St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-08-12

feather grew taller, the pcoIy root in
the centre of the circular bed hloOmcd
more profuscly, the Iceland moss crept
all over the borders, the towering al
mond's spikes bent under their blush
ing burden, and the cinnamon roses
blOomed and cast their petals down on
the garden walk.
But change came over the doctors
quiet household. One day that good
gentleman took a letter from the post
oflicc-told Miss Susy to pack his
valisc for a short absence from home
and three days aftcrward the Dent
ford stage set down the doctor, a little
girl of some twelve summers, and a
black trunk containing all the worldly
goods Of the girl aforesaid at the
doctors gate.
All Dentford was surprised, but Miss
Susy Short was horror-strickcn when
the doctor walked into the sitting
room with his charge, saying quietly,
Miss Susy, this is Ruth Blanchard.
Her mother is dead, and | have adopt
cd her VIII you have a room ready
shortly ? the south chamber, for !
suppose little Ruth is tired enough
with her Journey
Miss Susy was shocked. At first
think she would have spoken, bnt the
words broke off short in her throat
then, observing a look on the doctors
face she had never seen bciore-she
contentcd herself with scowl, and
without deigning glance at the Girl,
who. at the doctors bidding, had re
moved her bonnet and sank into a seat,
flung herself out Of the room.
TO think of il !" she exclaimed
to herself, when she had found breath,
" to bring stranger right into the
house, and never give body a hint
of it. Did ever ! Wonder who this
gal is? Won't ask him, if it chokes
me. Never hcarn of relation Of the
doctors with chick or child The
best room, too best carpet-bcst
curtains-best kiverlid, and every
thing! Ruth is tired hun whoev-
er cared if | was tircd?" and she
ierked back the blind, letting the at-
ternoon sunlight fall brightly into the
pleasant chamber.
All that day Miss Susy went about
the house in a pie-crusty mood. The
doctor said nothing, but he was very
certain that the doors slammed CON
tinually, that the usually quiet Tabby
cat was glad to seek refuge anywhere
beyond the kitchen precincts, and that
Irish Tim even venturcd series Of
cxpletivcs in choice Celtic as a return
to Susy's seedlings.
And next morning, the pattern
tomary avocation of churning rrcsl,
butter, avcrring to herself in a grumb-
ling undcrtone, that Salt butter was
plenty good enough for folks as made
trouble for other folks
The doctor ate his corn cake and
slipped his black tea III silence, even
tasting the butter which little Ruth
bountfully spread on the smoking bis
cult and yet Miss Susy felt vastly
more uncomfortable than if he had ad-
ministercd the servCrcst rcproof
But when the meal was finished,
and little Ruth had gone out into the
garden, he spoke,
Miss Susy."
No answer for in the vigorous rat
Ting of the dishes, she pretended not
to hear him.
Miss Susy, be SO kind as to si>
down. have few words to say t(
YOU
This time the spinstcr could not pre-
tend deafness, and ungraclUusIy y flung
herself into the seat.
| The doctor did not walk the floor, o
awkwardly twist his handkerchief, al
had hitherto been his wont when OF
the point of asking a concession from
his housekecpcr--for it must be col
fessed that she had held iron sway il
that housc-but came directly to TIA
matter. The fact was, DIR. Manning
began to gather the reins into his ow
| hands.
Miss Susy, are you dissatistic
with your situation III my house ! Ii
asked, gravely.
The spinstcr looked up in surprise
Why, who said---' she began.
: There is an old saying that a
, tions speak louder than words,' I
ioined the doctor, But, Miss Sus,
!. it is best we understand each othe
For ten years and ovcr, you and
4 have lived together in peace and ha
a mony-isn't it SO ~
a Miss Susy nodded.
"Well-we have lived together
harmony, but all alone. Last We
:. nesday | received letter from W
d man who lay ill., and whom ha
4, known in other days" and the doctor
& voice softened. But no matt
!, about that had known her, she W;
r a dear friend once, and she lay dyil
= IA poor widow with an only chill
S | went to hcr--l promised that dyii
woman to be a father to her chill
,r Susy, have enough of this worlt
n goods and to sparc-l have lived
,e selfish, close life, but mean to Ii
n different one in future. This g
" will cheer up this great house a
% make you and me young again.
et course she will make work and ca
in for us both ]; but | will not have l.
IN feel herself burden. You did 1
IN like it yesterday when l brought i
Ii here-and if it goes on so, poor, mo
ne erless Ruth will be miserable. Mu
ut as l set by you, Miss Susy--l shol
of hate to part with you-still-"
IS, There was pause. Miss Su
s; Short sat in silence For worlds 5
IL would not lose her situation besit
to there was little tender spot do
in deep in the spinster's heart, and thu
~ words, "poor, motherless child" h
" reached it. She also had been an
he phan.
i'm doctor" said she at last, ratl
ii confusedly it must be confessed,
SIS did feel a little put about it. l thong
re at least, you might told a DO
es But let it all go now I'll do my b
~ by Ruthy-"