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About The new Northwest. (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 5, 1873)
MIS. A. J. BUMWir, Editor and rriprlel'or V Journal for.tUaPcoplc. , Devoted to tho Interests of Humanity. Independent In Politics and Religion. Mlvo to all" Live Issues, and Thoroughly Radical In Opposing and ESpoMng the Wrongs ri'IC!ICor. l'ront ami Stark SIrepK ' TKItMS, IN ADVANCE: ot tho Masses. , Oneyjmr Six months Three inomlis... -?3 CO 1 75 - 1 60 Fuee Speech, Feee IY.ess, Free 1'ron.E. Correspondents writing over assumed signa tures must mako known their namesxto the n.iYB,m8KrEXral'Mrtedon Reasonable VOLIDIE III. POTtXXVlSTD, OREGON, ITRrDA.Y, SEPTEMBER C, 1873. Edltor,or no attention will be given to their communications. ' 1 WW WAP i lira it. a utm wt m . 7 ihm irra f .Written for the New Northwest. The Ilrntli or lie Violet. BV JOHN A. WOJIACK. At the -vesper houroflwlllght, There leii a drop of dew, That kiMHl a bud In the moonlight With eye or starry hue. Tlut wtiwta of mornln; sifted The dew at the sweet buii's feel; The -.an then wanderta? lifted The hud so pure ami sweet. Pare and bright and sweet It grew lb illi the amber sky; Xrphyrs Mscedlls llpsnrblue, IMt heard the dew-drop rtgii: ''fhfcntVi not a bad but lades away Iteaeoth the Autumn sky; There's not a frost at break of day Rat down it falls to die." Trow VAI.I.KY, Wasoo county, Oregon. ELLEN DOWD, THE PAEMEE'S WIFE. PAHT 8BCOND. I Entered according to the Aet of Comrress In the yaar HRbyMra. A. J. Duulway, In the of- "w utttartan of Ooogrees at Washington CHAPTER X. Dr. Goft was growing old. The weight or years had long sat lightly upon his 1 - . i J . m . .... ujw, uut ins gray jiair, tailing eyes and stoop! ng wnl k now'bore evidonco that lie was rapidly ripening for tho hettcr world. Heavy incumbrances of this world's goods had never molested him. The benevolent habits acquired in his youth, and folloved.'continually to the fullest extent of his limited income, had served to keep his finances remarkably low. Ami now, as he was nearing su perannuation, lie began to cast about for the best possible means of subist euce, when he should be no longer able to endure the fatigues of his profession. Hut lliore seemed no opening ahead for the arranging of suoh a plan. Indeed he had no plan. Accustomed for many years to his humble and recluse bache lor apartments in the woody suburbs of Mackinaw, from which ho never emerged except upon missions of mercy, ho seemed to have lost the art of look ing ahead for himself. The rigors of approaching winter were to liim a mat ter of deep concern. He had grown rheumatic and strangely feeblo of late, ami the first frosts of Autumn found him unable to leave his room. For two days he had endured his sufferings alone. No one knew of his illness, and as ho lay upon his bed, watching through the window tho falling maple leaves in the day-time, or listening at nightfall to the ceaseless chatter of tho katy-dids, blissful dreams of days de parted were born anew in his soul. Beaching for a crevice in tho rude wall behind his bed, he took down an an tique leather pockot-book, and select ing from a numerous assortment of odd- looking manuscripts a letter, yellow with age and ferck&a ia the fouls )V time and decay, he opened it cautiously, after having furtively glanced through the apartment, as if to satisfy himself that he was alone. The letter was dated "D'Arcy Ilomcstead, July 10, IS," and was penned in a quaint, cramped, wjliool-girl hand. It read as follows: "Dear J. G..-1 should like to go with you ever so much, but my fatherdoesn't approve of so young a lady keeping gentlomen's company; so I cannot go. I live so much alone in this great house, and get so tired of it, that I havo half a mind to ruu away and marry Peter Dowd. He's good-looking and good-na tured, and wants me awfully. I. don't know that I love him, but I'm going to try to. I hardly over speak to him, for mamma is not willing that I should as sociate witli men beneath me in the so cial scale. I could bo happy with you always, but you'll think I'm a very bold, naughty girl for saying such a tiling, so please forget that I said it. I shall dream of you to-day and the nut ting party. I am sure father might let me go in company like other girls. "Good-bye. Ellen D'Arcy." Having read the faded missive over and over again, the Doctor fell into a reverie that soon found vent iu audible soliloquy. "The problem of life is one that hu manity has scarcely yet begun to learn. Some progress has been made with the present generation, but the great mass of the people yet iguore their most vi tal interests. Had the young life of my Ellen been unconstrained and natural, as it should have been, instead of false and conventional, as it was had she even been permitted to accompany that nutting party in the long ago oh, was a boy then, but I loved her more than all the world! But it's no use I lost her." A lieavy knocking at the door aroused him. Hurriedly thrusting the letter beneath the bed-clothes, as though it were something too sacred for the pro fanation of other eves. Dr. Goff re sponded with a faint "como in." Tho visitor was Polly Dowd. Her heavy black hair, now streaked with gray, was combed back from a brow wrinKieu wun over-work aim care. Her form had acquired n bent and shrunken outline, in striking contrast to its full vigor when first introduced to the reader, years ago. Dropping her self wearily in a chair, she exclaimed anxiously: "What, Doctor? You sick, and no body here to care for you? Some of God's angels must have sent mo here. But if Pole should know it tlicro would be an awful muss." "It is true that lam disabled, madam, hut I am sorry that you came if you must hide tho knowledge of your visit from your husband." "I fell that you'd got sick, and that somebody must see about you. You've done me too many favors for me to ne glect you, even at the risk of a row." The visitor opened a basket, well tilled with choice viands, and proceeded to adjust them on a tray. "I have eaten nothing for two days," aid tho Doctor, "and whatTwant now is not food, but water. Bring me a drink, please." A refreshing draught was brought from the spring, and tho patient quaffed it with eagerness. "Xsow," said Tolly cheerfully, "if you'll try a bit of this chicken a little of the broth won't hurt you, I know. If you'll just show that you've appetite enough to build up on, I've something better than victuals to show you when you're through." The broth soon disappeared, and Polly was compelled to prohibit her patient from eating more. "Sick people havo no sense: von know you've often' said so," was her comment, as she placed the food beyond his reach. "Why don't you ask what I've got to show you, Doctor?" holding aloft a let ter and shaking it lautalizingiy before him. Dr. GofI was all impatience now. Tho post-mark, "San Francisco," had caught his attention, aud with an ex clamation of surprise, which the twinges or ins rheumatism changed to sudden writhings and exclamations of pain, ho clutched for it nervously. The letter was placed within his hands. Trem blingly he broke the seal. Instinctively he knew its author. "Como to us, dear Dr. Goff," tho let ter said. "Often, when the shades of ovening fall upon the city and mryiad lights from tho streets glauco up to greet the hosts of stars, my mind runs back to the days of my childhood, and prominent among tho few appreciative friends I had you stand, tho impersona tion of a noble, useful life. "A strange lot has befallen me here. Fortune has smiled upon my specula tions, riches almost limitless are mine, but best of all, the meridian of my eventful life is crowned with a recipro cal and pure affection, tho brightest Ideal of happiness. Providence inclined the footsteps of my love. You will re member Edgar Worth. Ho Is my hus band now, and oh, we arc so happy! "But my heart aches when I think of Peter and his wife. Are tbcv doinc well? I don't mean in worldly aflairs, but are they walking in the light of a better life? Are they affectionate aud forbearing with each other? Hoes Peter iicuiftcrwciiy l'oorcnlld! sue was a great sinner, but more sinned against than sinning, after all. "Now, Dr. Goff, I have a proposition to make, or rather a command. My husband's mother is with us, and is partially derauged. Enclosed is a check to defray your expenses in making her a professional visit. Come by the Isth mus route. I have pledged my husband that you will not disappoint us. I have a thousand things to tell you, but will wait until you come. Remember mo to Polly. Before you start go to the grave of my mother and pick a boquet of the wild grass that grows above her head and bring it with you. Listen to the katy-dids for me. Bring pebbles from the Mackinaw and leaves from my favorite maple. Gather a boouet of chrysanthemums from Aunt Betsey Graham's dear old garden, and don't forget Uncle Jacob's cane. "Yours in the fullest expectation of sceingyou within a mouth, Ellen." Dr. Goff forgot his rheumatism in n whirl of new sensations. Polly sat Hko ono turned to stone. "How did this letter get In your pos session?" said the Doctor, as soon as he could say anything. "I stole it!" was the hoarse roply. "Pete knew it was from her, 'cause the post-mark said 'San Francisco, so he meant to lose it by accident. I beat him at his own game tliat time, didn't I? When he tries to find it. I'll sav it's lost. Ellen was kind to me when I had no friend but her, and I h'an't for got it, If my life is a hard one. But it jvon't do to let Poter know that I've been here. He's as Jealous as Salmi." "Ho certainlv 1ms nn ,i . t Jio ceriaituj nas no good cause to be 11. jealous of you, Polly." "Ho knows I don't love him." "Then you needn't wonder at his jeal ousy." "But I know ho never loved me." "Then you are both to blame for your present unhappiness. My advice to you is to go and tell your husband that you have been here. Tell him that you brought me that letter. No matter who may try to trammel you, be honest with yourself. Men are very easily managed if women only know how to treat them." . Tm sureTvo always managed Pete. I couldn't get along at all unless I did." "Yes, you've managed to deceive him; and often, when you've thought you had the wool well over his eyes, he's known everything you were doing. You havo taught him to distrust you by your own trickery.!' . "Dr. GofT, do you . accuse me, when Fvo been a nigger froni the day I mar ried that man, of not belli' a good and faithful wife?" ' , "I accuse you of hotblns Iu a spirit of accusation. I merely tell you the truth. You've taken many a prescription from me. Now try tills one go homo and tell your husbaud that you yielded to your conviction of duty and brought mo my letter. Tell him you found me ill, and like a good Samaritan ministered to my needs. Be kind and firm and frank with him, standing up firmly for your own rights, and you'll manage him easy enough. I never yet saw a man who was able to pope with a woman who knew her duly and was strong enough to stand by it. The plague with women is, they endure injus tice in the spirit of martyrdom, and then try to outwit their lords by strat egy." "Well, I'll try your advlco aud see what'H come of it. It's most dinner time. Seventeen men to cook for and two miles to walk. He'll miss me if I don't hurry." "Let him miss you. If you intend to tell the truth about your visit to me, why need you fear that ho will know that you havo been absent?" Polly had no reply to offer. Putting on her bonnet, she hurried home, and tired as she was, Hew to preparing din ner. "Tlie simpleton won't have tho moral courago to do as I advised," said Dr. GofT, and ho was right. Loft alone with his reflections aud his rheumatism, tho Doctor read his letters over and over, first tho old and then the new one. Nearly a half century had rolled away to join the ever-Increasing scroll of distance between the writ ing of tho mother's and daughter's thoughts, and here lie lingered, on the shores of time, while one was in the laud of souls and the other far away in the earth-life, working out her mortal destiny. The new impetus given to his thoughts infused new life into his de caying frame. In a few days ho was able to reach tho residenco of Peter Dowd, and the news spread like wild fire that tho Doctor was going to Cali fornia. Maids and matrons shook their heads in suspicion. One "had never liked the intimacy of Dr. GofT witli that hateful, sly Ellen Dowd. True, nobody could fasten any chargo of auy tiling bad upon her so as to prove it, hut decent women that stayed at homo aud did their duty never did come to nuy such luck as she'd met witli." nother "pitied tho poor creature's children. It was such a shame that a woman could ho allowed to so disgrace her family." Still another "felt deep sympathy with Peter Dowd. He'd a' been A No. 1 if he'd only had a good wife in the be ginning." ill her luxurious home, hard by tlu Golden Gate, our herome'id-her lovc- crowned household heeded not coli! aspersions of the suspicious world. Aided aud counseled by her noble hus band, she was preparing day by day for active public labor in the great, much- needed reformation, which can only come through equal rights before the law. To be continued. A Swedish Dairy. Miss Claussen, of Poiut Reyes, con ducts a dairy on what is known as tho Swedish system, ono which differs materially from that in vogue in Cali fornia. Instead of ordinary pans, the milk is set in tin cans, holding 22 gallons each, being 22 inches deep by 20 inches iu diameter. Tho cream rises to tho depth of 3 to 4 inches. These cans arc not set on shelves, but in large, vat like receptacles, through which cold spring water is constantly running, the c;ius being sunk in the stream to the top of the milk. Manv would think tho cream would not all rise from sucli a largo body of milk, but this is an error. When tuo odor and warmth of the animal aroall removed, tho cream will all float. Uni formity of temperature, and that low, Is the requisite. This method is much used in New York, where the lady named told us it originated, and that It was copied from tuo empire btatc by dairymen of Sweden. Mr. W. O. L. Crandell, who wa3 pres ent, thought it originated in Sweden, and was adopted iu this country. Mr. IL Claussen runs two dairies; the 0110 formerly occupied by his venerable father, at present tho homo of his mother and sister, and tho other about two miles beyond, r. is. uramieirs lay 111s: between, on tlie two places 610 cows arc milked: On tlie dairy of which we havo been sncaKincr. Miss Claussen is tlie nutter 1 maker, haviuir full direction and iKr . . ,,. . - lorming mo laoor ucirsii. cue worKs ,!, i,Mr r onn mvra xl-uu w own hands. She thinks no butter-worker has ever been invented that is nuito equal to the human baud, directed by an intelligent and experienced head. When she showed us her morninc's work, a 135-pound roll of as nice butter as ever came from a dairy, our thoughts civ uiviueti uciwecu tno ouuer ami tuo butter queen. I'.verytninc about tlin mltrr.mnm. and, indeed, all the dairv build! as neat and sweet as water and scrub- tun iHiisc it. jtiss u. is a rare specimen of her sex, a fine model for American girls to imitate. Above the medium size, her figure straight and Graceful, neither full norsnaro. hir ston quiet, but quick and springy: her whole physique denoting perfect health and freshness; her mauuer uiodest and self- forgctrul, almost to a fault; and her con vcrsation that of an intelligent and in denendent woman, familiar with the theories and practice of the best minds in her profession on both continents: pervading all an air of contentment and satisfaction with her lot. which we could wish was not so rare with hersex in this country. She Is giving the Swedish (or New Yorkl svstem a fair trial, and if it is found ad,antageous on the whole for this latitude, she will doubtless soon have, many imitators. Marin Co. Jour nal. LETTEE EEOMMBS. YI0T0E. Dear Mrs. Duniway:It ray name Is not Peregrine Pickle, it ought to be; for to my peregrinations tliero is no end; and as for the pickle, lam pretty nearly always in one! When I left Portland-on-AVallamet two months ago, it was with the vaguest of Ideas about what I should encounter east of tho moun tains. 1 had heard of tho Modocs, and did not aspire to an encounter with them. There were rumors afloat of In dian Agents scarcely less formidable than their barbarian wards. It was understood that alkali and volcanic ash and scoria constituted most of tlie Ter ritory known as tho Lake Country. These several distinct impressions were all that I felt sure of gained I hardly could tell how from one and another reckless talker. I set out therefore with a lagging sense of anticipation of what was to come doubting if my summer wander ings iu this direction would prove cither pleasant or profitable. "I wish it dis tinctly understood that I hadn't any passes, and therefore speak witli entire freedom to say Avhat I choose; and if I thank the officers of the O. & C. It. It. train for courteous treatment, and a ride on the locomotive through tho most romantic portion of the railroad route, it is for actual politeness from theui, and not an acknowledgment of dead head privileges. The Hoot of tlie matter was the conductor; and its branches wero baggage-master Anderson, and "Jimmy," the newsboy. Having been over tho road iu old stage-coach times, I was delighted to find that the charm of novelty still re mained; for of course the railroad does not follow the stage road grade altogether. Tho pass' through tlie Calapooia mountains into the beautiful Umpqua country is especially Hue, pass ing as it docs through a forest of giant timber, and cool ferny nooks, moist with the. trickling of mountain rills. Emerging from this, wo came at once into Yoncalla Valley a lovely region, and rendered famous from having so long been the residenco of one of Ore gon's most eminent men and famous pioneers, Josso Applegale. The old mansion at the foot of Yoncalla moun tain is abandoned by the "Sago" who erst gave dignity to its ready hospital ity, aud one must look for the proprietor on tlie borders of Clear Lake in North ern California. At Itoseburg we leave a comfortable car, anil hasten to take a not very com fortable coach. As a tourist must grumblo somewhere, I seize upon this opportunity. When one is about to commence a night ride, one wants three quarters of an hour at the very least to j310 for "J but t Boseburg it Is pre- suraetl ttlSC -QlLcan nitcnu to your toilet, tako supper, and get lHtoonrm nlgut wraps In fifteen minutes an on account of tho stage company's en thusiastic intention to make time, aud deliver its passengers to the waiting train on the California end of the road at a stated moment. I left out the sup per, having been fortified thereto by a private lunch on board the train. Stage- driving in Oregon is good I find no fault with that. But the Stage Com pany probably could aflord, If they thought of the sufferings of their pas sengers, to put in cushions that are a trifle less hard than a rock. On the whole, it would be cheaper than smoothing down tho Irregularities in tho road which make the spring cush ions desirable. One gets through tlie night, to one's astonishment, witiiout being reduced to elly, and after a comfortable breakfast, resumes the journey feeling somewhat refreshed. But no! outraged nature re sents the maltreatment the nervous sys tem has undergone, and the digestive organs arc undergoing, aud insists upon an outside scat after a dose of cam-phor-and-watcr. That is a happy suggestion. Tlie driver proves good company, besides being a philosopher; and the bright morning air becomes a tonic. Wc get on very amicably to the dinner statiou at Bock Point; and here our sense of justice is offended afresh, After tho coach arrives, time is con sumcd getting dinner on tho table, necessarily. By the time we are seated and havo swallowed half a meal, tlie word is given to start again. Of course the horses and driver have had their mnnl before-hand without hurry. Tlie inlsorablo passenger, whose only bus! ness is to pay his fare, Is not consulted. On the contrary, ho is compelled to con sent to be regarded as fast freight; faster when at the stations than when on the road. But it all conduces to make us glad to como to our journey's end, as well as to vow wo never will no, never! tako coai:h through Oregon again. JJut wo shall of course wc shall ana tno totage Company knows it .U Ashland, a charming village mine foot-hills, mv stacc ride came to a ciose, and I was hospitably entertained over Sunday at the house of another of Ore gon's pioueers. Lindsay Applegate, brother of Jesse, and father of Gen. E. L. Applegate, of Lane county. From this point I traveled In company with a privato party across the mountains, making sixty-two miles in three days! But that was tho lin of iL Whatofr caslon for hurry ''when the" world was all beforo us where (and when) to choose?" It was 'tho most genuine gypsying I ever ild: ami to my con fusion I discovered that on a gypsying excursion I was lacking in some very needful accomplishments. For in stance, I have permitted myself to be come so effeminate and awkward as not to bo able to ride a hard-trotting horse. Palace cars and carriage cushions arc demoralizing. But then I could tcalk that is something I have not yet given up; and I could laugh heartily at the graceful appearance of tho young lady who did venture on the horse with an ugly gait. "Wo had our choice of the hack, tho saddle, or afoot; and to redeem my character from the charge of too great Iuxuriousness, I walked miles in tho fragrant shadows of giant pines, conversing meanwhile with a com panion of inexhaustible resources, and did not feel In the least punished by my self-imposed penance. But I did regret not being able to keep up with the hunters, who went ahead to choose camp and bring in game. However, I enjoyed the trout if I did not catch them; and enjoyed trying to find com fort in a camp bed. I am a child of Nature, and fond of my mother; but Ido rather shrink from reposing on her broad bosom without the interposition of a French bedstead and a good spring mattress; that is to say, I did shrink from it just at first; but that weakness, I hope, is conquered. Tho second night we had venison for supper, and might have had bear meat, only our hunters had fallen behind to take care of their venison when tho great "Cinnamon" came galloping out of tho thicket ahead of us, and hurried off into the forest at our right. Perhaps he heard tho rifle and guessed what it meant. I am mourning yet because I did not get that particular bear skin for a rug. As we camped for the night not far from tho bcar-wulks, it was pleasantly excit ing to surmise the possibility of an ursine visitor in camp; and terribly dis turbing also to bo wakened at three o'clock iu tho morning to see Venus! just as if Venus was not likely to last one's life-time, and to be evening and morning star at intervals during the whole of that period. I know of people so insane as to invite you to look at the moon as if the moon were a novelty! Our party arrived at Linkville, the metropolis of Southern-Eastern Oregon, on the 3d of July, where preparations were being made for celebrating tho Fourth. As the young ladies were intorebted in the festivities of that day, and as I was kindly invited to participate, Ibecame patriotic, and went out to hear the young orator, L C. Ap plegate, discourse of our Nation's his tory from first to hist In a manner rather more original than anniversary orators are accustomed to do. Tlie exercises of the day closed witli a ball; arjiHf'any one Is malicious enough to er tbat tho crave and reverend autl;0r of this letter - jj Kiietrr?, I sn'SJiJdstats uncompromislng- that they told the truth. Linkville is well situated to catch the travel and business of the country, but iu the least attractive spot of the whole Lake region. It lies at tho base of tho mountains on the cast side, and at the foot of the Upper Klamath Lake, just where Link river, which connects the two lakes, runs out of it. Tho rolling land about it is destitute of timber, which want is so great a one In any landscape, especially one destitute of green grass. Hot springs and ashen soil attest the volcanic origin of its pe culiar features, "iet Mr. Nourso has a fine garden on the river bottom; and near town I saw wheat being harvested. Tliirty-ouo miles to the north of Link- villo Is Klamath Agency. Six miles further north, Fort Klamath, both handsomely located among pine groves of great beauty, and furnished with the most dcliciously pure aud cold water. About half that distance south, on Link river, is the place of Capt. Jack's camp, where tho first fight occurred on the 20th of November; and an equal distance be yond takes one down to tho scenes of those massacres of settlers which led to tho war, and on to Tulo Lake, now ren dered forever historical, first by unpro voked murders of immigrants, and lastly by an unheard-of act of treachery on tho part of the murderers toward a Commission which only dealt too len lentiy with them. The history of the events which led to tho Modoc war will hardly be written in this genera tion; and the unwritten facts will bo those possessing the intensest interest, even when something like a history shall be produced. It is not the fault of iuterviewers, be it understood, if no ac count of these things is furnished to tho public in proper form. Ouooftlilsun canny tribe rayscii, i ieit some com punctions of conscience when I behold tho rapacity of my kind. Be it known that Job's patience would scarcely have been sufficient to meet the exigencies of the qizzing which the officers of the Agency, particularly, had to undergo. Tho courtesy and kindness extended to us Is, and always will rctnaiu, a wonder to my miud. It is so much tho fashion to be rate Indian Agents that I shall most likely astonish a majority by taking their side against their maligners. Everybody knows of what they are ac cusedstealing, peculation, utifairness to tlie Indians, cruelty, lying, and the rest of tlie decalogue of sins. It is cu rious to me how tlie agents on tho Klamath Reservation contrived to mako anything out of a position where the appropriations were so small and so slowly remitted; so small, iu fact, even now, that it is impossible to carry on the Improvements stipulated iu tlie treaty to any degree of perfection. And then tho salaries behind, too. At this rate an Indian Agent may be looked upon as an underpaid ami suftcring rather than a money-making individual. Tlie duties required of one arc anything but agreeable, the servant of, rather than tho master of his wards attending to every want from a gun-lock to a baby's shroud. An Indian likes or dislikes, very much like any other ignorant and narrow-minded person. Everybody knows how much more difficult to deal with is ignoranco than intelligence. Add bad propensities and savage ideas to a total lack of all valuable knowl- edgo and you have the character of many of tho Indians with whom an gent has to deal. But the Govern ment ignores the wrongs of its employes, and In its surpassing sympathy for the Indian forgets to "be just before being generous." I am satisfied that the af fairs of the Klamath Agency would bear tho strictest investigation, and that tho talcs afloat concerning the provocation given to Jack and his band arc both false and foolish. Having an opportunity to observe the administra tion of the present Agent, and being ac-1 quainted with tho man who formerly managed affairs on the Reservation, I feel competent to say that there was not only no ground of complaint against them, but that they seem to have acted with singular manhood and good faith towards the Indians and the Depart ment. Yet in California, and even in Oregon, tho contrary opinion is reck lessly stated by people totally unin formed of tho facts in tlie case. I did not set out to defend anybody; that last paragraph slipped in unawares. WhatI meant to tell you of was the many pleasant excursious T enjoyed while slopping at Klamath Agency from go ing to take notes of Jack's trial, to vis iting the wonderful Crater Lake. But I cannot tell you everything in one number of your paper I don't know that I want anybody to know tho half I enjoyed on this summer voyage. Suf fice it for the prescut that to travel in Eastern Oregon requires you to wear stout shoes, a linen duster, adust-cap, an immense hat; to carry a field-glass and a carbine; to know how to make a hem lock bed, or sleep on a haystack, and to talk jargon. With these accoutre ments and accomplishments, if you arc a good and indefatigable lider, you will get along. Norn. Eastern Oregon is settled by cattle-raisers, and for that purpose the country is first beat and good for little else than good beer, oui;sr-2KUcheese. Moral. If you are well cnougholi;- stay where you are. If you want to raise cattle, and can find two or three thousand acres of unclaimed land with a splendid springon it, and a mag nificent pine grove adjoining, why, go take it; there is nothing to hinder, ex cept, perhaps, capital to stock it. F. F. V. P. S. I had nearly forgotten the. postscript, the most important part of a true woman's letter and I wisli to be true womanly, of course. I will just say hero that tho only reason I do not put some real informaticn about the coun try, etc., Into my letter, is because I do not resemble Mark Twain, who cannot help being sensible and wise when lie only means to bo amusing. If I fail of being either sensible or amusing, so much tho worso for me. V. How to Make a Mustakd Plas ter, How many people are there who really Know now to mako a mustard plaster ? Not one in a hundred, at tho most, perhaps, and yet mustard plasters are used in every family. Physicians prescribing their application never tell anybody how to make them, for the simple reason that doctors themselves do not know, as a rule. The ordinary way is to mix tlie mustard witli water, tempering it with a little Hour, but such a plaster as that makes is simply abominable. Before it has half done its work it begins to blister the patient. and leaves him finally witli a painful, uayeu spot, alter naving produced far less effect in a beneficial way than was intended. Now. a mustard ulastor should not blister at ail. If a blister is wanted, there are other plasters far better than mustard for tho purpose. When you make a mustard nlaster. then USO no water whatever, lint, miv the mustard witli the white of and tho result tvili "draw" perfectly, t. . . . ,, . , .... - uui, win not prouueo a ouster even upon tho skin of an infant, no matter how Ioug it is allowed to remain upon tlie part. For this wo have tho word of an eminent physician, as well as our own experience. A Boy's Idea of Heads. "Heads are of different shapes and sizes. They are full of notions. Large heads do not always hold tho most. Some persons can tell just what a man is by the shape of his head. Hich heads are the best kind. Very knowing people are called long-headed. A fellow, that won't stop for anything or anybody is called hot headed. If he Isn't quite so bright they call him soft-headed; If ho won't be coaxed nor turned, they call him pig headed. Animals have very small heads. The heads of fools slant back. When your head is cut oil" you are be headed. Our heads are all eovered with nair except, uaiu neaus. There arc other kinds of heads besides our heads. There are barrel heads, heads of ser monsand some ministers used to have fifteen heads to one sermon: nin heads: heads of cattle, as tho farmer calls his cows ana oxen; uead winds; drum hpada: nahhncn liomlar nf Incrrrof- liro.lc come to a head: heads of chanters: hn.ni him off; head of the family, and go uueau uut ursi, ue sure you are ngut." A Mother's Drentn. BY GEORGE COOPER. "I wish there were no children," - ' t The sighing mother said. As o'erher fretful little ones .- ? hue howeu her weary head. The house grew dark and silent, ' ' .o trill of lauKhter woke the air. nuaiieu were me sounds of play. She looked abroad, tho people Moved slowly to and fro; The sunlight seemed not hnlfso bright? in-iiu iwviiieu me worm, oeiow. There were no hallowed memories, t io mnipieu arms, so oiesi, w. No good-night kiss: the mother's heart t-oemeu use an empty nest. To toll, no sweet Incentive Oune with redoubled might; The tranquil skies Krew dark and dull, tuenooiioiaayseemeunignu - Where were the thousand pleaxures Tbat little hands hadjgl ven-T Whore were the senile, loving sools - 10 ue taagnt ine way 10 iieaven t Two little feet were waiting On the radlnnt shore nfer; 1 J". No soft, wee hands now held for hor The peany gates ajar. On tlie mother's waking eyelids The teardrops fondly beamrd, As she clasped hor children mid thanked God That sue nau on ly iireamen : Overwork and want of Sleep. ' Overwork causes a great deal of ill- health in funning communities. Very many farmers, in their efforts to avoid idleness, which they consider a sin and a shame, go to tho other extreme and lose both liealtu and liappiness thereby. While industry tends to health, over work breaks down the constitution and shortens life. It injures both tlie body and mind, and if long continued results eitlior in death or premature old age. For this sin and sin it is to overwork there is not nearly the excuse on the part of farmers which there was twenty years ago. iNow one lias machines to take, m a great degree, tlie place or hand labor, and tlie farmer who will use them need not break down his health by working too hard. But itis not the farmer who is most likely to overwork. The farmer's wife is gener ally the greatest sullerer. Every day iu the year, Sundays not excepted, she lias much to do. Olteu there is as much re quired of her as two women ought to perform. As tho result of her over work, health is lost, and she either dies long before her time or lives only to sutler the penalties of the law she has transgressed. For this course there is no justification. No woman ought to work herself to death, aud no man is justified in requiring or allowing his wife to do so. He ought to furnish her with household machines, and if her health is poor either help her himself or hire a girl to help her. This killing himself and his wife, which so many farmers do, for the sake of laying up a few dollars which they never expect to use, and which they cannot carry with them when they die. is a miserable speculation as far as profit and loss are concerned, and a sinful, shameful thing for any man to do. Want of sleep is one of the chief causes of much of the physical and men tal trouble of fanners ami their familii-s. During the busy season, when the farmer rises at four in the morning and works until six or seven iu the evening, then eats his supper, does his chores, ,ml sits up an hour or two later to read his naner oT chat with Z neighbor, he does not obtain sleep enough t8-kesp either body or mind in perfect liealtli and vigor. The evil consequences of his courso may not be apparent for many years, but sooner or later they will come. The waste of the brain is not fully made up. Little bv little it do- cays aud insanity or incurable disease is tlie tinal result of using the hours which should be devoted to sleep forother pur poses, l-armcrs' wives, who are orten kept awake at night by the exhaustion caused by overwork or by the crying and fretting of children, are the great est sulferers, and year" by year a vast number ot tins class go to tno insane asylum or tlie grave. It is slow but certain suicide to curtail tlie hours of sleep, and no man, woman or child need expect to long continue In good health without taking tlie fullest amount of quiet rest. Working Farmer. Use of Tobacco. On this subject we give the following remarks from the lpular Seience Monthly. Wc recommend them to the consideration of smokers: "Tobacco belongs to the clas3 of nar cotic and exciting substances, acd has no food value. Stimulation means ab stracted, not added force. It involves the narcotic paralysis of a portion of tho functions, the activity of which is es sential to healthy life. "It will be said that tobacco Soothes and cheers the weary toiler, and solaces tlie overworked Uram. such may bo its momentary ellects, that the sequel cannot be ignored. Alt such expedients are fallacious. When a certain amount of brain-work or hand-work has been performed, nature must have space to recuperate, and all devices for escaping from this necessity will fail. It is bad policy to set the house on fire to warm our hands by the blaze. Let it, then, be clearly understood that the temporary excitement produced by tobacco is gained by the destruction of vital force, and that it coutains absolutely nothing which can be oi use to me tissues or tho body. "Tobacco adds no potential strength to tho human frame. It may spur a weary brain or feeble arm to undue ex ertion for a short time, but its work ia destructive, not constructive. It cannot add ono molecule to the plasm out of which our uouies arc uauy ouilt Up. On the contrary, it exerts unon it a mnsr. deleterious influence. It does not sui- ply, but diminishes vital force. "It lias been denied that tobacco leads to organic disease, but tho evi dence is very strong the other way, and it would be very remarable if continued functional derangement did not ulti mately lead to chronic derangement of the organs; that it causes functional disturbance, no one dreams of denying; Indeed, it has been remarked that no habitual smoker can be said, to have a perfect day's health." excessive smoking is unquestionably bad. jvuu even me smallest quantity of smoking is very bad Tor boys. To see an urchin ten years old sucking.a cigar, which is nearly as big as himself," is &n unpleasant spectacle, and it'bodes little for Iho future energy of the prematura smoker. . tj, I