The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-09-14

It's all very well for you, Ruth, you've
got TO spend all yourdays in toll, ,"but,sh said,
cirlng her pretty lips "but shall soon be
lifted out Of this groveling atmosphere"
1t is by no means certainty"
Yes it Isl" laughingly answered Rachel
bluhing like q damask rose.
And Ruth would sigh softly; and think
how bright the future was unrolling its vast
map before her pretty little cousin.
Rachel Durr waited rather languidly
upon one or two customers that morning
Evidently her heart was not in her work
and Mrs Wicks, from her lurking place
behind the cash box, cast several enven-
omed glances forward, premonitory of a
coming storm.
Presently a new customer hobbled in bent
and crooked, and made his way directly TO
the counter where Rachel and Ruth were
standing. A huge cotton umbrella protrud-
ed in warlike manner from Leneath his
arm, and mended cotton gloves covered his
hands while a rusty red wig was half con-
caaled by his bent and battered hat.
"Ay goodness Ruth what a figure %
e'ac lated Rachel, in very audible voice.
"What can that old bundle of secondhand
clothes want here?"
Hush' said Ruth almost sternly, "he
will hear you"
And what if he does What do care7"
He is old and infirm, Rachel, and his
age should render him sacred in your eyes"
Rachel tossed her head sneeringy.
Ruth you are too absurd for anything
l won't wait on him."
But the old man steered resolutely for
Rachel herself
al want to buy some gloves, Miss" he said,
in feeble, croaking.voice.
You'd better go somewhere else," said
the young lady, supercliously our store
dosen't keep cheap goods"
"Pease let me see the articles"
Rachel tossed box down on the counter;
the old man bent his spectacled eyes down
to survey the goods.
How much are these?"
"a dollar pair"
"But am poor man, Miss have you
nothing cheaperH"
"No" snapped Rachel " l told you to go
elsewhere, I've no patience with paupers."
al beg your pardon, Miss" said the old
man; " am not pauper."
"Well," observed the girl scornfully, "you
look like one!'
appearances are often decetful. Did
you tell me you had cheaper gloves2"
al didn't tell you any such thingl"
Rachel Rachel!" demonstrated her
cousin. " Let me show you what you want
sir" she said softly, turning to the old custo-
mer. awe have some very nice gloves at
seventylive cents"
Seventy-fve cents is a great deal ofhion-
cy to pay for pair of gloves" said the old
man looking sorrowfully down on the mend
ed fingers of those he wore, but the weather
is getting very frosty, and lam not so young
as | was"
al should think that was quite evident"
said Rachel, with heartless litter.
Ruth bent toward the old man, saying in
a low sweet voicei
"Take the warm worsted gloves, sir The
price is seventy-fve cents, but you shall
have them for rffty. myselfwill make up the
difference to the store. You are an old
gentleman, and am young and able to
work.
"But l am nothing to you, Miss"
Ruth folded the gloves neatly in piece
of paper, and handed them to him.
" For the sake of the dear father who died
year ago, old age can never be nothing, to
me, sir. Please don't thank me; indeed l
deserve no gratitude"
"And Ruth drew blushingly back, while
Rachel burst into laugh.
"Upon my word, Ruth, you are the great
est fool | ever sawl" she cried, while the old
gentleman hobbled out of the store. az
would have seen the old beggar in Jerrico
before would have given him onything2
Why doesn't he 60 TO the poor house.
The days crcpt on and ono day Mr.. Harry
Meredith astonshed little Ruth Durr very
much by asking her to be his wife,
1t was as if the gates Of Paradise had been
suddenly opened to her-the modest little
girl. secretly worshipping Harry Meredith
in her heart of hearts had never dreamed of
the possibility of such good luck being in
store for her.
That evening she told her cousin, Rachel
listened in silence. The prize had been
very near her grasp once, but somehow it
had slipped away.
think you must be mistaken, Ruth" she
said, acrnioniously. think Mr. Meredith
never would
She checked herself for at that instant
the door opened, and Harry Meredith was
announced.
Well Rachel" he said, pleasantly, ARE
you ready to congratulate me upon the sweet
little wife have WOMB
Rachel muttered one or two formal sem
fences, but she was vaery pale. Meredith
observed her with n smile.
Ruth" he said, turning with a smile,
az have something to show you"
lie put tiny parcel in her hand. She
opened It, and out fell pair Of worsted
gloves.
She looked wistrllly into his face, then
the whole tide of memory came back upon
her heart.