The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-12-03
for baby Sally, and humming a tune as she

family and Its sad history; with the youn
soldier, the sorrowing wife, and the patient
brave young housekeeper, playing mother ;
sweetly, and Toying her father with such SIN
pie reverence.
Life Is not a sham" she said There ar
little hearts, noble and unseliish. God is sill
with us in human love- and In this beantllu
world that He has created"
The san,ing rays of the sun fell into he
room, q robin sang outside on the elm, a ro
of roses blossomcd IN the window, and sh
knew that crocuses and violets were awaken
ing irom their death IKE sleep in the bosom q
the earth.
The old ladies' caps were not taken dow
that night Indeed. they had changed thel
appearance and seemed to smile benevolentIy
and IN the early evening verltable old lad
came in and bought one, paying good price
She expected company Decoration Day, sh
remarked, land wanted 10 smart up u little.
|. was neat, tasteful head dress and othe
old ladies, seeing it, came for more. The It'd
seemed TO be setting with faint, yet pcrcep
lbe motion, toward the neglected shop.
Mary Grant took courage.
II Will have an opening" she sand, on
bright, electric May morning. | will max
the prettiest things | can think of if 1t take
my last cent to buy material. And it will.
am sure Of that Never mind, there is still tn
fine washing left"
So she went out and bought silk and lac
and white chip bonnets and pale blue ana ros
pink ribbons of Sarsnet ~ Co.
When she got home with her purchases sh
had twenty-five cents in her purse. Her rem
was paid for quarter in advance, and SIT
could live on eggs and mush, with an occas
lonal baked potato. So she was secure agains
homelessness and starvation for short time
least
Her delicate fingers flew, and dainty fabric
grew beneath them. She was full Of insplra
ton for her work, and IN a short time the llttl
shop.wlndow wa. full of fresh artistic designs
She smiled when she thought of her pas
encouragement, and attributed all her new
courage TO the advent OF Ruth and the max
ing of Sally's Normandy cap.
In some way 1t got out" in Allan dale tina
Mrs Grant had beautiful new styles. Minn
Ferguson the rich manufacturers daughter
heard OF this rumor and rode thlther in he
carriage.
The sight of that carriage acted like mag
lc. As many as half dozen young ladie
who saw IT visited the shop the very next day
The pretty spring bonnets went oil ike no
cakes.
"They are unique" said Miss Minnie, anC
straightway TIE WORT unique" was in tn
mouth of every one Of her troop of followers
The widow was seriously IN danger of becom
ing the fashion
In the meantime Ruth dropped in to see hel
whenever she came to town on errands tor he
household. The child,like woman and TIT
womany child grew to love each other very
soon with no common love.
The condolences grew longer between them
and soon Mrs Grant felt as if she had known
about the minister's family all her life. Man.
were the visits that she now made to Harry
grave.
Often in the bright May afternoon she tool
a tritle of work and sat by the green mound
now purpling all over with spring violets.
"He shall be my soldier" she SAID to her
self "On Decoration Day | will come her
with the lovelest flowers | can lind, IN TIN
early morning, and long before the town Il
stirring"
She kept her word. At dawn she stepped
out into the rosy light, with basketiul o
roses and pansies. verbenas and mignonettes
Through the silent streets she hurried, meeting
no one, thinking only of the love and grie
throbbing In the country's heart tor her deat
sons.
The cemetery lay serene in the glow OF th'
new day. Birds were fitting about here ant
there among the new graves, and now and thel
gush of music qulvered through the air
shaft from the rising sun shot athwart Harry
grave as the lady approached it.
She smiled rs she saw 1t.
Its good omen, she saba symbo
of the light III which his spirit dwells."
Once by the grave, she sat down and began
weaving her roses into q wreath for the youn!
soldier. The pansles, already bound in dain
ty bouquet, she placed upon his breast. Slt
ting there entwining the white blossoms, Will
their dewy leaves, she murmured a prayer
the Litany OF Decoration Day;
GOD have mercy upon all mothers whit
weep today; give them the true blossoms o
consolation, the lilies of peace, the roses o
triumphant faith
Amen" SAID deep, solemn voice at he
side
She turned quickly, blusnlng scarlet, anI
saw tall, grave man standing near. Hi
hands were full of flowers, and it was plaii
that he, too, had come to decorate the grave o
the soldier boy.
The man and woman looked INTO each 9th
ers faces ard then, moved by the same I'm
pulse, they clasped hands with a close, cordla
pleasure,
"You are the lady who has been so good t
nay little Ruth ?n said he.
1t was strange introduction; but in fiv
minutes conversation there In the fresh dawl
by llarry's peaceful grave, brought them near
er together than days of society intercourse
would have done. IL touched the weary, ach
ing heart of the father very deeply to see thi
sweet stranger bringing flowers to his soldle
boy, and the widow was inexpresslbly cheeret
in return by the sympathy and tenderness t
which she had so long been stranger.
Mr.. Fredericks told Mrs Grant that h
should bring Ruth and Sally to town later t
see the ceremonies. Thereupon she invites
them all to her house to dinner, and the inv
tation was accepted
The baby wore her new cap, and looked 70
all the world like meadow daisy. Mar
Grant fell in love with Sally at first sight, and
after an hours acquaintance, the little one fol
lowed her new friend around as If she ha
known her for life.
Ruth was in a state of delight so intens
that she could express it only by aitectlonat
looks and actions-now stroking her father