Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-02-13
VOL. sc. NO. 40.
RUTH.


to close, and the broad, green prairie
takes on richer hue as it is illumina.
ted by the slanting rays of the setting
sun. A party of emigrants have Just
encamped for the night. Transfers
are leading their tired horses to the
stream near by; busy men and bows
are busting about, some laughing and
Joking, as if life were all enjoyment,
others frowning and surly; a number
OF children are running and PLAYING
noisily, glad to escape even for a short
time from the wagons, and relieve
their long pent activity by the mad
dest OF frolics; few weary.looking
women are gathered near the fires,
preparing the evening meal. A tall
man, intelligent and kindly looking,
despite his rough clothes and un-
shaven face, approaches one Of the
white.c covered wagons with a pitcher
OF water from pure, cold spring near
the camp. A bright-faced, healthy
appearing girl of fifteen, with short
brown hair and keen black eyes,
sprang lightly to the ground and ran
to meet him.
How nice and clear the water looks!
hope it is as cold as ice. Poor
mother has been moaning for drink
ever since we stopped
The man fastened his steps, and
soon the sick woman was refreshed
by long draught.
Not too much, DEAR said the man.
tenderly, as he took the cup from the
feverish hand. Then pouring some
OF the water into tin basin, he took
towel from small box, and gently
bathed the w;fe's face and hands.
leaving cool, wet cloth on the ach.
ing head. Then bidding the girl now
returned, change it often, he went
away to make some preparation for
sapper.
A small head was thrust inside the
wagon, and sweet voice said: How
is mother, Ruthie p
The sick woman opened her ewes
with faint smile.
Come in. Kitty said the older girl.
The child was soon bending over
the mother, kissing her fondly, while
she chatted in merry though subdu-
ed voice. Kitty's face was in strong
contrast with her sisters, with ewes
blue and deep like the summer sky.
and pale, delicate features, framed by
the soft, pretty hair falling low upon
the fair neck in light, golden curls, |
now rumpled and tossed by the wind.
Three other children completed the |
family. Tom, sturdy lad of twelve
a rosy faced, mischievous little urchin |
called Don and year-old baby, who
now woke with feeble wall.
Ruth took the little one in her arms |
and endeavored to quiet it.
Presently the father reappeared
with tea and crackers for the invalid
and after watching the poor woman
vainly try to eat it, he took the babe,
and babe the girls 60 find Mrs. James,
who would give them supper.
The sun had not long passed the
meridian the next day, when the par.
ty found their journey ended. A few
OF the men had come from their East
ern home the year before to spy out
the land, aud had opened small farms,
and built on them the smallest of
houses, while the greater number, in.
Guiding our friends the Westons, were
here for the first time. Mrs. Weston,
always feeble, delicate woman, was
unable to endure the fatigue of the
long journey, and was entirely pros
trated the last week.
Mr.. Weston saw at once that it
would not do for his wife to be taken
into one of the little cabins, whose
one room must be kitchen as we'll as
dining and sleeping room, and deter
mined to live in his wagons until he
could get house built. The kind
hearted men offered to assist, although
each was anxious to obtain a more
comfortable shelter for his own family.
a sod-house was accordingly COM
menced the next morning on the
homestead entered by Mr.. Weston,
and willing hands FASTENED its com.
pletion. Breaking teams were set to
work, the long strips of overturned
sod, fourteen inches wide, were cut
into pieces about four feet long, and |
piled one on another to form the four
walls. The roof was made of rough
boards laid as closely together as pos
sible, and covered with the material
composing the sides. A sod.house is
not very pleasing to the eye, with its
dark, earth .colored walls; but our
friends thought little of that. The
one object that then possessed their
minds was to provide comfortable
shelter for the poor sufferer.
The one door opened into large
room that was to serve as kitchen
and q living-room. A rough board
partition made two rather small bed. |
rooms in one side, and the few articles
of furniture brought from the old
home were supplemented by tables
and benches made by Mr.. Westons
own hands.
Mrs. Weston was carried from the |
wagon to the new house, only to be
carried out again in few days to fill !
the first grave in the beautiful valley,
leaving husband and children with
hearts almost breaking with anguish. |
For though always feeble in body, |
she had been most tender and affec-
tionate wife and mother, and her
death seemed to take all the sweet
ness and brightness from the lives of
those who loved her. Kind, motherly
Mrs. James took the babe, and her ex
cellent nursing soon brought health
to the tiny frame.
Ruth undertook the housekeeping
with but little thought of responsible
ity at FIRST. She had long been accus-
toned to assist her mother, and could
perform great variety Of household
tasks with the utmost nicely.
She very frequently thought of the
talks with her mother in those days
while the house was in building; and
one sentence repeated itself over and
over-'Don't let them miss me more
than you can help She tried con-
scientiously to perform each task as
she had been accustomed to do it un-
der her mothers directions; but every
thing was so different from the old |
home. worst of a |. no gentle voice /