The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-08
Beauty VS.. Worth.

border OF wild roses and sweet FERNS stood
q square white house with bright green
blinds and wide piazza. Here John Stacey
lived since his boyhood, here he had wept
over the remains of his beloved parents,
here he had rejoiced over the birth of his
children and watched them expand and
bloom into womanhood with all q true
hearts fondness. No restless desire to 90
out into the great world to view the won-
ders of foreign lapds, or the glories of his
own ever entered his mind; his hope, his
ambition, extended only TO the limits of his
excellent farm.
In his hand he held an open letter from
the friend OF his boyhood and among the
four pages of kindly words occurred the
following passage
"You know. my dear friend when left
Gyou, SO many years ago, we made each
sother promise, which, though visionary
then, has at least chance of becoming
reality now. We said we would cause our
children to intermarry, that our friendship
msy be perpetuated forever. have never
fLrgotten it; and I think you have not. 1
have only one son, and he is all that is
pure and noble. His principles, his firm
mess, have been tested in the crueible of
temptation, and he has come out the
brighter for the ordeal. would trust
him anywhere-in prosperity and adversity.
You know me well enough to know this is
not enthusiasm or prejudice. In two
weeks from the time that this letter
reaches you lie will start for Hillsdale. II
he should chance to love one of your
daughtersI shall be thankful, for, some-
how, time has made the simple idea of our
youth the desire of my heart. OF course
you will say nothing to your daughters or
my son of our wishes. the mere existence
of which would cause dislike to grow up
between them. Such ia human nature"
"Well that's singular, unused John, as
he foldedup the letter and placed it in lis
pocket. 81 hadn't forgotten that Jim
Harris and me made that promise, but
hadn't thought of it for long time. Jim
was always true blue. I wonder what'n
come out of it. 1t is singular"
"What, papa? What are you mumblng
to yourself about?" Aud Ella Stacey, the
pet, the beauty of the family, danced into
the room, her satin cheeks red with the
bloom of health her gray eyes shining and
her rich chestnut hair falling around her
shoulders in glossy waves.
II was think n how in the world Farmer
Perry's COW could a.got out in the meadow
with her head and foot tied and not stone
of the wall knocked down." he answered,
screwing up one eye, for John was some
times humorous in his crude way.
'Pooh! you're teazipg me nowl" ex-
claimed Ella pouting. 81 don't like you a
bit"
''Don't, eh, my little gypsy" and his
great strong hands lifted her from the |
floor, and his bearded lips pressed kiss
upon her soft cheek.
"Oh, you hurt!" she cried with little
frown. ''Let me go; l want to catch my
rabbit; see him on the lawn" And she ran
out of the front door, laughing and swing
ing her summer hat.
''rm afraid that Elias spoiled" said her
father, az he walked slowly toward the
barn.
That evening after the tea-things had
been cleaned and put away, the whole
family came out and sat down on the
piazza to enjoy the delicious twilight.
John pulled contented at his pipe, while
his wife mended stockings and Ruth sat
busily sewing while Ella ran about like O
young fawn. a..-.,r5-~. -.-sp
Ruth was hemely, and she knew 1t, but
the fact did not cause her either sadness
or anger,l and I am sure that envy of her
sisters beauty never entered her mind
She had light brown hair, of shade be-
tween aaxen aud chestnut, deep hazel eyes
and rather large mouth, her nose being
s'only regular feature that she possessed.
When quiet her face was devoid of color,
but the least excitement sent glow to her
cheeks that for tba time being made her
actually pretty, and caused her mother to
often declare that Ruth was not homely,
after all"
"Were going te have a visitor in
about two weeks said John, very
abupty. e .tt& 1..rs"-4 r'Hg
His wife looked up in surprise, and Ruth
pausedin her sewingto 70 hear what would
follow. But Ella was all curiosity and i'm
patience, and asked repeatedly who it was,
and how her father knew abont it. N
tvThere. child, wait minute and I'll toll