Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-08-14
KITTY WARDS RESOLVE.

For two years Kitty Ward had
been earnestly striving to be good.
She desired beyond all thing, to be
pure in heart, true in motive, single
in purpose. But the result did not
satisfy her. To her very great NOR
tifcation, she was forced to see that
the real obstacle was self-love. The
issue of this was the following in
sertion in her diary:
"Resolved, With the help of heaven
I will seek to do good where and in
what degree l can, without any
thought or hope of reward or return
in any way"
Here pleasant voice from an ad-
Joining room called "Kitty, love!"
eyes, dear MOTHER" replied the
young girl.
Here are two invitations for you
come and get them"
Kitty opened one, which ran thus:
''DEAR PUss:-Pack up your very
prettiest dresses and bring them,
with your sweet face, over to Wood
lawn. l want to borrow you for a
month or two. Bring all your sup
plies of merry smiles, bright looks
and winning ways; for the Marceaus,
Livingstones and Lees are here. Al
so, my dear bias blue, bring all your
wisdom; for Ursa Major is coming
on the last of the month; He cares
for nothing earthly but learning, and
never open his mouth to a lady save
to growl. Perhaps l ought to ex-
plain. BY Ursa Major, | mean DIR.
Randall, the great 'savant' who, by
the way, is likewise a great par tt.
| will send the carriage to the station
for you. Good by dearie.
Cousin ALICE.
The second note from a good old
Quaker aunt of her fathers, was in a
different strain:
"MY DEAR CATHARINE:-W Ill
thee come and stay with thy old aunt
for few weeks? am sorely atflict-
ell with rheumatism and quite help
less. | long for thy bright face and
cheerful voice. If thee will come
thee will be doing great kindness
to thy atfectionate AUNT RUTH"
Kitty was thoughtful for some
time.
Smother what shall | do?" she
asked anxiously.
"What do you wish, my child?'
inquired Mrs. Ward
DO you think that cousin Sarah
would 90 to Aunt Ruth?" Kitty said
after pause.
"Very likely replied the mother
ooh, MOTHER" exclaimed Kitty.
very eagerly, 81 should like so much
to 90 to Woodlawn! 1t is so de
lightful there. The company is al
ways refined, intelligent and enter
tanning. And DR.. Randell is to be
there; he has been abroad for years
engaged in scientific researches con
nected with his profession. lle
knows everything.
Mrs. Ward saw very well the
struggle which her daughter was un
dergoing, but she only said, "decids
for yourself, my dear,' and left her
Kitty ran up stairs, fully determin
ed to 90 to Woodlawn; but the frs
object that met her gaze was hel
dairy and-the resolution.
Then commenced sharp conflict
The many and varied delights o
Woodlawn passed before her-th'
rides, excursions, the boating parties
the tetes of all kinds-and the ele
gance and refinement Of its sur
roundings; and in strong contras
was patient, suffering Aunt Ruth, il
her quiet little home, widowed ane
childlcss for years, with no company
and nothing cheerful.
"Well, now, there is a chance t,
act upon my new resolution"
TO avoid further temptation, Kit,
wrote letter full of regrets to Cous
in Alice, and one of acceptance t.
Aunt Ruth.
Aunt Ruth took off her spectacle
and wiped her eyes when she rea'
Kitty's note, and said, "thc blessed
child" and then handed it to th'
physician, by her bedside. The
physician, a quiet looking gentleman
with broad, white forehead, wa
the son of dear early friend Of Aun
Ruth.
Kitty came at the appointed time
and within a week the house was ;
changed place. The doors and win
dows were opened, and the swee
air and bright sunshine let in. Bo
quets were scattered here and there
freshly arranged each day. The rig
id arrangement of the furniture wa
broken. Aunt Ruth's old piano wa
tuned, and drawn up near the doc
of her room, that Kitty might sins
to her. Aunt Ruth's good old hear
was greatly rejoiced by all thi
change, and the doctor wondered
greatly. He saw the effect, ant
knew Kitty to be the cause; but tn
means were to him mystery. From
day to day he wondered what chang
such bright spirit would make il
his grand and somber old place :
mile or two distant.
Nothing could exceed Kitty
amazement when she found tina
Aunt Ruth's friend, of whom sh'
had written so often and talked ss
much, was the great doctor. She die
not talk much in his presence, for sh'
stood in real awe Of him; but he
Joy was unspeakablc in listening &
his conversation with Aunt Ruth
His vast knowledge, his varied ex
perience, his noble ideas, were won
derful to her, and she congratulate.
herself that she knew him so mucl
/ Z I 4