The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-04-14

laughed bitterly. knew VOL wh0t
such sharing would 10 when Ruth had q
husband, and perhaps children, 10 take
her timc aud hcr love from mo. But l
was not hAr~h. / did not turn this
suitor from my house, and bid him mover
speak 10 Ruth again, much m longcd
% do IL ] worked moro cautiously. /
lot him 70 from mo 10 Ruth and when
no left her and ahc came 10 me. al rosy
blushea, TO tell me, with dropping Ida
and moist Dyes. of her now happiness, l
worked upon her loyo and her sense oi
duty ill she believed herself = monster
Of ungrateiul wickedness 10 think Of leav.
Ing mo or taking any divided duty upon
her hands.
wept, askcd her II ahs could face her
dead mother after deserving her helpless
father. pointed out 10 her tho nnccas.
ing round II wifcly duty that would keep
her from my side, and proved TO her that
tho duties of wife and child must clash,
II undertaken under such circumstances
~ wore proposed.
The loving, tender heart yielded 70 me
and John was tearfully dismissed.
Through the warm autumn months. when
tho corn ripcned and WAS garnered--
whom our crops were blessed and tho 1T.
Ito hank fund was increased hy the price
u tho farm produce Ruth glcw very
quiet and subducd. Shc was not sad,
having always CHEEKY word aud pleas
mt smile for me; but the pretty rose tint
left her round cheeks, and no longer
heard her singing ut her work. When |
read tho beat pages IL my books to her,
l would SEQ her ewes fixed arcamily on
some far.away thought. her work lying
idle, till she woke with start at my
fretful questions.
For I grew fretful aud trying in those
days. ] wanted her to give up woman's
dcnrest hopes aud sweetest affections,
and he tho same sunshiny Ruth she was
before my hand tore away her love
dreams. wanted her IL put away MI
| tho loving tender ties Of witehood and
motherhood, and pass her life in devo.
man. And whom she complied, with
gentle, touching submission, then |
wanted her to bo the bright, happy girl,
who had resigned nothing, and who
could nurse sweet girliah fancics. with
John for hero. An unreasonable old
tvrant, wasn't II
The winter came in early that year.
and before Christmas everything was
frozen mp tight. and the cold was intense.
| We piled up coal in the stoves. listed
doors and windows-that il. Ruth did
tho work, and l ENJOYED the result: but
there came one cold day--one Friday
when it seemed no Goals. NO listing.
could conquer the cold. Children
fsuse on the way to school that day, and
were found, stiff and stnrk. leaning
against tho fences. Food frcxc on The
tables. Ask anybody in Maine II they
remember that black Friday, and ecc Il
somo Mother' eyes will not III a. they
think u the little scarlet hooded figures
brought 70 their doors, white and rigid,
that had lifted rosy. round checks for q
kiss only few hours before.
On this cold Friday. Ruth hurried
through her work in the morning. max.
ing my room tho warmest place in the
house, covering my armchair with sofl
woolens, and moving Il near the stove
l would have il face tho window, for m,
glimpse Of outdoor life Was too precious
To resign: hut was not. as usual, neal
il. for Ruth said there might he Z
draught.
When al was done indoors. saw iron,
my chair Ruth. with scarlet cloak and
hood thrown over her. going 10 tho vel
with an empty bucket. She stepped
along quickly over the hard. fluye,
ground. and / was admiring the trim
little feet and the dainty figure. when
saw her slide 10 the two steps that wcr,
above the well walls aud fall. She has
slipped. and she lay doubled up hctwcef
the two wooden steps and the rough side.
u tho well. rs il sle could not rise. I've
or three times hcr hands clntchcd tn
lower step. and she raised herself hal
way up. only to fall hack again. q Il. hel
limbs would not support her.
And could only look on, powerlcss 4
move to aid her. Oh. the sgony II il
To know abe was hurt. unable 10 rise
and helpless a. log. / screamed an,
called for help. Silas was somewhere.
conld not tell where. and l called loMdl,
for him. Iconld sec. after = time, tina
Ruth. after her frantic struggles, wa.
growing drowsy with tho death sleep 4
cold. Tho scarlet hood dropped mcr
and more. tin il rested against tho well
side. and the blue, vcined lids closed owe
her eyes The sight called nom IN,
such cry q agony As I thought mus
- Il sv MAS heard ~, S 4 moment later job.
Hayes. painting and eagereyed. burst
open my door.
"What ia III" he cried. Il heara YOU
calling on the roal.
Ruth. Ruth screamed. .'She i
freezing 10 death hy the well"
He stopped to hear no more. Out up
on the hard, slippery ground. down III,
steps with swift. rapid strides. an,
then saw him stoop and lit tho It'll
scarlet eloakea figure ia his strong arm
and come swiftly hack. bending his fac
down over the seaseless QUO ea his arm
! While hot tears rainea dawn, his brow
cheekA He put her on lounge ncg
my chair. and then dashed out for snow
Grub her, rub her. hc said. II y,
going for 4 doctor and for my mother,
Before il seemed possible hc conl
have crossed the lots 10 his homo. III
mother was with me, and lifted HUT
away from tho fire 10 the bed The aos
J tor came. and the two worked till ia
heart sank with utter hopelessness h,
, fore the blue eyes opened again. Or III
breath flutterel through the pale lip,
J But il did At last, aud john Joined N
in q fcrvcnt 'sThank God,"
But Ruth had broken her leg. and "
knew abe must lie helpless Tor man
= weeks before she could he our own acsi>,
! bright girl again. Il vas m Arrail,n
truth for me 10 face. but she was Ii,
dead. not lying froxen against the roug
well curb, and could not but fell tlalll
falness far, iar above the pain 10 kno
= ing her suffering, was trying to sest
\ il all in my mind: 81 understand I'll
I doctors words. while Mrs Hayes and I'll
9 doctor lifted Ruth to her own room. th,
u opened into mime. They were away
J long time. aud John Sat beside me, hol
Z ing my hand in his. and comforting n
2 IS il ! had not taken the very hope
y his life from him.
: Don't gricve So he said. gent,
J .She will live"