Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-01

were blessed, and the little bank-fund was
increased by the price Of the farm produce
Ruth grew very quiet and subdued. She
was not sad, having always CHEEKY word
and pleasant smile for me ; but the pretty
rose tint left her round cheeks, and | no
longer heard her singing at her work.
When | read the best passages in my books
to her, would see her eyes fixed dreamily
on some far-sway thought, her work lying
idle, till she woke with a start at my fret
ful questions.
For grew fretful aud trying in those
days wanted her to give up woman's
dearest hopes and sweetest affections, and
be the same sunshiny Ruth she was before
my hands tore away her love-dreams. l
wanted her to put away all the loving
tender ties OF wliehood and motherhood,
and pass her life in devotion at the arm
chair Of a paralyzed old man. And when
she complied, with gentle, touching sub
mission, then wanted her to be the bright,
happy girl who had resigned nothing, and
who could nurse sweet, girlish fancies, with
John for a hero. An unreasonable old
tyrant, wasn't II
The winter came in carly that year, and
before Christmas everything was frozen up
tight, and the cold was intense. We piled
up coal in the stoves, listed doors and win
dows-that is, Ruth did the work, and /
enjoyed the result; but there came one cold
day--one Friday--when it seemed no Goals,
no listing, could conquer the cold. Children
froze on their way to school that day, aud
were found, stiff aud stark, leaning against
the fences Food froze on the tables
Ask anybody in Maine if they remember
that black Friday, and see if some mothers
eyes will not Gil as they think Of the little
scarlet-hooded figures brought to their doors,
white and rigid, that had lifted rosy, round
cheeks for kiss only few short hours
before.
On this cold Friday, Ruth hurried through
her work in the morning, making my room
the warmcst place in the house. covering my
arm chair with soft wooens, and moving it
near the stove. would have it face the
window, for my glimpse Of outdoor life was
too precious to resign but | was not, as
usual, near it, for Ruth said there might be
q draught
When all was done indoors, saw, from
my chair, Ruth, with a scarlet cloak and
hood thrown over her, going to the well
with an empty bucket. She stepped along
quickly over the hard, frozen ground and
was admiring the trim little feet and the
dainty figure, when | saw her slide to the
two steps that were above the well walls
aud fall. She had slipped, and she lay
doubled up between the two wooden steps
and the rough sides of the well, as if she
: could not rise. Two or three times her
hands clutched the lower step, and she
raised herself halfway up, only to fall back
again, as if her limbs would not support her
And | could only look on, powerless ia
move to aid her. O, the agony of it, Tt
know that she was hurt, unable to rise, and
as helpless as a log. | screamed ant
called for help. Silas was somewhere
. could not tell where-and called loudly
for him. could see, after q time, tba
: Ruth, after her frantic struggles, was grow
ing drowsy with the death.sleep Of cold
The scarlet hood dropped more and more
till it rested against the well-side, and tn,
blue-vened lids closed over her eyes. Tn,
sight called from me such cry Of agony a,
| thought must be heard for miles.
7 1t was heard. A moment later JohI
Hayes, painting and eager-eyed, burst oper
. my door.
"What is it," he cried. 81 heard yor
calling on the road"
Ruth Ruth" | screamed. "She il
freezing to death by the we'll"
He stopped to hear no more. Out upon
the hard, slippery ground down the steps
, with swift, rapid strides, and then | saw
, him stoop and lift the little scarlet-cloaked
I figure in his strong arms, and come swiftly
back, bending his face down over the sense
5 less one in his arms, while hot tears rained
3 down his brown cheeks. He put her on q
lounge near my chair, and then dashed ou
Q for snow.
Rub her, rub herr" he said. 81 an
going for doctor and for my mother"
T Before it seemed possible he could hav,
! crossed the lots to bis home, his mother
e was with me, and lifted Ruth away frou
the fire to the bed. The doctor came, anC
I the two worked till my heart sank will
j utter hopelessness before the blue eye
e opened again, or the breath futteret
j through the pale lips.
b But it did at last, and j ohm joined me il
d fervent THANK Godw
But Ruth had broken her leg, and w
o knew she must lie helpless for many week
e before she could be our own active, brigh
e girl again 1t was an appalling truth TO
Il me TO face. but she was not dead. not lyinl