The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-09-08
RUTH,s OPPORTUNITY.

RUTH'S OPPORTUNITY.
A brighter morning never dawned on
the little township of Greenville than
that Of q. certain day in the summer of
81. The sun rose with fierce glare,
boiling intense heat before night fall.
Every ray seemed like 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 little ''root-house'i used as n
storage for winter vegetables that stood
half underground and covered with
earth. But on this retreat the tvrant
cast his beams in vain. The shadow
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 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, Rdthie?'' he
called out, still surveying the interesting
ant colony.
Almost, little man." said sister
Ruth, appearing at the porch door to see
what the small lord was about
Ruth Leonard made charming picture
as she stood there shading her eyes with
her hand, framed in by clustering mass
of honeysuekle vines. Yet no one called
her pretty girl Though only six
teen. she was very tall and strong foI.
her age; every well-formed limb indi-
Gated the possession of muscular strength,
and her broad shoulders seemed lust
fitted to bear burdens. Her thick brown
hair was brushed plainly back from
lowforehead and braided, but the braid
was oftener coiled up in loose knot to
''get it out of the way Not suspi-
cion OF a curl was to be seen. for Ruth
always forgot to ''put up her hair, "-and
Nature had evidently intended it to hang
straight A pair of keen gray eyes that
often grew dark with unsatisfied longing,
yet hid in their depths a world of con-
scious power. a straight nose and full red
lips, complete the pictures picture
which had become to father and mother
rs their daily bread.
Ruth turned away smiling, and went
on with her work OF setting the table.
Suddenly shrilirvoice echoed through
the room. Hi, Bettyt no Betty it's
all in eve came with piercing dis
tinctness from the open doorway, accom-
panied by scuffiing as of brigade of
robbers, antbpisterous Hal presented
himself
II
''Now, grandmother reiterated Hal.
striking an attitude, don't reel off more
than a yard of lecture before breakfast y
..Henry, behave. 'coumanded 4 stern
voice from the other side of sthe room.
which caused noticeable decline in
Halls spirits.
There stood Mr.. Leonard, having lust
come down stairs unnoticed by the Young
scapegrace. He held little Lou by the
hand. DELICATE. sensitive child, older
than Hal, though scarcely taller than her
sturdy brother.
rHere come the provisions. remarked
Hail. as Ruth brought in a smoking
omelet from the Kitchen.
go cali Scott" said his father; which
cruel mandate obliged the young gentle
man TO remove his admiring gaze from
the repast.
FAY. ay, SIR he responded. and in
few minutes he reappeared with Scott.
who was very red in the face, and howl
ing most franticalIy. Hal had the little
fellows skirts gathered tightly in one
hand, while with the other he firmly
grasped the neck of his dress, just as
he bad picked him up from the ground,
making him walk Spanish, as he
termed il.
IN for ~ - 4 -
and Mr.. Leonard asked a blessing on
the food in sad. pleading voice. For
several minutes the children seemed
awed into silence. At length Ruth broke
the stiliuess.
did you see the doctor again last
night, fatherP''
Yes, daughter"
asked.
Mr. Leonard could not at once trust
himself to speak, but after moment he
replied. in husky voice: 1.-The doctor
says your mother will never walk
again.
The quick tears sprang to the girls
eyes as she thought of the dear little
Quaker mother upstairs, lying so patient
ly on her bed of suffering, who only a
year ago. before that terrible fall which
hurt ner BACK, had been well and happy.
Lou began to sob outright, and great
hearted Hal again brushed his coat
sleeve over his face, but this time to wipe
away the tears.
does mother know itP'' asked Ruth.
Yes
How does she feel about it?s
= Cheerful as ever. " replied Mr.. Leon
ard. :. She never thinks of complaining
but only of comforting u.s.
The children frightened ap little at |
these words, for their blithe spirits re-
fused to be long downcast. especially |
when they felt sure Of seeing the same
bright, loving mother unchanged all |
exoeptk Ruth; her sober face too well ex- |
pressed her thoughts.
20, father, broke in Hal, presently, |
Jake Murphy says the ire has caught |
over at Liberty
= Yes" replied his father. xbsently.
they are having desperate struggle |
With the fires this summer
Louis great blue eyes had grown