The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-09-07
t OPPORTUNITY.

RUTH,s OPPORTUNITY.
A brighter morning never dawned on
the little township Of Greenville than
that of a certain day in the summer of
81. The sun rose with a fierce glare,
boding intense heat before night-fall.
Every ray seemed like a fiery dart sent
down to destroy the few lingering traces
of verdure, for rain had not fallen in
weeks, and plants and animals were
alike consumed with thirst.
The sun had wide range for havoc on
Mr.. Leonard's farm, and it blazed re-
lentlessly down upon his well-tilled
acres. upon his roomy barns and stables,
which sheltered the painting cattle, and
upon a little s'root-house'' used as a
storage for winter vegetables, that stood
half underground and covered with
earth. But on this retreat the tyrant
cast his beams in vain. The shadowy
room within was delightfully."- cool, and
there in the doorway lay little Scott, the
~five-year-old baby of the household, with
his chin resting on two chubby palms,
his elbows planted in the damp earth,
and heels beating the air, intently watch
ing a swarm of ants. The old root
house had been a favorite haunt of the
little fellow during the hot, sultry days
of summer, for it was so near the
kitchen that he never felt lonely there.
breakfast most ready, Ruthie?' he
called out, still surveying the interesting
ant colony.
almost, little man." said sister
Ruth, appearing at the porch door to see
whatthe small lord was about
ruth leonard made charming picture
as she stooa there shaclngiher eyes with
her nanu, Iranea IN py aclustering mas
OF h~oneysuckle vines; fetno one called
ner 9 pretty girl. Ihough only SIX
she was very tall and strong for
her age; every well-formed limb lndi-
Gated the possession OF muscular strength,
N her broad shoulders seemed Just
nt!ea 10 peal Herthick brown
mar was brushed plainly back from a
low forehead and braided, but the braid
was oitener colied up IN q Q knot to
get IT out OF the way" Not assuspi-
clon OF a curl was to be seen, for Ruth
aIways forgot to ..putup her hair" and
Nature a evidently intended it to hang
seraigng. A par Oh Keen gray eyes that
oiten grew aark with unsatlshed longing,
yet ma IN their depths a world OF CON
sclous power, a straight nose and full red
Ups complete the picture-a picture
Wnlcn a become 10 1ather and mother
ss enelrzuauy oreau-
NUN Gurneu 1way siniing, ana went
on WIN ner WORK I setting the table.
suddenly a shrlu voice echoed through
the Hi, Betty! no Betty! it's
all IN meye! came with piercing dis
tlnctness from the open doorway, accom-
panied by scuf1lng as OF a brigade OF
ROBBERS, and bolsterous Hal presented
himself.
"Now, Hal" began Ruth.
Now, grandmother" reiterated Hal,
striking an attitude, ''don'treel off more
tnan a yard OF lecture before breakfast"
HENRY behave, commanded stern
voice froms tne 5other SIDE OF the room,
Mh,cn caused a nouceaole decline In
Hnar : spHits.
Ine1e suooa MI. eonar having just
coineooWHs oalTs un1otlced py ing young
ne nela Mule Loupy the
nana, =, aencate, sensitive child. older
tnan Haf, though scarcely taller thanther
surrey nrother.
mere come me provisions, remarked
MAJ, as hutn brought IN a smoking
.eGa aom So one kltcneai
oait ooo1S, saiu ms iatheri wnlch
man To m ren'o1e o b;ss edm rie young gehtle,