Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-02-12
stIsfttD Storp.
Summer Boarders.


| wears our senior. one was q DISK
cherry body, one in whom the Yankee
gift, faculty" was largely develop.
ed. Her face showed knowledge OF
evil rs well as good, but it was the
look of pure, strong spirit. that had
the evil under subjection; often sorely
tempted, it NAV be, but conquered
never. Ruth was one of those vino
keep their Sunday dress nature for
mere acquaintances, and let their near
est friends have the souls deshdbaie
she always made the best of every
thing, turning TO the world the bright
side of her life, even as the market
woman puts the fairest part Of her
fruit uppermost.
During our fathers lifetime. he had
done a small business as commission
merchant, sending butter and cheese
TO New York City for the farmers in
our little town Of Berkeley. BY great
economy he had secured comfortable
home; but when Laura and l were on
ly year old, he died suddenly of
heart disease, leaving 4 delicate wife
with three children 10 support A
short time previous to his death he had
taken the precaution 10 have his life
insured but this slender income hard
y suiiiced for our wants, and since my
earliest recollection life with us has
been rather 4 pinchcd, frost-btten af-
fair.
When Laura and l were thirteen,
Ruth married her old playmate George
Ames. He was about as poor as her
self, 'but rich" as he .aughingly said,
''in the chief elements of success-a
pair of strong hands and disposition
TO work." The young couple hired a
small farm not far from Berklev. and
for few years were happy and pros
porous.
Then came the Great Rebellion.
George was anxious 10 volunteer. and
his wife's brave heart would not hinder.
him. He disposed of his stock and
lease of the farm, and Ruth came home
to US. We all know the sad story OF
the Union repulsc at Big Bethel. Ruth
never saw her husband alive again.
She remained with us and faithfully
shared with her stepiuothcr all heavy
burdens.
Mothers health, always feeble, now
began " fail. Before the war ended,
she too, left us, and at the time my
story opens we three sisters were liv.
ing alone together.
was very unlike my twin sister
She was tall, strong. and self reliant
| was slender, pale and timid. When
little child, had received an injury
in my right foot from 4 push by u
rough boy on the school playground,
and the prospect was that | should be
lame all my life. For nearly two
years now, Laura had taught gymnas
tics in l. Seminary. and this was
the last day of her spring vacation.
April, May, June, July.-four
weary months before we see you az ain
Laura, l hate to have you 90 back t,
L. You are much too pretty fol
hard work, poor pay, and poor fare,
and looked with loving admiration a
the fresh, rosy face opposite me.
The hard work and poor fare ar,
nothing, Edna, DEAR" replied Laura
''but we ought not TO be separated
even for SO short a time. How can
this be managed: Come, Ruth, do 81,
down moment, and help US plan
What matter if those dishes are not
finished at precisely certain hour 2
Ruth laughed, and obeyed with the
resigned expression of one who could
not possibly gain anything by comply.
ing.
''Does it not seem, girls, that on
this question of work and wages oul
thoughts travel in a circle. We al
ways come back to Laura's plan OF
opening a small family boarding school,
the fayorite resort Of needy gentle
women. For my part, two years ex
perience of district school teaching ha.
cured me of all further desire TO ..trail
the young idea" would sooner tax,
in washing"
Ruth's tone was decided.
''And as for situation in Il school,
she continued, "there is a call nova
days for thoroughly trained teachert
who have made a specially of som,
particular branch. 1t is not too late
for you Laura and Edna, but my da,
has gone BY. There were plenty o
good seeds sown in my mind, but
have no good crop of any one thing
No, my talent, if l have any, is house
keeping, and this l must make pa
somehow" :" and Ruth surveyed her lit
tie, hard, brown hands, with u very de
termined expression.
slow nice TO be poor, after tn
graceful fashion OF English heroines !!
remarked Laura. irreleyantly. "The,
always have maid. If their tea i
weak and the bread and butter thin
the meal is always sent into the parlo
and served in delicate china. The
never blacken their hands peeling DC
tatoes and apples, nor blister them dc
ing the family ironing; neither hav
the dainty creatures any conceptio
of the moral courage it requires I
plunge ones arm into the brine of th
pork barrel"
you are not often called upon I
stand the latter test," said Ruth slyl,
''But l have had experience enoag
to understand that it is disagreeable
! persisted Laura.
"Gray lives are interesting only
romance" sighed l.
: "And yet" added Ruth softly, 'syo
remember Thoreau thought it possibl
for one to have many happy houl
/ even in q poor house."
~ suppose" reluctantly admitte
Laura, ''that it is weak, shallow Sol
, that grumbles at destiny and con
e plains of her lot. Better work col
scious of authority, though compelIe
TO humbly labor"
"Bat come to the matter in hand
said practical sister Ruth, 'there is 1
i denying that We are getting benin
J, hand each year. The place is runnir
1