The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-08-24
RUTH's CHOICE.

Mrs. Damon herself, fair, fat and-well,
no matter about the age-ten years a
widow with not over plenty of means,
and the mother of three girls; Miss
Laura, the oldest and the beauty; Miss
Isabel, q beauty also, and musician
beside; and little Ruth, who was re-
garded by the family as neither very
brilliant nor very beautiful, but very
useful to help mother and the sole serv-
ant with tho household affairs.
This morning there was an extra ono
in the group, Mrs. Damon's brother Ed
ward, an improyident youth who had
run away to California years ago and
just come back, not much the better, as
Mrs. Damon could discover, for his long
wanderings.
F'We never need have expected poor
Uncle Ed to make anything" she re-
marked to her daughters the night af-
ter his sudden return. ''IIe says he has
saved enough to buy himself little
house somewhere, but suppose that is
all. I'm sorry, for did hope he would
have been able to do something for you,
girls. But l suppose we must make the
best of it, and treat him as we'll as we
can. do hope he won't try to buy a
house in the city, for it won't help you
to have shabby relations close by. l
shall advise him, as his smeans are small,
to buy over on the Jersey shore"
Uncle Ed received this advice and
consented to adopt it, with a sly twinkle
in his gray eyes. which Mrs. Damon did
not notice. She rather expected to be
asked to assist in the selection of the
little place, but as Uncle Ed did not in
vite her to accompany 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
going to take possession.
''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 astonishing request. Laura
bluShed with veXation; Isabel shrugged
her pretty shoulders and smiled, and
even little Ruth looked astonished.
''Of course you needn't do the rough
work." continued Uncle Ed. ''r1l hire
a kitchen girl for that; butI thought ID
rather have one of my own relations to
look after things. You see I'll not have
many y NStblo " llfC, anu L "Ol1lNk 1lhC W
be among my own kim
Nobody answered, so poor Uncle Ed
went on slowly
''Tll tell you what I'll do. If one of
you girls will 90 over'to my home and
live there with me, L. give her her
board and clothing VIII 8 She stays, and
whenever she marries Pll give her what
L can for set-out. Now I'll leave you
to think over it. I'm going over to-day,
and when l come back this evening you
can have your choice made"
After Uncle Ed left the room there
was chorus of eXclamations.
Isabel leaned back in her chair and
laughed until she was tired.
''Wouldn't l. look pretty playing the
piano in Uncle Eds six by nine parlor,
with an ingram carpet and wooden
chairs?" she exclaimed.
"And wouldn't l feel like asking Col.
Richardson to call on me in some little
muffy, stufy Jersey habitationP cried
Laura, Indignantly.
Its pity, know" said Mrs. Da-
mon, "but don't see but what one of
you ought to go. 1t would relieve us;
and you know Uncle Ed would dress
yOu-ne SalU SO.
''DresSr' cried Laura, Indignantly.
''Yes; calico gowns and cotton shawls,
and maybe cheap alpaca for Sunday.
Thank you; not for me. Let Ruth go;
they'll suit herr
''If ma is willing, l will CO." said
Ruth, speaking for the first time. ''It
Uncle Ed feels lonely and wants one OF
US, we ought to go and stay with him;
and l am willing to go"
"Well, don't you suppose you would
be best for him?' said Mrs. Damon,
thoughtfully ''It would leave more,
too, for tho other girls, and then when
they marry they can help you"
.'You forget Uncle Ed has promised
her 'set-out,' said Isabel, with a
scornful laugh.
And Laura added
"a pretty 'set-out,' no doubt. dom
suppose, after his house is furnished,
Uncle Ed will have fifty dollars in the
world. Go along, Ruth; l wish you JOY
in the bargain"
Laura, Isabel, hush!' said Mrs. Da
mon, reprovingly. ''If Ruth has min(
to 90, you ought not to put obstacles il
her way. Let her do as she likes
When Uncle Ed came back, it wa:
announced to him Ruth had decided tC
superintend his establishment.
Thank you, dear" he said, laying
his hand ON her head. "rll try t(
make you as comfortable rs | can. VIII
you be ready to 60 over day after to
morrow"
''Yes, sir" answered Ruth.
The girls had great deal of spor
about her going next day, but littl
Ruth, whose heart was warm with pit,
for her lonely old uncle, held firm ant
was ready to go early the next morn
ing.
Uncle Ed invited the rest to 90 owe
and see her installed in her new home
Laura haughtily declined, but Mrs. Da
mon and Isabel resolved to go. lsabe
enjoyed the anticipation OF turning u
her pretty nose at Ruth's humble qual
| terS.
They crossed the river, and Uncle f.
told the ladies to wait at the office fey
moments till he found some sort of
carriage.
'.He hired a very handsome one,
must confess was Isabel mental con
ment, as they were seated little late
in stylish carriage with its splendi
horses. II didn't know they kept sue
elegant ones outside of the city"
Seated in corner, Miss Isabel enjoy
ed the ride very much, commenting o
all the handsome residences they pas:
ed.
"What an elegant placer she crieC
as they drew near a fine old mansion
the midst of stately grounds, with
CLEAN of marble statuary among til
trees, and q sparkling fountain flingin
its bright drops in the air upon wei
kept lawn.
1--WE will stop here" said Uncle EC
as the coachman drew up his horses.