The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-09-09
RUTH'S OPPORTUNITY.

A brighter morning never dawned on
the little township of Grecnville 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 'root-house" used as
storage for winter vegetables, that stood
half underground and covered with
earth. But on this retreat the tvrant
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 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
what the small lord was about.
Ruth Leonard made charming picture
as she stood there shading her eyes with
her hand, framed in by a clustering mass
of honeysuckle vines. Yetno one called
her a pretty girl. Though only six
teen, she was very tall and strong for
her age; every well-formed limb indi-
Gated the possession of muscular strength,
and her broad shoulders seemed lust
fitted to bear burdens. Herthick brown
hair was brushed plainly back from a
low forehead and braided, but the braid
was oftener coiled up in a loose knot to
''get it out of the way" Not a 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 unsatisiicd longing,
yet hid in their depths world of con
scous power, a straight nose and full red
lips, complete the picture-a picture
which had become to father and mother
as their daily bread.
Ruth turned away smiling, and went
on with her work of setting the table.
Suddenly Il shrill voice echoed through
the room. Eli, Betty! no Betty! it's
all in meyer came with piercing dis
tinctness from the open doorway, accom-
panied by scullling as of brigade of
robbers, and boisterous Hal presented
himself
|'Now, Hal" began Ruth.
CHOW, grandmother, reiterated Hal,
striking an attitude, ''don't reel off more
than yard of lecture before breakfast"
Henry, behave" commanded stern
voice from the other side of the room,
which caused noticeable decline in
Hal 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.
"Here come the provisions, ~ remarked
Hal, as Ruth brought in a smoking
omelet from the kitchen.
''Go call Scott" said his father; which
cruel mandate obliged the young gentle
man to remove his admiring gaze from
the repast.
GAY, ay, sir" he responded, and in a
few minutes he reappeared with Scott,
who was very red in the face, and howl
ing most frantically. 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 had picked him up from the ground,
making him walk Spanish" as he
termed it.
The family gathered around the table,
and Mr.. Leonard asked a blessing on
the food in a sad, pleading voice. For
several minutes the children seemed
awed into silence. AT length Ruth broke
the stilluess.
did you see the doctor again last
night, father?"
Eyes, daughter"
"What did he say?" she eagerly
asked