay $8 a week for board: that's let me see eight times two are sixteen: eight times five are forty, and one is lorty-one lour nunared and sixteen dollars a year." "Which leaves vou." Interrupts Amelia, "$784 a year. Now, what on eartn uo you do witn tne remainder V" "Well," says Henry, "there are my clothes and and " "Cigars," adds Amelia. "Yes." "And buggy-rides." "Yes." "Anddrinks." "Ah tut hardly ever anythintr of that kind, you Know," says Henry. "Well, I hope not. But what do you do with the money otherwise? A man's clothes don't cost pim much." "Don't they!" exclaims Henry. "You just try it." "Well," says Amelia, "now mucu now ?" "Well," says theyonng man, thought fully, "there's an everyday suit for win ter, say iou. 'mere's a dress suit lor parties and the opera, say $75. There's two suits for summer and fall aud spring, $80. There are hats, caps, cloves, hosiery, etc.. S40: boots and shoes, $35; and well, how much is that V" "Two hundred and ninety dollars," says the ready" Amelia. "Say three hundred," responds Henry. "Very well; that leaves $494. What do you do with the rest ?" "Well, tnere's car-iare, say sjau." "Yes." "Theater tickets, $100." "Yes." "And well, let me see church dona tions, say $25." "Yes, we'll bay $25. Well." "Carriage hire, $60." "Well." "Cigars ! I am pretty moderate there say $100. How much does the total amount to now?" "Ten hundred and sixty-six dollars. You sea there are over $130 to be ac counted for." "Well, a feller don't spend all his money, you know; besides, there are Christmas presents and a lot of little traps that I cannot now remember." "Yes, I see. No doubt the articles mentioned Would swell the amount to SI, 200," says Amelia, rather sadly. "Don't you see, now," remarks Henry, "that I cannot afford a wife?" "You surely couldn't, unless expenses could be reduced," replies Amelia. "Jiut, instead or being reduced, they would be doubled," says he. "Oh! no," says the young lady. "Not that. I should think, for instance, that I was very extravagant if I spent half of your salary on myself." "Do you suppose you spend less than $600 yearly ?" says Henry. "Perhaps not now," responds Amelia, blushing; "but I could get along with much less if I tried." "Could yon, indeed?" queries he. "Yes," she responds. "Couldn't you ?" "Why, I suppose I might. Let me see. Where would I begin ?" "Say the clothes," suggests Amelia. "Yes; that's a fact. I could do with out the dress suit. That would be $75." "And one of the others?" she says, inquiringly. "Y-a-a-s say one of the others. $40." "And a little on the boots and shoes?" "I believe so. Say $20 ofl on those." "And the carriage hire ?" "Well, I suppose I could get along with the street-car. Take oil $60 for Carriage hire." "Well, how about the cigars?" "I wouldn't like to give them up en tirely; but I'll throw off $50 on cigars." "Very well. And the hats, caps, eta, and all the rest. Couldn't you save $100 on the balance? You know a good suit of clothes will last more than one sea son." "Well, I might possibly make it $100 less," says he. "That makes, with the $135 left over and above your stated expeuses as a bachelor, $500," says the ready Amelia. "You may add to that $75 which you could readily save on amusements, and you have the snug sum of $575 yearly to lay by. A few years of such economy would enable you to buy a nice little home of your own, where, with a frugal wife, you could both live very comfort able for what it costs you to live by yourself now." If Henry is anything like the man he' ought to be, he will say at this juncture that the very wife to live in such a house is the young lady who has herself suggested it, and will forthwith proceed to act upon her advice. Inter-Ocean. Mr. Cleveland, on leaving the House after his speech on Woman Suffrage, met a member who said "he wouldn't vote to make a man of his wife." Mr. Cleveland responded, "I hope your wife will succeed in making a man of you." Hartford Courant. Two rats were seen to go to a pond and drink In a town in Kentucky, each havine one end of a straw in its mouth. It was subsequently found that one of them was totally blind, aud was led to the water in this way by the other. The Puget Sound country has not en joyed a more prosperous season than the present for many years. women Are Not Protected. Recently the community was startled by the claim'of a young lady to a certain man as being the father of her child, when some comrade of his, to screen bis friend, sworo that he had participated in the affair. The same community is again shocked with the tidings that an other young lady of sixteen years has taiien a victim to mis nopeiul number two, who also refuses to marry her, making a similar charge agaiust her. Now, while society and the law screen these apologies for men, society and the law set their seal of denunciation npon the victims of- such villains. Ana so long as men, shielded by the law. can thus play into each other's hands, bid ding defiance to woman, so loner it is cowardice In her if she does not join nanas witn omers ana rise up against such injustice, arming with a six-shooter, even, if driven to that emergency. Give us the noonday "tramp" and the mianigoi assassin ratner tnan such le galized villainy. These have not the power to spread a disgrace in our path way, which is unspeakably'worse than the serpent's sting, pestilence, famine. or sword. While woman Is compelled to pay, either directly or indlrectiy for the pro tection she is presumed to receive, she has never been consulted about the pro tection that ber necessities reaulre. In deed, she has always been treated legally as though the only protection she needed was on man's account ; just enough of mis 10 Keep ner in working order lor His varied purposes as "an help-meet for him." Objections are made to woman's de mand for protection as tending to "free love." But this demand is farthest from it possible. While- matters remain as now, an unprincipled man who has brought ruin into one household may as an unmarried man proceed from house to house. But recently the last son died of a man who had threo vic tims, at one time, on the hands of the community, all of whom he had engaged to marry. Bat if the law had held him as it should, married to the first, it would have saved him from disgracing himself; or else would have oonsigned him to the punishment of a bigamist. This would not be a very desirable li ability to dog his footsteps; yet it should be attached to every legally married man who should proceed, as do often tho evil disposed, who can never be re strained except through some stringent measure which the well-being of society demands. No law was ever too sacred to be Im proved by man's or woman's hands: else statute law would never have been inaugurated because a natural law pre ceded it in all things, which can not be blotted out; so it is possible for man, if he have. his wits about him, to improve upon "old usages" of kings who car peted their floors with bulrushes, while their subjects plowed their lands with old chairs, with one leg in the ground, the sire guiding it by the pommel and the son dragging It by the rung, as has been seen in "our owa country even. Such' a law as woman proposes would save many a man, woman, and child from ruin, disgrace, and infamy, in stead of screening the guilty from pun ishment or inflicting misery upon the unoffending, as the law actually does to-day. Exchange. ' A Lesson from the Mother Country. Becent events in England are signifi cant in proving that though that nation is ruled by a woman, she has a will of her own, and dares to do right, in spite of influence and opposition from hltrh quarters, even including that of the neir-apparent to the crown. Colonel Baker, an officer who has been covered with glory on many a gory field, whose breast was covered with as many medals as bis body had wounds, so for got himself a3 to insult a lady in a rail road carriage. For this offense he was condemned to imprisonment for one year (without hard labor) and fined $500. Then the question arose whether this officer, who had seryed over a quarter of a century id the army, had been pro moted for bravery, and had distin guished himself for his valor, should be permitted to retain his place. A gi gantic influence was brought to bear to make this possible. The Duke of Cam bridge, commander-in-chief, opposed his removal. The Prince of Wales, one of the four field marshals of the army, we believe, added the influence of his high military rank to that of the suc cessor to the crown, and perchance the influence of a son over his mother, to the same end. Generals hoary with honorable service, who could scarcely have asked any other boon from their sovereign and been denied, petitioned; but the Queen was firm. No man who was not a gentleman could hold a com mission in her service. In her opinion, no man who would Insult a defenseless woman, no matter what his rank or station, was entitled to be considered a gentleman; hence his services were dis pensed with. Her Majesty had no fur ther use for them. Petitions and plead ings, the influence of her son and her cousin, her generals and her attendants, all were in vain, and womanhood throughout the world must rejoice that a woman rose superior to all, In defense of the honor of one of her own sex. No doubt, as she thought of the blood be bad shed for her country, she mourned, and thought with Othello, "I love thee, Cassio, but thou canst never more be of ficer of mine." Too pure to bo served by a libertine, however brave or brill iant, she dismissed him in disgrace. Alleghany (Pa.) Mail. Curious Threads. The smallest iized sewing silk manufactured meas ured about 2,200 yards, or over one and one-fourth miles to the ounce. Even in the construction of this variety, some times from 200 to 400 fibers of the mate rial, as originally spun by the silk worm, are required. The little vermi form artists which produce this beauti ful material do not spin threads of uni form size. The smallest fiber of silk, as wrought by the worm into exquisite structure of its cocoon, is so infinitely minute that every ounce of the manu factured thread is supposed to contain nearly 4,000 miles of this floss-like strand, and the puny animal sometimes elaborates a fiber of such marvelous tenuity that less than four pounds of the thread, avoirdupois, would reach round the world. Colby University, which admits wom en on equal terms with men, has gradu ated 5 presidents of colleges, 31 college professors, 9 members of Congress, 28 doctors of divinity, and 16 doctors of law.