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

The quick tears sprang to the girls
eyes as she thought of the dear little
Quaker mother upstairs, lying so patient
" on her bed of suffering, who only a
year ago, before that terrible fall which
hurt her 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 it?" asked Ruth.
Yes
Glow does she feel about it?"
" Cheerful as ever" replied Mr.. Leon
ard " She never thinks of complaining
but only of comforting US"
The children frightened up q 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
except Ruth; her sober face too well ex
pressed her thoughts.
80, father" broke in Hal, presently,
Jake Murphy says the fire has caught
over at Liberty"
Yes" replied his father, absently,
&C they are having desperate struggle
with the 1lreS TINS summer.
Louis great blue eyes had grown
brighter and brighter while they were
talking, and pink spot glowed in each
cheek as she asked, Do you think it
could get here?'
"No, think not the wind is decidedly
westward, and the people of Liberty will
probably take all possible measures for
checking its progress"
Mr.. Leonard sighed, as he spoke, and
he seemed to be looking straight through
Ruth rather than at her Perhaps he
was wondering how the four BARNS and
the sick wife were to be fed and cared
for all winter if no rain came to save his
failing crops.
Just then low call was heard for Lou
Yes, ma am" answered the little
girl, running to the foot of the stairs.
VIII thee bring mother nice glass of
cold water?'
q will, mother" rang out Ruth's
CHEEKY voice; {" I'm coming up anyway"
Ruth went out to the well with her tin
water pail, that her mother might have a
draught fresh aud sparkling. As she
lowered the bucket, peering down into
the messy depths. she noticed how low
the water was-lOwer than she had ever
seen it, for their well was never known
to fail, and in these times of drought the
ncighbors from far and near drew their
daily supply from Farmer Leonard's
spring, d" Wen have to be very careful
of it" she thought - or it will give on"
Ruth returned to the house with her
cool refreshment, and taking one of the
best goblcts from the pantry, gave an
extra polish with fresh towel, and filed
it with the water, ''because it would taste
so much better out of that
81 thank thee. deary. How good it
looks!' said the invalid, drinking eager
ly. "Thee takes deal of trouble for
thy mother"
"And why shouldn't 1? Thee is the
best of mothers" responded the girl,
tenderly hugging her.
Ruth now began to busy herself about
the room. She wheeled out a big arm
chair by the window, padded it out
with pillows into comfortable proper
tons, placed in front of it a little
stuffed cricket, and threw a large soft
shawl over the whole arrangement She
then gathered up all the stray dishes,
placed everything in order and carefully
busted the room,
A pair of loving eyes watched these
operations, following every motion: but
not word was spoken, not word of
the doctor 5 decision, not word OF the
Long suffering in store.
Nov, MOTHER said Ruth at last,
inf - h,,,
up in a twinkling;" and with one strong
motion she quickly lifted the slender
form, so light in its best days, and so re-
duced by pain and suffering now, into
the chair.
When she had settled her comfortably
and arranged the blinds so as to make
pleasant shade in the room, she brought
the mate to the little stuffed cricket, and
sat at her mother 5 side.
What is it, daughter?-what troubles
thee?
80, a great many things, mother"
answered Ruth, laying her head on the
sympathetic breast.
"Well, suppose thee tell mother the
greatest trouble, and then the second,
until thy mind is unburdened?" and the
soft hands gently smoothed the brown
hair.
"Well, the first is about thee;'' and
the tears would come in spite of her.
"Why, my dear child, do not grieve
over that, Almost year has gone by,
and another will soon pass; and think
what calm, peaceful time | may have
with so busy little housekeeper to do
everything.
"Ah! but that is just the trouble,
mother" said Ruth, earnestly, as she
lifted her tear-stained face. II feel so
good-for-nothng when have only the
same homely little duties every day. |
do so long for chance to be great and
good"
MY daughter Mrs. Leonard
took both trembling hands in her own
''does thee know that the only way to be
good and great is to do faithfully the
work that is nearest thy hand? Let thy
whole heart be drawn into each homely
duty, and when an opportunity comes to
do a great work, it will find thee ready"
Ruth said nothing, but the deep,
strong look in the gray eyes expressed a
firm resolve.
Presently there was a clatter of stout
boots heard on the stairs.
Harry is coming" said the mother
| ,rvstI