Arizona weekly enterprise., 1882-09-02
RUTEs CHOICE.

 about Mrs Damon's cosy breakfast ta- ble that bright spring morning. First, Mrs. Damon herself, fair, fat and-wen, no matter about the age-ten years widow with not over plenty of means, and the mother of three girls; Miss Laura, the oldest and the beauty; Miss Isabel, beauty also, and 8 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 scrv- ant with the household affairs.
 This morning there was an extra one in the group, Mrs. Damon's brother Ed ward, an improvident 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.
 '.We never need have expected poor Uncle Ed to make anything" she re- marked to her daughters the night af- ter his sudden return ''He says he has saved enough to buy himself little house somewhere, but l suppose that is all. I'm sorry, for did hope he would have been able to do something for you, girls. But 1 suppose we must make the best of it, and treat him as well as we can. do hope he won't try to buy house in the city, for it won't help you to have shabby relations close by. shall advise him, as his means are small, to buy over on the Jersey shore"
 Uncle Ed received this advice and consented to adopt it, with sly twinkle in his gray eyes. which Mrs. Damon did at Sl,o a,y,,nnEnI frsh ho asked to assist m the selection of the little place, but as Uncle Ed did not in- vtc 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 1 want housekeeper," he said, in slow way. Wont you lend me one of your girls, Marry"
 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. "rll hire a kitchen girl for that; but thought I d rather have one of my own relations to look after things. You see Pll not have many years to live, and 1 would like to be among my own kin"
 Nobody answered, so poor Uncle Ed went on slowly
 ''Tll tell you what I'll do. If one of you girls will go over to my home and live there with me. I'll give her her board and clothing while she stays. and whenever she marries I'll give her what to think over it. I'm going over to-day, and when 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 look pretty playing the piano in Uncle Eds six by nine parlor, with an ingrain carpet and wooden chairs?" she exclaimed.
 And wouldn't feel like asking Col. Richardson to call on me in some little muffy, stuffy Jersey habitation? cried Laura, indignantly.
 Its pity, know" said Mrs. Da- mon, ''but l don't see but what one of you ought to go. It would relieve us and you know Uncle Ed would dress you-he said so.'
 ''Dress!' 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 Il suit her.
 If ma is willing, will go," said | Pt,th for. bo first tir,n GsI
 Uncle Ed feels lonely and wants one O.
 us, we ought to go and stay with him
 and l am willing to go."
 "M ell, don't you suppose you would
 be best for him?" said Mrs. Damon,
 thouShtfully. 1t would leave more too, for the other girls, and then wher they marry they can help you" You forget Uncle Ed has promised
 her a 'set-out,' said Isabel, with $ scornful laugh.
 : And Laura added A pretty 'set-out,' no doubt. l don suppose, after his house is furnished
 Uncle Ed will have fifty dollars in tn = world. Go along, Ruth; wish you io in the bargain.
 5 Laura, Isabel, hushr' said Mrs Da , mon, reproyingly. If Ruth has min to go, you ought not to put obstacles i . her way. Let her do us she likes" 2 When Uncle Ed came back, it wa Q announced to him Ruth had decided t Q superintend his establishment. | ''Thank you, dear" he said, layin | his hand on her head. "ru fy t :. make you as comfortable as can. Wi , you be ready to go over day after tC morTowP'
 e "Yes, sir," answered Ruth. U The girls had a great deal of spoI
 about her going next day, but littl V Ruth, whose heart was warm with pit ;. for her lonely old uncle, held firm an Q was ready to go early the next morl T. ing.
 r. Uncle Ed invited the rest to go ove
 and see her installed in her new homo ie Laura haughtily declined, but Mrs. D; = mon and Isabel resolved to go. lsao, y enjoyed the anticipation of turning u T. her pretty nose at Ruth's humble qua
 ters.
 They crossed the river, and Uncle E A told the ladies to wait at the office a fe
 moments till he found some sort Of A carriage.
 S ''He hired very handsome one, . must confess" was Isabel mental COT 2 meut, as they were seated a little lat A in stylish carriage with its splend s horses. T didn't know they kept su, 2 elegant ones outside of the city, '