Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-08
Il should be glad of anything, ma'am," Ruth

'Oan you take care of children e"
"Oh yes, think can; | am very fond of
;hem.n
You look as if you would be kind and gentle
with them," said the lady. "Isnppose you have
from your last place ~ <.
Poor Ruth, how her heart sank within her
and how she grew almost faint with dread.
mo ma'am, have none."
sHow is that 2" asked the lady, looking at
Ruth with surprise, as she noted the ouickened
breath, and the color come and 60. ibid you
leave Of your own choiceg
mo ma'am." ~
"You were sent away2"
ssYes."
"Where did you live2"
s.At Mrs. Mabury's, No. = street."
answered Ruth, with choking voice. feeling
much as if she were signing her own death war.
rant"
"Ah, know Mrs, Mabury slightly. It is
strange" she said, with such face. What
can have been the trouble? / am sorry you
but ought not to take any one for the children
who is not well recommended" and she turned
away.
Ruth turned, too, and as quickly as her Erem-
bling limbs, would allow, lett the office
sOh, mother, mother, twas the cry Of her torn
heart, and without thought of making any
farther effort, she bent her steps towards home.
A very lowly home it was q single room in q
tenement house; but it contained Ruth's moth
or and little brother, her oDly earthly friends-
Her mother had Heavenly Friend, whose grace
was sufficient for her utmost need, and it was
great. She had lost her husband, a comfortable,
though humble home, and had suffered from
sickness and want. But her faith had not fail
ed; and she believed that her Friend would, in
His own time and way, lead her child her
earthly support, to trust in bis care as she did
Was it thus, through such fiery trial, that her
prayers were to be answered, she thought, as
Ruth, having told her griefs, lay sobbing by her
mothers side. ''Only give her strength, and let
her love the Giver, and then, sThy viii be DONE"
"It is well we cannot see
3s What the end shall be-"
Ruth's mother had reason to bless the loving
hand which drew veil between her and the
sad future. She had prayed with heartfelt
trust, "Thy will be done," while that ''wil' was
hidden from her view, and was led gently on,
step by step, till sthe end" came. and found her
still able to breathe those words of submission.
Through long days and nights the mother her
self i'll, kept her anxious watch by the bedside
of her child, as she tossed with fever and pain,
and raved wildly of guilt, disgrace, and all the
events OF that terrible day. At last the fever
spent itself. and then came days of quiet con-
sciousness, when Ruth could listen to the soft
tones OF her mothers voice, as she told her, in
simple language, of Sav;oar's love, of his will
iDgness to receive her in her utter weakness,
when she could do nothing but commit herself
to Lin. With ciildlike faith she rested upon
him and peacefully fell asleep, where no suspi-
cion OF guilt conld assal her pure spirit, and no
sadness mingle with the joyous strains Of her
ever-swelling song.
by the way, Mis-. Mabury," Mrs. Chapman
said to her dear friend, during a morning call.
ibid you ever find out anything about the brace
let which Ruth-which you thought Ruth
stole9"
''Oh, she did not steal it, my dear. | never
was so sorry for anything in my life, as that
sent her away. The very next time | wore my
Magenta MORE antique-you know wore that
to Mrs. Clark's soiree-I found the bracelet in
the pocket | remembered nothing abous it.
but suppose it became unclasped in dance,
and hurriedly took it off,"
THE poor girl came to my house after she
left here, and begged me to take her into my
employ"
'sDid she tell you why she lefts'' asked Mrs.
Mabury quickly.
''Yes she told me the whole story; but Of
stances. Is she with you now 2"
mo; the fact is, had been so positive as to
her guilt, while Walter believed her innocent,
that could not acknowledge was so much 10
the wrong. In truth, have not told him yet that
found the bracelet; | suppose shall some day,
but may as well give him time to forget how
earnestly he pleaded the poor things CAUSE
Don't you think so, my dear?, she asked with
forced laugh.
'Oh, yes" Mrs. Chapman answered absently,
rising to rake her leave. With sincere regret
tor her selfshness and indifference, and deter.
mined to make all the reparaton in her power,
Mrs Chapman went at once 10 what had been
Ruth's home. Her feelings may be better i'm
agined than described, when she found--not
Ruth in need of her tardy kindness--but a
mourning mother and brother She listened
with an aching heart to the account OF RuIh's
sickness and death, and beheld with something
like awe, the holy resignation so apparent in the
stricken mothers looks and words, as she talked
Of her child. Humbly asking permission I'd Wis
it her again, and to supply her with comforts
while she was sick, once more Mrs. Chapman
drove to Mrs. Mabury's house; and interrupting
her friends lively expressions of surprise at see
ing her again so soon, and regardless of Mr.. Ma
bury's presence, she said, Il have been to see
Ruth, but was too late-she is dead !"
"Oh, mol you cannot mean it )" and Mrs. Ma
bury sank pale, and nearly faintiDg, into the
chair.
"When did the poor girl die ?" asked Mr.. Ma
bury, and Mrs. Chapman described in 81 few words
her visit to Ruth's mother.
''Walter, want to speak to you-you will de-
spise me, but must tell you all !" and Mrs. Ma
bury, iE falterng tones, and with many tear
told of her harshness, her concealment, and her
cruel neglect to repair the wrong she had done.
At first her husband felt only fierce dispeasures,
and his wite's anguish was too great for him to
add to it, by one word of blame, though he
could say nothing to alleviate it. Mrs. Chap
man had quietly withdrawn, and we need only
add that the two friends never forgot the severe
lesson taught them by the illness and death of
the unoffonding Ruth.
FIRST BABIEs.-A somewhat extended obser-
walton, and q solitary experience, have convinced
US that first babies have hard time. Parents
must have two or three children before they
know what baby is-know how to treat it
The poor little fellows that have the
misfortune to come along first, have to educate
parents to their task, and in the process thew
get spanked, and shaken and abused. After a
man has three or four children, he learns shat
whipping or striking child less than two years