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About The new Northwest. (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1872)
MRS. A. J. IilXlWAT, Editor and Proprietor OfFICE-Cor.TJalrd nnd Washington SU TERMS, IK ADVANCE: Onftypnr , Sli months Three monttis -WOO 1 Tj - 1 00 ADVERTISEMENTS Insertedon Reasonable Terms. S0H0EAHEWITT. jjv mils, scsie wrrirarEu. Entered, according to the Act of Congress, In the year 1872, by Mrs.SusIeWIthercll,ln the Of- flee of the librarian of Congress at Washington City.l CHAPTER IX. CX.AKIOCR A'1 JIUXSCIIE ALONF. The night following the events re corded In the previous chapter, Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt sat together In the pleasant little sitting room. The Colonel, with his feet encased iu a pair of slippers of his pet's make, sat in his large morocco covered chair, enjoying a lengthy detail of the coming election. Harry, -with his chair tipped back, seemed to be ngagt wit.h his own thoughts, as lie picked to pieces the re mains of a qullljoothplck. Mrs. Hewitt was busily engaged look ing over a box of kids which she had purchased before leaving the city. "It seems to me, Alice," said the Col onel, laying down his paper, "that Mr. rierpontleft us rather abruptly. "Why did he not wait until to-morrow, after the picnic?" "I am sure I cannot say why he did not remain, but I presume he left be cause I did not choose to consider him the affianced lover of Sonora," answered Mrs. Hewitt, jerking on a pair of flesh colored gloves, and not even raising her eyes. "The affiianced lover! Did he then propose for her hand?" asked the Colo hel, very much surprised. "He did, and I told him that Sonora was too young to think of such things for two years to come yet; and besides, I did not wish her to be engaged to any one for so long a time. I wished her to remain perfectly free to choose for herself-" "You mean for you to choose for her," Interrupted the Colonel. "Why did he not speak to ine upen the subject? I think it would have been as well to have conferred witli both." "Well, that was another of his oddi ties, I suppose. Then, because I did not see fit to say yes, he flew into a passion, packed up and left, without even saying good-bye, though he left a little note to that effect, and thanking us for our kindness to him during his sickness." "Well, this is very' strange conduct I never thought he would act in that manner," said the Colonel, taking up his paper. "But what does Sonorasay?" "Oh, she is suffering a severe head ache from last night's entertainment, and does not think much about it She seemed rather surprised when I told her he had gone, but told me, If I did not wish to give her pain, never to refer to the name of Clarence Pierpont, and I am sure I have no desire to do so. She is so strange I can never tell anything about her. I thought she did think J something of him, but it would puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer to find out, I guess," and rising, she appeared to be deeply engaged all at once in looking over some sheet music, which lay upon a table on the opposite side of the room. "Well, well, I hope my little pet docs not care anything for him, though I was inclined to think she did," observed the Colonel, thoughtfully. "Did she ever say anything to you, Harry?" "Xcver, father. You know it is rather a delicate subject Clarence told me all about it," and he gave his mother a look which brought the blood to her cheeks. "He said he thought it best to leave without bidding Sonora or any of the family good-bye, though he com missioned me to do so for him. I prom ised him I would follow the day after tiiepiculc Poor Clarence! He is a no ble fellow ! I wish I was half as good," murmured Harry, as he relapsed into nts iormer silence. "Queer," uttered the Colonel, as he went on reading. Then, stopping again. he turned to his wife: "Alice, do not in fluence Sonora. Let her choose for her self." "I certainly shall not; but you will allow tlint it is right for a mother to ad vise her daughter for the best?" "O, certainly, but Sonora is so gentle and submissive that you have only to express your desires, and she is ready to yield implicit obedience, even should it be at the risk of her own happiness,' said the Colonel, as his wife left the room. Harry still remained perfectly quiet, though his thoughts were busily at work within him. At first he thought he would acquaint his father with all as Clarence had told him, and perhaps he would be the means of making his sis ter happy; then, again, not wishing to create a scene, and make his mother ap pear lew than before in the eyes of his friend, he concluded to let itremain a secret between him and Clarence, and trust to time and circumstances to make all things turn out right, and perhaps be better in the end, for, should Clarence fail to be all that he seemed, he could exonerate himself from all blame, and at least not be the means of casiDg that sister, who was so dear to him, a life of unhappmess perhaps. Ah, Harry, better had you et y0ur first thoughts exerted their sway How many hours of anguish would you have saved a sister's heart! Leaving the Colonel to euiov i.t. per, and Harry to meditate over i.t. friend's heart affairs, -we will transport uui icaucra iu .umncue'S lionie that same evening. Clarence, upon leaving Colonel Hew- VOIiTIME II. ill's, ordered the driver to stop at Cap tain Marsh's, whereupon grandma would not hear to his going-, but Insist ed upon his remaining till the nextday, when they would escort him to the cars in their own carriage at an early hour. At first he declined doing so, offering sev eral excuses- but at last, overcome by their kindness, he accepted their invi tation, and was soon a guest at the homestead. Old Mrs. Marsh was delighted at the idea of entertaining the child of her ear liest friend, and Captain Marsh shared her joy in doing his utmost for his young friend's pleasure and comfort But how was it with Blanche? Ah her heart leaped with joy at the simple thought "Sorely fortune favors me," thought she. "I have the game in my own hands now!" Never had she appeared to better ad vantage in the eyes of Clarence than she did on this day. The family remained together during tiie afternoon 'with the exception of Gracic, who had been confined to her bed with a violent headache. The old people, retiring early, left Blanche to entertain Clarence, which opportunity she was glad to embrace. During the evening he gave her to understand how matters stood between him and Sonora, and taking the letter out of his pocket, which in his haste lie had forgotten to leave with Harry, gave it to Blanche to hand to her. Blanche appeared to deep ly sympathize with him, but added In a joking way "that Sonora would soon get over her distress in the presence or the fascinating Xornian Mcintosh, whom she told her she greatly ad mired," and then remarked: "I do not sec how she can like that vain, self-conceited man. But Sonora Hewittisastrangegirl. Icaniiot fathom her. "And do you really suppose Sonora thinks anything of Mr. Mcintosh?" asked Clarence, suspicion begmning to be aroused within his breast. "Suppose s," said Blanche. "Why, did you not see for yourself last evening how very attentive he was, and how de lighted she appeared while listening to him? I overheard several remarks with reference to them. Mrs. Hewitt told me," continued the designing girl, "that the Colonel was delighted with the course things had taken." "Say no more, Miss Levcre, if you would spare me pain. Can it be possi ble that she, who appeared so innocent, pure and lovely, could prove so treach erous? Is she, too, allured by cursed gold?" exclaimed Clarence, passion ately. "Forgive me, Mr. Pierpont, If I have said aught to cause you pain. It was unintentional, I assure you. I thought you was fully aware of It before." "Had I been," interrupted Clarence, "I should not have gone thus far and laid myself liable to ridicule from those who could act thus base," and rising, he politely requested a light, as he wished to retire. Then, taking the hand of Blanche, he said: "Miss Levere, or Blanche I will call you, as it sounds more familiar, and our parents, you know, were friends, therefore let us be; Blanche, I shall ever thank you for the kindness you have done me this night by telling me of that which I ought to know. Be kind enough to return that letter to me, as I do not wish to flatter a heartless coquette." "Be careful, Clarence, that you do not that which you may rue. Sonora Is a lovely girl, notwithstanding sho Is a professed destroyer of hearts," smiling one of her sweetest and most bewitching smiles. "Say no more, Blanche. Never men tlou her name to me. I would rather suffer wrong than to be guilty of doing a wrong or know that one heart bore a scar which I had inflicted," and taking her hand, kissed it, a? he uttered a gen tie good night, closing the door after him as he went out. "Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Blanche, as she heard his retreating footsteps upon the stair-case. " 'Rather suffer wrong than do wrong,' hey? Well, I wouldn't not when there is such a prize. I'm sure it is worth winning." and throw ing herself Into the rocking chair, con tinued, "How fortunate that he should stop here this anernoon. 'Blanche, let us be friends.' That is one stepping stone towards my plans. What will Sonora say when she finds herself jilted for her most confidential friend, Blanche Levere? Yes, I feel sorry it Is true, and perhaps I am doing her a great wrong but then, on the other hand, it will be doing her mother a kindness, for she is opposed to her daughter marryiuga poor man; and she will no doubt thank me for ridding her of him. Vain, weak, proud woman! She knows not yet, all the years that she has lived, that money is but dross compared to the pure Jove of a devoted heart She never loved, it is plain to be seen. Tlio Colonel won her by Ids title and gold. Gold! yes, gold! Well, I have enough for both, and have him I will, or die in the at tempt! Blanche Levere loves but once, and once only! I have him iu the right path. 'Tis easy enough to arrange mat ters with Sonora, and sho is so pure minded that she will never suspect me of having a hand in it Let me see," mused she; "next Thursday Is the pic nic Norman will be there. I can ar range all then. I must not let Grade PORTLiVND, know anything of this at present. I can patisfy grandpa and grandma by telling them Clarence and Sonora have had a falling out, and Grade too; and tell them never to mention either name to one or the other, as it calls up un pleasant memories. They will never suspect their darling Blanche, never! Yes, I have it all arranged for Thurs day," and jumping up, she exclaimed, with a sarcastic laugh, "I guess I take after my grandmother!" Hinging for a light she retired to her own room to sleep, and perhaps dream of new plans for the ruination of her friend's happiness. (To be continued.) "X-bfi;ot" WOMAN. t )!' . BY SARA A. CSDEItWOOD. "Married, are you? Well, I suppose I outrht to congratulate, but feel more like condoliug with you. However, every one to ins own taste, .nay you never live to repent of your bargain!" and handsome Burt Llyd gave Allen Newcome's hand a hearty shake, while a half sarcastic smile hovered around his lips. "And may you live to repent you of your confirmed celibacy. Ith your incomo and prospects it's a shame, old boy, that you were not married years ago," was Allen's laughing rejoinder. "I'm waiting," said Burt "For what?" "A perfect woman. Find ine one, and I promise you I'll marry her at once." "A perfect fiddle-stick! Suppose the thing possible, however, how do you know that she'd accept your lordship?" Burt glanced at the mirror opposite with a smile of great complacency. "With my inconic'-and expectations, as you just now suggested, I'll run the risk of that. I'll leave entire disinter estedness out of the list of her perfec tions." "You are incorrigible, Burt. But I must go." Allen Newcome took his leave with the mental comment that his friend's self conceit needed a decided rebuff, an opinion which would have received confirmation had ho seen the supercil ious smile that curled Burt's lips a few moments later, as he read a dainty note Just brought in to him. He threw it aside scornfully, as he muttered, "An Invitation and a snare. No, I'll not ac cept. Miss Belie Oh, these women, how they bore me with their attentions! Will I ever, I wonder, meet with my ideal my perfect, womanly woman:" More than a year later Burt Lloyd, still a confirmed bachelor, received rather gladly, It being sultry August weather, an Invitition from his friend Allen to visit him at his summer resi dence, a qnict country place by the sea side. He fancied, too, there would be no other company. But in this he was mistaken. Quite a gay little party was already there, among whom he created quite a sensation by his polished though slightly sarcastic manner, his aristo cratic bearing and reputed wealth. His friend Allen, however, did not allow him to be bored with their company a great deal. Hunting and fishing kept them out of doors much or tne timo lor two weeks, at the end of whicli time lie was rather agreeably surprised to find that the crowd of butterfly visitors had flitted to other fields of pleasure, leav ing as guests only himself and a Miss Hartc, a cousin of Mrs. Newcome's, whom he had heretofore only observed enough to remark how rarely beautiful and child-like she was. And, like most men's, Burt Lloyd's perfect woman Mas to be in a great measure a mature child a child's purity and innocence, com bined with a woman's discretion and efllclency. i. few days of drizzling rain put an end to his out-of-door pursuits, and that was how he came to notice Miss Harto more particularly, aud to find her a pleasing, piquant study. The odd ex periencc of being baffled in that study made it doubly interesting to him. Her face was the face of a trustful, innocent child one of rare blonde beau ty, showing in its swift changes of color every varying emotion; soft, brown, velvety eyes, whoso long, dark lashes were such a contrast to the heavy coils of golden, satin-smooth hair which adorned her small, shapely head. Her mouth troubled him most to read. It was most too large for beauty, and the lips, though full and red, bespoke firm ncss and decision; but her voice was sweet, low and harmonious, and her laugh was the happy laugh of a care free girl. She sung, too, not with power, b"ut with rare pathos and feeling, as she played. Dressed alwavs becom ingly, nay charmingly, yet never ap peared to give a thought to any of the details of dress; never betraying until she was asked thatshe held any opinion upon any subject under discussion, and then surprising all by the amount or in formation she could give; never seem Ing bttsy or hurried, yet accomplishing a great deal in n very little while. To these peculiarities add the fact strange inconsistency of man! that suo treated Burt Lloyd with an unstudied but clear ly apparent indifference, and you will not be surprised to learn that ere month's timo he had begun to question whether his ideal dream of a perfect womanhood was not possible of realiza OREGON, FKIDAY, JTnVE J31, tion, and whether Amy Harte was not the embodiment of that possibility. As for her, the surprise she may have felt in the evident, persistent and per haps slightly patronizing admiration of herself by Burt Lloyd was never shown by word or look. Sho neither sought nor avoided him. If he found her at leisure in the parlor and asked for some music, she sat down to the piano with the ready obedience of an obliging child, and at the close of each song looked up at him with frank eyes, as if expecting the appreciative smile he was always ready to bestow. If, on the other hand, he had haunted in vain all day the house and garden in search of her, and on her appearance in the evening told her so, sho madi no apologies and looked no surprise at his -infatuation Nor if, after one of those long silences so frequent with her, ho sometimes raised his eyes from book or paper to meet hers, so unfathomable in their dark depths, fixed upon his face as in study of him, did sho change color or exhibit any trace of discomposure. Her calmness piqued, tormented, em barrassed him, aud yet he found himself day by day more and more in love with her. Still I doubt if lie would have dared his fate so soon as lie did but for an accident which occurred just a; he was about to bring his visit to a close. He accompanied her one morning on a horseback ride. They were returuintr ind near home when his horse took sudden fright at something, reared, plunged and threw him. When next he awoke to consciousness Amy Harte was kneeling by his side, bathing his face aud hands in cool water, her face very pale, but tlio mouth firm and quiet. "Are you much hurt, do you think?" lie asked. He tried for answer to rise, but found himself helpless, his arm broken aud his foot sprained. He groaned with pain. "Don't stir," slicsaid quickly, "I will nianago for you." Fortunately, she had thrown a shawl over her side saddle that morn ing. Her horse stood quietly by, his was a mile or two away. She folded the shawl into a pillow for his head, and then ran down the road a few steps to where she remembered a turn iu tiie road hid some laborers from view. These she called, and then returned to his side and washed oil with her hand kerchief in a roadside brook the blood nnd dust from his face. In a few mo ments the men were there. She showed them how to make a litter, and then in structed them howtolifthim on It with least pain to him, after which she mounted her horse and rode away for a surgeon, fullering as lie did, Burt yet found time to note the celerity, the deft ness, the clear-headed way lu which all this was done, nnd she seemed In his eyes more perfect llian ever. During the week of illness that followed he saw very' little of her, but dainty messes of her manufacture, and vases of flowers whose coloring, arrangement and per fume refreshed his fastidious taste, kept her in daily remembrance. He was down in the parlor again in a few weeks, but he had set the timo for his return to the city ere lie found time and place to declare his passion and plead his suit. It was one afternoon when they had the house to themselves that lie did so. Mr. and Mrs. New come had gone to make some calls, and there was no fear of interruption. He was half surprised at the ardor and Im petus with which he made the declara tion. Once she held up her hands warn ingly and begged him to stop, but he paid no heed until the confession of his hopes fears he had none was made. Then, as ho looked into her face, he grew suddenly fearful. For the first time in his life his self conceit failed him. Could it be possible! He had dreamed that his "perfect" woman was to lift up to him, after such a confession as tills, a face full of blushing, bllbsful happiness, was to nestle close into his open anus nnu murmur a rapturous "yes." But this woman was looking at him with quiet, studying eyes, and her smile puzzled him as sho said: "Believe me, Mr. Lloyd, this is alto gether unexpected. I am sorry if any tiling I have done lias led you Into this indiscretion. Perhaps I might have been a little more reserved in my man ner toward you but for Allen's repeated declarations of your confirmed celibacy his declaration that until you found that impossibility, a 'perfect' woman you would never marry." "But Amy let me call you so I have found my perfect woman. Even the little I have seen of you convinces me that you are all, nay more than dreamed of in my ideal" "And admitting that," she inter rupted, with a smile so mischicvious that lie began to think she was relent ing, "what then have you to offer mc iu return for the perfections with whicli your fancy lias invested me? How about my ideal, which you must admit I have as good a right to hope for as yourself? I have seen very little of you since I have been here. From Allen I learn that you are of good family, occu py a respectable position in society, that you are wealthy, and never disgraced by any public act yourself or your friends. Observation has shown me that you are ordinarily gentlemanly in your deportment, and I can see for my self that yon are a finely formed, hand some man. But these are negative vir tues. What positive qualities or vir tues have you to offer me? The man who has for years refused himself the pleasures of a happy home because, among all the good and true women by whom he was surrounded, ho failed to find an ideal woman, combining in one person all the virtues, with beauty and wealth superidueti, ougnt surely him self to be able to offer her this pure, high-souled woman oi ins dreams! in himself all the high, manly virtues, a noble, unfaltering courage, a life toned and tempered by the hard lessons of a conquered adversity, a chivalrous re spect for all womanhood, ajife. kept pure through manifold temptations, .a daring adherence to the good and true whatever might ensue. Have you these to- offer me, Mr. Lloyd mc, the 'perfect' woman of your dreams?" She had risen in her earnestness, and stood before htm now like a vision of beauty, the dark eyes flashing 'neath their long, dusky lashes, the wealth of golden hair arranged that day in girl ish fashion falling around her like a halo, the fair, rounded cheeks flushing and paling by turns. Never before had she looked so lovely as at this moment, when the tremulous, passionate tones seemed uttering words of doom, as she showed him the gulf which separated them. For once iu his life he lost his self possession, and half stammered: 'I beg your pardon. I sec my mis take, and thank you for your words, harsh as they seem. But I have al ways heard, have always thought, that a woman docs not think of these things that she marries fur a home aud protec tion. Because there was nothing against my character aud standing, I fancied there was a great deal in my my favor. But I believe I do love you heartily and truly! Is it best to throw away a love like mine?" and he turned pleadingly toward her. The color faded out of tier checks, a weary, dispirited look stolo itito hcreyes, and she sank into tlio luxurious depths of an nrni-chair. With this change of mood, she grew to look suddenly older and jaded. "Let ine undeceive you, Mr. Lloyd. I am by no means the 'perfect' woman you fancy me. Good as you iiiniK me, I hate myself for the uselessness of my life and for the evil I have been com pelled to do. If my past experience can help you, and through you the woman you will some day make your wife, I shall be more than grateful. ' When I say I am not a 'jierfeet' woman I don't mean to say that I am worse than most other men and women only that there are no perfect women any more than there are perfect men. We can, how ever, make ourselves better or worse than we are by nature. You and T, Mr. Lloyd," witli a light laugh, "have perhaps made ourselves worse. Those perfections' in me which have won your regard are the result of deliberate study on my part, taught mo through my knowledge of human nature. How old do you think me, Mr. Lloyd?" He looked at her in a puzzled way, with his sensations in a strange whirl, as he answered: 'I have thought you about eighteen or twenty. I don't know this moment what to think you seem so different" "That was not n very sensible conclu sion on your part, Mr. Lloyd. "What kind of life must any girl of eighteen or twenty have led, do you think, to be able to guard her words, her thoughts, her feelings, as I guard mine? No, thank Heaven! at eighteen I was a dif ferent woman! All, how often have I wished that the good Lord had taken me to Himself in those days! I did so be lieve in everybody in those days, myself included! But that dream was put a sudden end to. Shalt I tell you, to cure you completely of any lingering illusions you may have held regarding me, in what dreadful school I learned to cem 'perfect' woman? It was under the til MS age of blows, insults and brutal outrage from the man who swore at the altar to 'protect, cherish and bless,' for, Mr. Lloyd, lam that dreadful thing, a divorced wife!" There was now a mournful depth of woe in ttic starry eyes, around the sweet mouth sudden lines of care seemed drawn, and for a moment grey shad ows appeared to enwrap the graceful form, but they passed in a moment as she went on: "Don't think me quite a hypocrite. I forget all I can of that dreadful time. The shadows of the life that I led must ever remain with me, but I hide myself from every remembrance of it that 1 can. .Even my niisnanii's name is giau ly ignored by mo and my friends. My cousin gives me the shelter of her home and her own maiden name, which was my mother's." "I sincerely beg your pardon," said Lloyd, o'er whose brow a cold dew had started as he thought of his narrow es cape from marrying a divorced woman ; "and since it must distress you, don't tell me anything more." "But I will, because I think it may perhaps cure you of some false ideas," suo continued. "I married this man with the truest, purest love for him thought him so perfect, so manly, so true! He married me for my beauty aud innocence, and I, poor fool, because I had no other dower to offer in ex change for his wealth and position thought him The "best and truest man In the world 'thy king,' I used to call hint. I ie soon wearied of me, his latest toy, and mean as. lie was by nature lie soon showed himself In his true colors. At first, when I knew onfy one or two low traits in the character I had deemed without flaw, I tried hopefully to re form him, and showed him plainly my horror of his words and actions. That incensed him, and I had to suffer in consequence. I was eighteen, Mr. Lloyd, when I married him, and I lived as his wife ten years ten horrible years! Before I freed myself I no longer dared to show my detestation of him I grew cowardly. I lied to him I was obliged to, to save myself. I grew to watch Ins every movement, and dered to his wishes- with not one dis senting word, the while I hated him and loathed myself for my nearness to him. I smiled in his face while my heart was breaking. I watched and waited aud schemed to get such evi dences of his abuse and wrong doing as should free me before the law. He grew to trust mc and to think me entirely callous to anything he might do, and so betrayed himself into my hands." She drew a long breath and clasped the dainty hands tightly. "Two years ago the law gave mc my freedom. I ought to have been free eight years before that I would not marrv anv man. Mr. Lloyd, for I distrust all men. I only look forward to a life so useful that it may wash the stains of those dreadful years away from me. Strangest of all my sad experiences, however, is the fact that now I am irrevocably lost to him. This man, who hardly gave mc a decent word for years ; who struck mc hundreds of times always, the coward! when there was none to see; who forced mc to witness his mad orgies witli his bmtal companions, and made me live in the house witli his paramours this man is now madly in love with me again. He haunts me witli his profes sions of love and mad desire to win me back, and appeals to me by all those feelings whicli lie murdered years ago, and which he dares to think mc capa ble of holding toward him even now. This is why I am here in hiding, and this, Mr. Lloyd, is the life that lias made me seem to you a 'perfect' wom an. otild you like your wife to have such memories -as mine to haunt you and her! I think not! Make vourself worthy, Mr. Lloyd, of the love of some pure girl there are plenty of them around you before ever you offer your- i self to her. Don't ask of her more than you are willing or capable of giving in return. Prove to her, however, as far as possible, ail that she has dreamed you to be, and thus save her from the bitter experience of my life. Promise mo this, and you will help mc to be happier." She rose as if to close the Interview, offering him her hand, witli a wistful look in her eyes. He gave his with a new feeling of respoct for her and for all womanhood. 'I do promise," he said earnestly; 'and in spite of, or rather in virtue of, what you have confided to me, I still believe you to be a perfect woman. I recognize how impossible it is for you to be anything more to me than what you now are, but if you will permit me shall eupr be your faithful friend. You have told me some uncomfortable but wholesome truths, which, I trust, wilt ultimately benefit me. I thank you sincerely. Good evening." "One word more," she said hurriedly. "Please do not refer again to my past history. I cannot bear it!" with a plaintive uplifting of licr hands. "My only study now is to do what good I can, to shrink from nothing, and so to forget! It is as much as I can or dare to attempt Good night," and she passed from the room. Burt Lloyd went home the next day. Two years later, on his wedding tour, Burt Lloyd surprised his young bride by stopping at at a little out-of-the-way country town and calling, in her com pany, on the principal of a young ladies' school a lovely but somewhat faded woman, with beautiful eyes aud hair, whom he introduced as Mrs. Harte, and of whom he remarked, as they drove away after a long call: "What there may be best of ine in my treatment of you during the com ing years of our lives, my darling, you may ascribe to that woman's influence upon me. But for tier Ishould have re mained a conceited jackanapes." And thereupon lie told the whole story. Life asi its Dangers. Life is like a fountain fed by a thousand streams that perishes if one be broken. Thought less mortals are surrounded by innumer able dangers which make it more strange that they escape so long, than tliat Uiey almost all perisn suddenly at last. We are encompassed with accidents even' day sufficient to crush the decay ing tenement we innauic. ine seeus or disease are planted in our constitution hv nature. The earth ami tlio nlmnc phere whence we draw the breath of life are impregnated willi death; health is maue to operate to its own destruction tlio rood that nourishes contains the elements oi uecay: the soul that ani. mates it by vivify ing, first tends to wear it out uy its own action; death lurks in amuusu aiong tne patus. SST1. t - it.. .n . a tue umerence between a honey-comb and a honevmnnn? Duo u made up of a lot of little cells; the other is One enormous sell only! A Journal for the People. Dovoted to the Interests of Humanity. Independent in Politics and Religion. Mive to all Live Issue, and Thoroughly Radical In Opposlns and Exposing theAVrongs ot the Masses. Correspondents wrltinir overn'ssnmpil skran. tures must make known their names to the Editor, or no attention will be given to their communications. Woman' Resolution. I'll tell you of a Tellow, ,,'' a fellow I have seen, ,J? neither white nor yellow, Uut Is altogether green ; And his name It Is not charmfrir,- It U only common BUI. And he wishes me to wed him, ' But I hardly think I wilt. Oh, he whispers ofdovotlon, t Pr.l'!vo,lon Pure and deep, ASST '! V"lnd so very silly 1 list I almost fell asleep; And he thinks It would be pleasant. As we Journey down tho hill, To go hand In hand together. But I hardly think I will. He told me of a cottage, 1 Ufa cottage 'rnong the trees. And don't you think the fellow ,.V,!Inblctl ,,own "pon his knees;' w hue the tears the ereaturo wasted , ere enough to turn a mill. And he begged me to accept him,. But I hardly think I will. He was here last night to see me. fe.IgBnto-tlilnkthebloe'khcod . evermeantiogoaway. At first I learned to hate hlnr, - And now I hate him still. Yet he urges me to wed him, But I hardly think I will. I'm sure I would not choose Iilm,- Eut tho very deuce is In it, lor lie says if I refuse him He could not II ve a minute. S you know the blessed Bible Plainly says we mut not kill. So I've thought the matter over. And I rather think I will! A Good Movement for Women.. Any one who ojens to woman any new avenue to raying employment, or offers her additional facilities for ac quiring and inducements for accumu lating property, and thereby assists her to gain a competence and enjoy a condi tion of comparative pecuniary inde pendence, does good service to tho cause of woman and confers a great fa vor upon society. Mrs. M. I. Sawtellc, of Oregon, is ear nestly engaged iu a work that should commend itself, to the hearty approval of the public. Through her persevering exertions a bill is now before the Senate with a fair prospect of becoming a law a printed copy of whicli is before us W.hifih enables the women of Oregon and. the Territories, married or single, to acquire one hundred and sixty acres of the public domain in less time, with less trouble, and for less money, than men anil Heads or ramilies can under tiie homestead law. The land property rights acquired un der this Act cannot bo confiscated to pay tlio debts of husbands. There is an abundance of rich and arable public land in Oregon to afford valuable homesteads to thousands of destitute, homeless aud friendless wom en. Commerce and great industrial pur suits have had a monopoly for subsidiz ing the Government long enough. It Is time that the government of the people should look after the interests of those who are destitute and without employ ment. It is not enough to offer these lands to penniless women who are thous ands of miles away. The Government should appropriate funds from the Treasury for the purpose, and offer in duccments for enterprising and cour ageous women to possess themselves of its unoccupied soil. Capitalists already, by numerous cun ning legislative devices of their own in stigation, have gained possession of ', nearly all the unoccupied public lands widen at present possess any considera ble money value. They have their greedy eyes on the balance, nnd witli their spare hoardings mean to monopo lize the remainder. These and their newspajwr organs will, of course, op pose and denounce this movement of .Mrs. Sawtelle. But this offers no rea son for discouragement, but rather an additional one for more earnest effort. Pioneer. The SaIeof "Women. Most readers will probably be sur prised to learn that there is stilt a regu lar fair in Europe, whicli is devoted ex clusively to the sale of women as wives. Such, however, is the fact. It is held in the eastern extremity of Hungary, in a little province lost among the moun tains, and inhabited by families to the manor bom. Confined by nature in their deep valleys, and without any as sociations beyond, the population has remained about half savage. They have retained the religion, the habits and traditions of their ancestors. On St. Peter's day of every year, one may see in the plains of Kalinosa, com ing from all sides, long trains of wagons. I conducted by peasants dressed in their best bnnday domes, bringing all sorts of furniture and household utensils. Droves of cattle and sheep follow tho wagons, ornamented by new ribbons and bells. The young girls accompany ing them are decked out in festival clothes, with brilliant colors and new Jichw. The wagons are finally arranged in line along witn tuetr several uroves. Here congregate alt the j-oung men of the country who are iu search of wives, and the singular review begins the young men filing along in front of the wagons. The conversation Is carried on with the father of the family. " "How much will you give?" ho asks. "How many cattle are there V" asks the young man. " Then the girl's dowry is examined ninnc with tho cattle, and sheep, and other fixtures. Meanwhile the young girl stands aside, moved, out motionless, awaiting the result of the Inspection upon wnicit tier miure uepenus. aome times the trade is broken, even when the girl suits, on account of a lean cow or a cracked table. The crowd, paired off. circulates in tho field. The priest promenades the ground, gravely waiting for his services to be called into use. Then he sings a hymn, gives a benediction, and the thing is finished. The bride kisses her relatives all around, StCP3 into the watron and leaves, along with her furniture and outfit, for some unkuown village, and ... ill. I I 1 D J mi :i nusuanu wnom sue lias neverseen before in the whole course of her life. Spiritual Pixioxs. When the ven erable Peter Cartwright was leading a class meeting, he got out of humor with a sister more noisy than pious, and who would go oft on a high key at every op portunity. "O Lord!" exclaimed the vociferous sister, "If I had one more feather in the wing of my faith I could fly away and be with my Saviour. "Stick in the feather, O, Lord! and Jet her go' fervently responded brother Cartwright. If the word kicks you, cry W, In fond delusion that it wi I ' ""'W turn around and rock you to sleep.