The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-02-16

childs simplicity Of heart, with a wo
mans tenderness and nobleness of natur,
that was godlike in its upiightness and
truth. The irreparable weight of her be
reavement once more overpowerd her. and
.ne tears she shed seemed like tears o.
blood Wrung from the heart.
The hard, uncompromising truth al
length stared the widow and orphan in
the face. They were beggars. All were
swept from them, to the very home in
which they had lived so happily. Will, a
strength Of purpose scarcely belonging to
her years. Ruth Lee aroused herself from
her grief, and set herself to seriously plan.
ming what had best be done. She could
not look for much help from her mother,
Tor her health, never very good, seemed
so broken down by her atfiiction that
Ruth began to fear she might lose her
also.
ITO morrow, dear Ruth, We must leave
the home where we have seen so much
Joy. Strangers will reap the fruits of
your dear fathers taste and judgment, in
planning and executing this comfortable
abode. But what shall we dol Shall
We accept brother Richards invitation TO
make home with himlr
"And be looked upon by his parsimon.
sous wife rs dependents in the way! No.
dear mother, while l have youth and
health l will look to no one but myself
Tor our support. I have found two plea.
SAINT little rooms down town, that can
get for mere song"
ayes, but that song must bo paiJ for.
and what with, dear Ruthlr
by myself have decided upon max
"Ruthi"
I'll always had a handy way with nv
scissors and needle" continued Ruth. with
steady voice, but cheek more and
more pale.
"You he dress makerlr
"Why not, dearest motheri II is an
honest employment"
"But you play and sing so beautifully!
IL you must do something, why not teach
musici"
"Who would learn OF me; dear motberl
10 whom could apply, or would I apply
Tor patronage! All our friends, even our
relations, have shown how little thev ex-
Pect to do for US Then, doubt nv own
proficiency too much to put myself before
Tie world rs muse teacher. Besides.
Me-! we have no home suitable I" hrino nuniIs
"But situation in some school, nv
chilli"
"would take me from you too much
during the day. No, dearest mother; I
have thought Of all, Of every thing, and
can sec nothing else for me t. do. Be
sides, have partially engaged some work
for next week. Aunt Winslow paid us
another stately visit while you were lying
down this afternoon, and, without making
any offer Of assistance, which, God for
give, me! il she had, should not have
accePted-she seemed very desirous to
know our plans for the future. told her
my plan, and she remarked, in very
patronizing way, that it was a very judi
cious one, and that Bertha had several
new dresses to be made, and that might
try my hand at one next week"
The next week found Ruth and her
mother settled in their narrow quarters.
Ruth made the dress, and il was pro-
nounced 8 eft" and soon she had more
custom" than she could well manage
The very fashionable persons who had,
since her change in fortune, declined
recognizing her as an acquaintance,
were glad to avail themselves Of her un-
deniable skill.
To her taste and ingenuity there seem
ed no limit; and, as she always kept her
promises, cost her what sleepless hours
they might, she soon found herself able
TO place before her mother many Of those
little comforts to which she had been ac-
customed, and which her frail health de.
manded.
And now, in the elegant mansion Of
TIE Winslows, oil was hustle and prepara-
ton. An unlocked for piece OF good for.
tune had befallen them. The plain Car
olinc, had actually received an offer, "not-
withstanding the oft-repeated predictions
Of her mother and sister to the contrary"
as Mrs. Winslow with much satisfaction,
told her friends.
The happy bridegroom in prospective
was crustry old bachelor, worth his
weight in gold, who never till now had
found woman sufficiently ill.favored to
justify him in proposing to her the ques-
ton matrimonial. He had taken life
long prejudice to pretty women.
"They are all yain," he said, Hand love
themselves and every one else better than
they do their own lawful husbands. And,
from being Aattered all their lives, they
get TO think themselves better able to
Judge Of every thing than any one else
can for them"
All was preparation. The down stairs
was uninhabitable with painters and up
holsters, and the up stairs was in as much
turmoil with sewing girls and satins, lin
ems, laces, and lady friends; for there was
to be such grand wedding as had never
been known.
Tired with the confusion, Mr.. Winslo~
found faalt with every thing; bot, he wa,
not much needed. A he lived mostly ir
his counting-room, OF nc his club, the moth
CT and daughters had al pretty mucl
their own way.
at Is alIthe time what win be becoming