The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-08-14
RUTH's CHOICE.

A very pleasant little group gathered
about Ms. Dermot's cosy breakfast table
that bright Spring morning. First, Mrs.
Dermot herself fair, fat and-well. no mat
ter about the age-ten years a widow with
not over-plenty of means, and the moth
er Of three girls: Miss Laura. the eldest
and the beauty; Miss Isabel, a beauty
also, and musician besides, and little
Ruth, who was regarded by the family a
neither very brilliant nor very beautiful,
but very useful to help mother and the
sole servant With the household affairs.
This morning there was one IN the
group, Mrs. Dermot's brother Edward, an
improvldent youth who had run away to
California years ago and Just come back.
not much the better, as Mrs. Dermot
could discover, for his long wanderings.
I'VE never need have expected pool
Uncle Ed to make anything" she re.
marked to her daughters the night after
his sudden return. He says he has
saved enough to buy himself a little home
somewhere, but suppose that is all. I'm
sorry, for lid hope he would have been
I suppose We must make the best of it,
0uu GCot ullu a. we'll dS VIC CALL i W
hope he won't try to buy house in the
city, tor it won't help you to have shabby
relations close. shall advise him. a.
his means are small. to buy over on the
Jersey Shore"
Uncle Ed received this advice and con.
sented to adopt it, with q sly twinkle in
his gray eyes, which Mrs. Dermot did moi
notice.
She rather expected to be asked to as.
sist in the selection of the little place, but
as Uncle Ed did not invite her 10 accom-.
pany him, she did not offer her services.
At the table this morning, Uncle Ed
announced that the little house was ready
for occupation and that he was gong t1
take possession in two or three days.
'And now want housekeeper," he
said, in a slow way. won't you lend
me one of your girls. Mary?"
Everybody looked up as Uncle Ed made
this amazing request. Laura blushed
with vexation; Isabel shrugged her pretty
shoulders and smiled, and even Ruth
looked astonished.
"Of course you needn't do the rough
work." continued Uncle Ed. I'LL hire q
kitchen girl for that; but l thought I'D
rather have one of my own relations to
look after things. You see Ill not have
many more years to live, and I'd like to
be among my own kin.
Nobody answered, so poor Uncle Ed
went on slowly: "l'll tell you what Ill
do. If one of you girls go over to my new
home and live there with me I'll give her
her board and clothing while she stays,
and whenever she marrles I'll give her
what can for a setting out. Now, III
leave you think over it. I'm going over
to-day, and when come back this even
ing you can have your choice made"
After Uncle Ed left the room there was
chorus of EXPLANATIONS.
Isabel leaned back in her chair and
laughed until she was tired.
"Wouldn'tI look pretty playing the
piano in Uncle Eds six by nine parlor,
with an ingram carpet and wooden
chairs?" she exclaimed.
And wouldn't feel like asking Col
onel Richardson to call on me in some lit
tie muffy, stuffy Jersey placer" cried
Laura, Indignantly.
''lt's pity, | know" said Mrs. Der.
mot, but l don't see but what some OF
you ought to go. II would relieve us
and you know Uncle Ed would dress you;
he SAID sc"
"Dress!" cried Laura. Indignantly.
'Yes, calico gowns and cotton shawls.
and maybe cheap alpaca for Sunday
Thank you: not for me; let Ruth 90;
they'll suit her."
''lf ma is willing viii go, said Ruth.
speaking for the first time. IF Uncle Ed
feels lonely and wants one of us we ought
to 90 and stay with him, and am willing
to 60"
for him?" said Mrs. Dermot, thoughtfully.
ut would leave more, too, for the other
girls. and then when they marry they can
"You forgot Uncle Ed has promised
her setting out, said Isabel, with a
scornful laugh.
And Laura added. "A pretty setting
out no doubt. don't suppose after his
house is furnished, Uncle Ed will have
$50 in the world. Go along Ruth; | wish
you JOY in the bargain.
Laura, Isabel, hush" said Mrs. Der
mot, reprovingly. "lf Ruth has a mind
TO 90, you ought not to put obstacles in
her way. Let her do as she likes"
When Uncle Ed came back it was an
to him that Ruth had decided 10
go with him.
Thank you, dear, he said, lying his
hand on her head. ''l'll try to make you
as comfortable as | can. Will you be
ready to go over day after to-moirow?"
"Yes, sir, answered Ruth.
The girls had great deal OF sport
about her going next day, but little Ruth.
whose heart was warm with pity for her
lav,al,v ,,nnla hall -anl,- a.
70 early the next morning.
Uncle Ed invited the rest TO 20 over and
see her installed in her new home. Laura
declined, but Mrs.. Dermot
and Isabel resolved to go, Isabel enjoyed
the anticipation Of turning up her pretty
nose at Ruth's humble quarters.
They crossed the river and Uncle Ed
Told the ladies to wait a few moments.
ill he found some sort Of carriage.
"He hired very handsome one | must
,onfess," was Isabel's mental comment
u they were seated little later in the |
Itylish carriage with its splendid horses. |
Il didn't know they kept such elegant
mes outside of the city.
Seated in a corner, Miss Isabel enjoyed |
he ride very much, commenting on all the /
handsome residences they passed
''What an elegant place, she cried a.
hey drew near fine old madison in tn.
midst Of stately grounds. with CLEAN
4 marble statuary among the trees. and a
parking fountain flinging its bright drops
a the ar upon a well kept lawn.
1--WE will stop here" said Uncle Ed,
s the coachman drew up his horses.
Here! Why, do you know these peo-
le2 Who owns this place." asked Isa-
el-
81 do" returned Uncle Ed quietly, a.
e assisted her 70 alight.
''You." exclaimed Isabel. with a. least
hree exclamation points after the word.
While Mrs. Dermot stopped short on
he carriage step to say: Edward, Ny