Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-12

10 come to Laurens. and spend some month:
IN the home of her aunt. Mrs. Randolph was
the only sister of Mr. H., an amable and ac
complished lady, blessed with an excellent hus
band and an ample fortune No child had
ever gladdened their unon and their love went
out towards the only daughter of their only
brother, and prompted the wish to have her
with them for a season.
The fond parents talked long and earnestly
on the subject, but without deciding. Rnth
was never absent for any considerable period
from the home circle, and the thought of sepa.
rating her from them for several moaths was
really painful one. At last it was settled
that Ruth herself should decide the matter. and
If she chose to 60 they would not object. But
where, IN the meantime. was the object of their
thoughts Were YOU to have looked in at
the open door Of widow Merideths Door cot
tage, you might have seen her sitting at the
little west window with an open bible on her
lap, striving to catch the last rays of light
which came but dmy through the cracked and
dusty paneS, that the heart Of that poor lone
one might be comforted by Gods precious pro-
misses. At later hour, Ruth might have been
seen aiding the tremulouS hands of are in dis
robins and placing gently on her bed the bow
ed and feeble form. Her mission of love ac-
compliShed, Ruth placed on her arm the bas-
ket in which she had brought some little deli
cacieS for the widow, and calling her dog to
her side, bade the old woman good night, and
took her way home, breathing prayer of
thanksgiving to the good God, who had given
her kind friends and a pleasant home Ruth
/ observed, as she entered the room where her
parents were sitting, that something had oc-
Cured to disturb their serenity, and anxiously
inquired the cause Upon being made ac-
quainted with her aunt's proposal, she express
ed surprise, and said she must defer her decis-
ion for a little time
The following day she told her parents she
had concluded to accept the invitation. Ac-
cordingly, three weeks later, Ruth, in company
with her brother William set out on her Jour
ney The distance was about three hundred
miles, but by the aid of that mighty agent,
s'ssm they were landed in safety at their aunts
door at the close of the second dav. Ruth
was delighted with everything about her aunt 5
house, and the weeks, passed in visiting. ram
bling or indoor amusementS, flew rapidly by.
Social parties were given by Mrs. Randolph,
and returned by her neighborS, so that Ruth
saw much of the people of Laurens, and was
well pleased to form acquaintanceS among
them
1t was at one of these parties that Ruth first
met Edgar Winthrop, bachelor of twenty
eight, with a good share Of personal attrac-
tionS, and possessing moderate fortune. lie
was a native of LaurenS, and had spent the
years of his majority abroad sometimes ira
Yelling in the capacity of agent for some finn
in an eastern city, but more frequently intent
on the qualification Of his own unhalIowed pas
SiOnS He had mingled much in society, was
yersed in the art of saying foolish nothings TO
the vain and foolish fair ores and with equal
ease could he win the attention of, and inter
est, the wise and virtuouS. Ii was, in short,
a polished riHian. He had returned TO his ma
tive village for the purpose he said, of visiting
an aged grand-parent and maiden aunt, who
resided there, and to look once more upon the
graves Of his parents but those who knew
him best, believed it was rather to seek fresh
pleasures, and carry on new firtations, that lie
came
Ruth in her youth and innocence, attracted
the attention of the heartess Edgar, and inl-
medlately an introduction was sought ald gain
ed. Rides aud promenades succeeded in all
of which Edgar and Ruth joined, and in every
instance Edgar appeared as Ruth's attendant
Life began to wear a new aspect to the gentle
girl All her life accustomed to give and re-
ceve sincerity in word and deed, the thought
of deceit never entered her pure mine, and with
oy which only the pnre and good may know,
she believed herself beloved, aud yielded in re-
turn the true and holy affection of her gujeless
heart Aud he to whom she gave her young
hearts affection, was all unworthy of the price
less treasure
Al the time of leaving home. Ruth believed
it would be impossible for her TO remain the
time which her aunt had named, but in the
enjoyment of her new-found happiness, she
took but little note of time, and was much sur
priSed to receive letter from home, expressing
a wish for her return. In the early part of
April, Ruth returned to her parents.
Edgar had left for the West two weeks pre-
vious and when, az parting, Mrs. Randolph
witnessed the agitation of her niece, q suspi-
cion OF the truth crossed her mind, but as Ruth
had never mentioned her attachment to her.