The Russellville Democrat., 1880-09-30
RUTH PRIM'S BUDGET.

RUTH PRIM'S BUDGET.
 I am not sorry the old philosopher has gone. He has spent two full hours here, talking of the certainty of change and decay. How he has tired me; don't like the rubbish that is subject to the law ofmould and putrefaction; can contemplate past changes without being r enTeloped in mist of gloom. "Eyery cloud hath silver lining" and every cloud, too, is but a shadow, hiding some bud of gladness-we have only to wait the suns rising. l met this old gentle man in Cuba. and there we made the &C., quaintance of Madame Cutbush. She has this morning resurrected all her faults. 1 would leave them buried with her poor, abused material body, and re- member her with tender pity. She had hard discipline in this primary depart ment of the creative universe. We, on the outside of the sheli, are i'll fitted to pass an opinion of it's wisdom and use. But we can think and speak kindly of -. We'll, the old rusty philosopher calls her "the dead woman." 1 let the words pass without comment, but 1 am sure she IS no more dead than she was the last time l saw ner, suffocated with the poisonous fumes of the wine cup. l repeated to my old friend this morning part of Miss Fletcher's beautiful poem:
 "Think gently of the erringi
 Ye know not of the power
 With which the dark temptation came,
 In some unguarded hour.
 Ye may not know how earnestly
 She struggled, or how well,
 Until the hour of weakness came,
 And sadly thus she feil,'
 "Humphl" sad he; Five no pity for weakness. We are endowed with strength, and we should make special use of It in temptation." I didn't waste words on this man, but I thought of Burns lines:
 "oh would some power the giftie gie us
 To see oursels as ithers see us'
 We'll, 1 wasn't sorry when the tault- finding old man sald, "Good morning, Aunt Ruthy;" and the morning does seem eood, now his dark shadow is re- moved.
 l remember Madame Cutbush with heart of gratitude and pity. She was very kind to me and my Luke, during his sickness; and after he was freed from hls earthly suferings, she generously said to me: Make my house you< home as long as you choose to remain on .his island. Be to me a friend-be a sis,sr. l am terribly alone in the hard world" Twas January now 1 was wasted in strength, from long watching, and felt very feeble. The Doctor said l could not return to the United States until the balmy days of spring came round, so accepted Madame Cutbush's kindness She was now landlady of the Washing ton House, the largest hotel and board. ing house in Havana. It was central gathering for all American visitors, and was decidedly an American house. Here l made a home until May. The old philosopher sneeringly said to die.
 While there you pretend to be con scientious woman, a woman of truth, and yet call this place a home. Have yoh any children in the States"
 l replied, "My home is where my present use and duty are. The heart finds comfort in nursing the neglected sick ones here. Then the Madam, with her pressure of cares, surely needs friend" We'll my home was hers dur ing six months, and twas full of life and interest, but the central pulse was the fallen woman herself-she drank just one large goblet of wine too much every day This made her feet uncertain, her lips foolish and her eyes dim. l drew myself very near her in love and sym pathy, and after long persuading strengthened her to resolve on a reform. "l will make brute of myself no long CT" she said; then added, My craving, begging stomach what can do with it?" filled her wine decanter with tea of boneset, and placed it on the same old shelf, saying to her, "Whenever the craving is unbearable, take soothing dflnL from the old dpcanterh
 She nodded fearful smile.
 For SIX weeks the large Washington House had head, and the dozen slaves We're subordlnates. l was congratulated by many of the boarders on the comfort able reform l had wrought, and felt happy, resting in this good work. The seventh week and it was all over. Un- certain feet brought Madame" to the table; dim eyes vacantly scanned the family board, while the lips refused the cheery good morning." There was a momentary hush, it seemed awfully solemn, disappointed glances were ex- changed, and glances of disgust. The saves brought in the coffee and dishes Bith downcast eyes and sorrowful faces. lhelr mistress disgrace shadowed them. The old philosopher, who occupied seal near me, muttered, groaned, and hissed between his teeth, then said, "I have sailed in this ship seven years; it has done good service; no vessel in this city equaling it in comfort; but that old thIng is wrecked now humphl Let us
 could eat nothing, and, leaving the ,able went to my room. Some hours lster, Madame Cutbush rapped at my uoer, l opened it for her, and was about speaking, when she exclaimed with much yehemence. For mercy sake, Goh't speak, Spare me-'tis enough I'm down--and l ean't--I can't-eyer be woman again." Here she sank help lessly into a chair, and bitterly wept. l Walsed ln silence until her excited feel