The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-07-28
OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
ny RUBY.
written for the NonrHrnsrn. }

not very long story, but il will keep me out
of mischief for few hours perchance for
my dear old granny-peace to her soul
used always to be reminding me that His
Satanic Majesty would provide employment
for idle hands, and / am not prepared to dis
pute her, when ] think of some of my girlsh
escapades. But now for my story. Just
twenty years ago to-day, began my earthly
career and all the first sixteen years of my
existence were spent here on the old home
stead, my mothers home from childhood.
My mother died when l was five years old !;
! can just remember her, as some beautiful
dream which comes in sleep, and leaves only
a dim remembrance during the waking hour.
wear her image, and that of my father, in
this little locket about my neck-my only
jewel, given me by my angel mother. 1t
was my fathers last gift TO her, when he
sailed away on the Morning Star; for my
father was saiior-I inherit his rowing dis
position, as well as his robust frame, dark
eyes, and dark skin. / am totally unlike my
mother, who was of delicate constitution, and
almost spiritual in her fair, frail beauty. /
was but babe when my father sailed for the
Indies, and have no recollection of him, for
he has never returned, and no word has ever
been received from him. Yet cannot bring
myself to believe him dead, though all others
have long since given up hoping and watch
ing. Anxiety for him, and sorrow for his alb
sence, FASTENED my mothers death, and /
was left alone with my aged grandparents.
After my first passionate out-burst of grief
was over, with the happy ease of childhood,
ceased to weep for my mother, and, for
sixteen years, led wild and lawless life. My
grandparents allowed me to wander about
the old place, gathering flowers and chasing
birds and butterflies all day long, and then
coming in tired and sleepy, / would rest
sweetly all night, only to wake with the sun
rise, and begin another day of careless happi-
ness. There was not a tree within a mile
which / could not climb like squirrel, not
brook which had not forded. My educa-
ton was limited may say it was almost
entirely wanting. Indeed, when l was about
eight years of age, grandpa took me by the
hand and led NE to the village school, but
threw my book out OF the window, and,
when the schoolmaster's eyes were turned.
followed il myself, at single bound. Away
i 90 faa copl1 mo nm
I'll ] came to spreading tree near the school
house, which quickly assembled. How well
remember the masters look of amazement
as he came oct of the door. whip in hand.
and gazed about him in search of the truant.
could not resist giving vent to my feelings
in ringing peal Of laughter, which caused
him TO look first one way and then the other,
in still greater establishment. With a terri
bic frown, be at length returned TO his
scholars, while / ran home TO granny. This
was the last of my going TO school, until, on
my sixteenth birthday, my uncle came to
visit us, from the city. He was stern and
dignifed man, and my benighted condition
seemed 70 horrify him. So l was sent TO
Rosedale school, It was a delightful old
place, and learned to love ii dearly, though
the first few weeks l passed there were the
most wretched of my life. AS a matter of
course, was far behind the young ladies of
my age, in my books, and I had always had
an aversion for study Then. too, my dress,
to which l had never given the least thought,
now found was different from that of the
Others, and altogether / felt very awkward
and out of my element. The girls were
naturally inclined to make sport of me, but
one dear girl, whom l had observed. and
wished that might be as good and beauti-
full as she, noticed my discomforture and be-
friended re in my loneliness. We became
firm friends, though two persons were never
more unlike. She was by nature delicate
and refined, with taste for study and inn
provement. BY her example, and by her
help in various ways she continued to make
me enjoy my studies, and TO strive TO reclaim
my wasted years. | always had passion
for music, and now had an opportunity for
caltivating my talent in this direction.
Music was the one thing We had in common,
and my friend was able to assist me greatly
in this. / often said to her, "Oh Lillian
cher name was Lillian Ray how can ever
repay you for your klndness:" by tue by,
l believe I've forgotten TO mention my name.
was christened Rachel, after lay dear old
grandmother, and my fathers name was
Albert Merritt. But lad al opportunity
to repay her, for my darling was taken very
i'll, and 1 was unsparing in my devotion to
her, and, when she was able TO be taken to
her city home, l accompanied her, at the
earnest solicitation of her father. and spent
happy vacation there. Mr.. and Mrs. Ray
were very kind indeed TO me, and her brother
well, won't say much about him, bat af
ter l have finished my course at school, l
have promised somebody that / will leave my