The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-12-06
RUTH vANE's vAcAsoNp
BY MARY HAINES.


food? Look down the meadows there,
yellow grass waving and swaying in the
wind! See the orchard all bright with
lruit, and the glorious tints OF the for
estl
"Do you see the sky so clear and blue.
chickies, with teathery floating clouds
Oh, wouldn't we be happy, little peep
ers, a sailing way up there, with all the
world belowl ...... ,-.. .,.......
"Dear little puff-baIl, with your black
yes and pink beak, all cuddled up IN
my two hands, you look just sweet
enough to kiss, and pure enough to live
in yon sky l-yet you are the greatest
little gourmand that ever ! did know.
You'd eat me out of dish and pocket; it's
all you're good for-all you know. And
great, old, ciucking hen, like your moth
er; and-oh, excuse me, sir; what did
you wish? My aunt? she's not at home,
aud uncle is in the field"
A rOugh-looking man, clothes dirty,
slouch hat, and disorderly hair, who
blushed, cast down his eyes, and con-
fusedIy said: :..r ,
Il called-that is, 1 am hungry-would
like something to eat"
"Very well, sir"
But now sweet Ruthie Vane's lips
curled in scorn, and her bright eyes gave
flash OF contempt.
My aunt never turns those who ask
| food from her door,"
Pie, doughnuts, cold meat, bread and
apples.
"Pve brought you something, sir, and
l would like to roll soma advice in."
"Thank you, IL"
eyes, understand; we have many
such. During the last three weeks at
least ten healthy men have called. Great
healthy men, with strong arms, and two
good hands, like yours, Sir"
"Yes, but"
| 81 know, out of work. When the
corntields are groaning under their
weight. There is plenty to do for those
who wish the doing, sir" ..
| "Welp-and the nat went lower. Oh,
ii Ruthie could have seen the black
eyes sparkling beneath! !-''Pye a wife
and six small children, miss, all de-
| pendent on me-"
"Then why do you wander around the
country, begging your Ilyingp
| "Why, Pm looking rouud i'll hopes of a
job" .............n
"Very well, it is still early morning.
| My uncle has pile of wood out there,
and all are so busy in the fields that no
| one Can spare time to cut it. There is a
| good ak In the woodshed, and il you
work well until dinner-time, you may
feel that you have earned tnat and fair
pay in money beside"
With little disdaintul smile she
leaned against the doorpost, ana waited
to see HIM shuttle out Of the gate; but
something in the girPs brave eyes,
scornlul though they were, touched a
bit OF spirit beneath the rough coat, and,
with yawn, he walked lazlly out to the
woodplle-the great moss-gr0wn lichen.
covered logs, that lay moldering in the
sunshine thinking. Did they think of
tue time when they would sparkle and
glow in the great stove, warming cold
toes, thawing frosty fingers, running the
lace curtains, woven and hung by icy
hands over the windows? Did they
think Of the time when they would laugh
ana crackle, and snap out great red
Goals, and finally leaving only dead gray
ashes behind, creep off in smoke, curl
ing, dancing, soaring away to join the
white clouds floating in the blue sky?
At least they lay very passive, very
thoughtful, until a great hand pulled
them apart; and then they made the
farm ring with their SHOUTS, as the keen
AK Glove their rough bark, and smote
with swift strokes the smooth white
wood asunder. And the old trees in the
woods, hearing, moaned, shuddered and
rustled their dying leaves. Yet sUill the
smoke laughed and danced, as it crept
out from the old red chimney, and van.
ishl d in the blue air-the souls of the
wood, the souls OF the trees, freed at
Iastl
And at every stroke a girls heart
smote her. Not for the logs giving voice
to outraged feeling, but The tender heart
4 beat for the poor human being VINO gave
! the blows.
'Perhaps he is sick! How unkind
and thoughtless l was. l wish auntie
was here"
| And from drumming on the window
chirpng TO her bird, plucking sweet
monthly rose, she wandered out to the
woodplle, ana seating herself ON log
began an investigation.
| you've wife and six childrenp
"Yes marm. six children, and the old.
est of 'em only eight. Three twins al
thatW
"Well, it is pretty hard. Couldn't you
work to support them"
mo marm, my limbs is so stiff with
the rheumatic tnat can't move pes.'j
And seating himself also on log, he
viewed his toes sympathetically, with
hat drawn over brow.
"And so you lett them?"
"Yes, marin, left the old woman to
take care Of them, and travelled along.''
Il don't think that was right at all ;"
said Ruthie, decidedly. 81 think you
should nave stayed by your family. Ii
you get work, shall you send the money
nomer
20 yes, indeed" with alacrity; "why,
the oldest girls going 10 get married
| come next Christmas, and not even a
| bit of ribbon TO tie up her hair with
blue is becoming to ner, too," eyeing the
ribbon that neld back Ruthie's b0nny
brown hair. .- .-..... .. ......l
80, she shall have this, if you lke,"
said she, catching the look.
"rhank you, thank youw cried he,
stutfing it away beuind the breast of his
old coat. YOU'RE an angel upon arth
| Your aunps daughter"
"Ob, no; l ain only my aunt's niece
here on visit, you know. DON'T you
really have enough TO eat sometimesW
Often go Two weeks without NOR
sci of nothin' in the house. My old
woman she got that hungry thatshe just
soused the boojack in oncel Had to
! boil it in Kerosene oil, loo. On, 'twasu't
such bad eating, miss, but how could
pull off my bran new boots when il
came nighls On, we've come TO that
strait, miss, as we've fried our table,
roa,t ted the chairs, and made a chicken