Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-01-03
StIttt storp.
RUTHS RESOLVE.
A Charming Story.

ABOUT seventy miles from winchester
New York.
1t was midnight when the villagers
were startled by that cry, and by the
ringing Of the bell.
A broad fash of light was seen. Many
people rushed to their windows, to see
the house of William Graham, a young
lawyer, in flames.
The lawyer had an old, nearly bed
ridden mother, whom he supported by
hard toll. Therefore everybody was
anxious to get to the burning house to
see if the old lady was safe.
As she had been known to be q very
kind old lady. people took more than
unusual interest in the matter.
Even old women, who could but just
totter along. were soon assembled near
the ecene of confagtation.
There was now a report that William
Graham, who had not been seen since
the fire, was absent this night. and con-
sequently that his old mother was alone
in the burning building.
There was an exciting buzz Of voices.
The FIRE had, unfortunately, not been
discovered until the whole building was
wrapped in flames, SO that there was no
way Of entering the house.
Many persons called upon the old lady.
hoping to see her make her appearance
at some one of the windows. ,t.
A man had gene for a long ladder,
and was even now on his way back
with it. ...s
Meanwhile there were the flames roar
ing and craekling-mounting higher and
higher every moment, the red, horrid tor
rent now streaming over the upper wind
ows
Suddenly feeble moan was heard
There sure enough, was the old lady
at one of the windows, her withered
hands uplifted, her sad voice heard moan
ing above the roaring of the sea of fire.
"Heaven help her!" cried one woman.
Men-men, why do you stand? Why
don't you 60 up and help that poor
wretch p
The ladder had been brought, but
most Of the men shrunk back, afraid to
venttire.
Two or three, however, went up lit
tie ways, but soon returned, driven back
by the flames.
Great Heaven-ehe must perish, 4"
cried several.
In fact it seemed as if such would be
the case.
"Open the window and jump out, we
will catch you !" exclaimed one sapient
below, who had dragged a feather bed to
the spot.
He had forgotten that the poor woman
was cripple, and could not. to save her
life. have even opened that window sash.
Soon along came pretty young wo-
man, whom everybody recognized as
Ruth Howell, to whom William Graham
had once paid attention, but whom he
had subsequently left for dark-eyed
belle-a gay, giddy creature with more
beauty than good sshse.
The dark.eyed belle, Mary Brown,
was there, on this night, among the rest,
watching the FIRE.
"If / was a man." said she, Il would
try to rescue that old woman even if l
didn't succeed. She has only few
years to live it's true, but then she might
as we'll be saved" .r,.......
Meanwhile Ruth Howell having ar
rived at the foot of the ladder, looking
up at the old woman.
Her gentle face beamed with the ut
most pity and concern.
"Men," she said. pale yet firm, "can
you get me rope ! l will cave this poor
woman"
"No-no!' exclaimed the men, stimuli
taneously.
"It is madness to attempt it, said one.
Otherwise we would go" ...r
Still Ruth would not be moved from
her purpose. She had gone little into
company since William Graham's deser
ton of her, and many eyes were now
turned curiously upon her rale, worn
face.
Hard hearted people had said she was a
good for nothing milk and water creature,
for taking Williams desertion so much
at heart-that she had no spunk, &C.,
&c but now Ruth showed that there
was true woman's nature, infred with
strength and determination at the time
when it was necessary to help a fellow
creature. -
She looked up once more at Mrs.
Graham's face; then rolling blanket
around her person, up she went, mounting
the ladder. with feet footsteps. needless
of the flames that careered around her.
Soon she was directly under the
scorching blaze, when she opened the
window and helping Mrs. Graham out,
was assured by man {her brother). who