The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-12-03
An Unhappy Little Girl.

The sight, 1 mean, that little Ruth saw,
as she came creeping across the forest glades,
with her brown hood tied closely down un-
der her chin, and her fathers supper. in
tin pail, hanging on her arm.
The moon was at the full, shining directly
down into the dell, where the grass grew so
fine and soft and thick, with ferns fringng its
sides. and a little brook gurglIng along be-
low. But that WASH, all. Little Ruth often
saw the moon at the full and the ferns, and
often heard the song of the ever-busy brook.
Tonight however, THE lower boughs of the
trees were hung full of bright-colored Chinese
lanterns, blue, and gold and crimson and
pale vivid green-a band of music was play
ing at the further end of the glade, and
twenty or thirty beautiful children, dressed
like fairies, in spangled tarlatan dresses,
white silk boots, and artificial wings of softly
colored gauze, stretched over frames of silver
wire, attached to their shoulders, were dane
ing on the grass, while number of gentle
men and ladies stood by and watched their
swift and graceful movements.
1t was Josepha Knights birthnight party;
Josepha Knight, who lived in the big white
house on the hill, and rode in carriage, with
two Jet black horses, half-covered with silver
harness. and had more toys than ever Ruth
had ever dreamed Of Ruth and the other
little girls of the region had heard that there
were to be grand doings on this occasion, but
they did not know that the little guests were
to be dressed up like elves, and to dance to
the music of the band in the lovely spot
called "Fairy DELI
Ruth set down her fathers tin dinner-pail,
and watched them from behind the clustering
leaves of huge grapevine, which grew like
green screen on the edge OF the opening.
Generally speaking, Ruth was a contented
little girl, but she felt thrill of envy go
through her, as she felt how far she was re-
moved from all these splendors. Why was
it, she asked herself, that she must go in
sober brown calico, with thick boots on Sun
day, and none at all in the working days of
the week, while Josepha Knight was dressed
in white lace and spangles, with white silk
boots, and little blue ear-drops sparkling in
in her ear? Why must she trudge over the
dreary mountain path, carrying her fathers
dinner-pail, while -Josepha danced to the
music of band? Ruth sighed deeply as
she asked herself the questions. Generally
she was very happy, contented little girl,
but tonight, for the first time, she felt that
she was very miserable.
One of the little white-robed human fairies
CHANGED to drop her glittering scepter almost
at Ruth's feet-she ran out of the ring to
catch it up, and as she did so, caught sight of
the small, pale, envious face regarding her
through the screen of grape-leaves.
"Oh, look, girls, lookl" she cried; here's
strange little girl! Let's make her come in
and have some ice-cFeam and cake"
But Ruth had caught up her tin pail and
scudded away, like frightened d hare, into the
| fragrant darkness of the night-Woods before
| they could capture her. And she never
stopped to catch breath until she was clear
| up on the heights, where the huckleberry
| bushes and sweet fern grew in green scrubby
patches, and the old white tree-stump, that
was SO like bear on its hind-legs, reached
out its skeleton claws.
Her father was charcoal burner, who, du-
ring good portion of the year, occupied a
| solitary hut on the mountain, and watched
his coal-pits with unwavering care. Nobody
| came to see him, except now and then, a
solitary hunter, who had lost his way, and
| was forced to camp out over night in the little
| hovel, , or the specialized little college pro-
| fessor of the neighboring city, who came bot
anizing now and then among the rocks, and
told Ruth's father wonderful stories of the
beautiful plants which grew almost under the
SHOWS of the Alpine heights. He had his
| own provisions up there with gridiron,
upon which he fried slices of ham
| and salt fish, and store of
sweet potatoes, which he roast
| ed in the ashes on rainy days. But when it
was clear and pleasant, Ruth brought the
tin pail of nicely cooked food every night
from home, choosing that particular time
| because it was cooler and because she went
| to school of daytime. She knew the
mountain path well, and could make her
| way safe through the thickest darkness,
guided by the red beacon of the solitary
lamp which the charcoal-burner kept in the
window of his hut.
"Well, little one," said he, with a smile
as the child came slowly up the path.
"Pve brought your supper, papa,' said
she.
ssrm all ready for it." said the charcoal
burner. 'But.ermilk biscuit, eh? And cold
fried chicken? and a damson tart? and two
baked apples rolled in sugar? and bottle Of
tea that's warm yet? Sit down, my girl
sit down, while / eat it."
Ruth sat down, but her little face was
very sober: =, ..,,,. 80 - :.
poor?"
"Poor, lasse?" he repeated. 'We are moi
poor"
"Oh, yes, papa, we are, compared
with Josepha Knights father" cried Ruth
"Ohl" said the charcoal-burncr. $50 il
Mr.. knight, 1 suppose, as compared with
the president of the United States"
ssBut, papa, wish we were rich"
"I don't said her father, cheerfully. "Witf
my wife and my children, and good health tC
work for 'em, feel myself as rich as any
man going. What-crying, little one
Well, wonder what is the matter now?"
The big tears rolled down from Ruthi
eyes, and dropped, one by one, from the poin
of her nose. -
"I-pm very unhappy, papa" said she
"Unhappyr" he echoed.
81 wish l could wear white dress will
white boots-and ride in carriage, lik,
Josepha Knight" complained Ruth.
"Come, child, that's nonsense" said tn
charcoal burner. "We're as well off. as w
/ can expect to be"
.. II don't think we're well off at all" sale
Ruth.
1--WE must be grateful to God for the goo'