Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-18
Ruth's Legacy.

When Rodney Craig came home from the
army with an empty sleeve, some people
wondered if Ruth Gerrish would marry him.
man with one arm gone, and that his
right one, they argued, was only part of a
man. and Ruth was a girl who could have
her choice among the young men Of her ac-
quaintance; therefore-and what conclu-
sions these persons arrived at you know
well enough, | am sure, for you have seen
these very persons. They live in every
neighborhood.
But those who knew Ruth best never
doubted what she would do for moment.
"Of course she'll marry him. they said.
She wouldn't let the loss of an arm keep
her from doing as she promised. She loves
him, and that settles the question"
hen Craig told her that he would give
her back her promise, she came and stood
before him, and looking straight into his,
with her earnest eyes, she said:
"Do you love me, Rodney? ?"
"God knows | do, Ruth" he answered,
and then she put her hand in his and made
reply
"Then never mention this matter again.
told you | would be your wife, God willing !;
and if we love each other | see no reason
why we should not do as we intended.
would marry you, Rodney, if there was
enough left of you to hold your heart"
After that he never spoke of breaking the
engagement; but he would not consent to
be burden upon her, and it was agreed
that the marriage be postponed until he Sc
cured some employment. He had made ap
plication for clerkship under the govern
ment, but it began to seem as if it were
modern case of Jarndyce Us. Jarndyce. Once
In awhile he got a letter from the department
at Washington, saying that it was quite
probable that he would secure the position !;
the matter had been referred to such bureau,
or was now under consideration by such an
official, etc. And so the weeks heightened
into months, and he waited and hoped and
heard nothing definite and the time when
he would be in position to marry Ruth
seemed very far Off She would have mar.
ried him next day if he had been willing.
She would have been glad to work for him,
because she loved him, and work for those
we love is always pleasant. But he was too
proud to consent to anything of that sort,
as have said.
Martha Fielding. Aunt Martha lived in a
thriving little village among the Berkshire
hills, and all that Ruth could remember
"'O"V hui was oIe AWAY uiduc uci tuiuh VI
some of the old mountains to be seen from
her windows, because she was so grim in
aspect and seemed so interchangeable in all
her ways. There had been some family
trouble, and Aunt Martha bad but very lit
tie to do with any of her relatives. There
fore it is not to be wondered at that Ruth
and her mother We're surprised when this
letter came, asking Ruth to come up and
stop with her for a month that summer.
"Shall go ?" asked Ruth.
~ think you had BETTER" answered her
mother. She must be lonely there. Poor
thing she's had good deal of trouble, off
aud on, but she's made the most of it her
self. But | suppose she couldn't help it
it was her disposition"
:" can't see what she wants me to come
for" said Ruth. 81 haven't seen her since
| was a little bit of a girl. | wonder she
didn't send for one of Aunt Lucys girls"
She's got some plan in her head" said
Mrs. Gerrish g she always has when she
| invites any of her relatives to visit her
Yes, Ruth think you'd better go, and do
all you can to make it pleasant for her.
So Ruth went. Aunt Martha welcomed
her in her usual grim fashion. Her kiss
made Ruth think of one of the old noun
tains departing from its usual dignity and
saluting one of the hills.
Ruth wasn't long in finding out what
Aunt Martha had invited her to visit heI
| for. One of her nephews was coming nex
week-her favorite nephew, she told Ruth
and the one to whom all her property woulC
| 90 when she was done with it, and she go
the idea into her head that he ought to MARI,
Ruth.
al always liked you,' she said, in one o
her confidential moods. "Now, when Lucy
girls were up here, | was completely dis
gusted with 'em. All they thought of wa
dress and parties. They were willing Il
see their mother slave herself half to dealt
for 'em, and they wouldn't lift finger +
help her. But I've heard about you, and
know you're good girl and know Johnl
like you. He's sensible, and hope you are.
When Ruth saw how determined she wa
to make match between her and this ex
pected nephew, she thought it time to tel
her how matters stood.
AUNT Martha" she said, with a littl
frightened catch of her breath, for she wa
afraid the old lady would be mortally OF
Tended at the failure of her plans, " I'm en-
gagged TO be married" And then, the wors
being over, she went on aud told her a
about it, and succeeded in making her love
into great hero, in her own estimation,
not in Aunt Martha's.
"And so you're going to marry ma
with one arm and as poor as poverty, ar
you 2" said the old lady, grimly.
"Yes, if nothing happens to prevent it,
answered Ruth, bravely. ave love eac
other, and we'll get along some way ; an
loves better than all the wealth in th
world, think, and so does Rodney"
" Humph - said Aunt Martha aud ther
the matter dropped.
Nephew John came, and he and Rut
were good friends at once but neither O
them ever dreamed of loving each othel
One day Aunt Martha hinted her pla
to him. and then had long talk wit
Ruth, which hadn't the least effect towar
changing her mind
IL have promised to marry Rodney" sal
Ruth firmly. shall keep my promise. Nc
all the wealth in the world would tempt m
to break my promise to him, because | Low
him."
That afternoon, when she aud John wer
together, he told her what Aunt Martha ha
said in the morning, and then they had
good laugh over the old lady's plans, and be
fore the interview was ended he showed he
the picture of his girl" and Ruth told hin
all about Rodney.
Its almost too bad to disappoint her so,
he said laughingly. But don't feel quit
willing to give up my own plans for hers
and see you don't, so we don't seem to b
able to crafty her by carrying out her pc
project"
81 think not" answered Ruth. 81 lik
you pretty well, John, but | like Rodne,