The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-07-25
RU r n.

After Martha died-my wife, mean,
with whom forty years of my lie were
spen.-anl all my cnillron were dead
or married, excepting Ruth, there fell
ppon me the heavy misfortune that has
cbainel me TO this chair, or my bed, for
fifty weary years. l was stricken help-
less with paralysis.
Ruth was just twenty when hermothcr
died, and others beside her father
thought her rSce the fairest ore for
miles around. She had the blues. eyes,
like patches Of summer sky, and hair
that was the color of corn silk, and
nestled in little baby cu.ls all over her
head-rebellious hair that would never
lie straight under any ccaxing, hat
kinied Up in Jangie3 that were full Of
sunlight. Her skin was white as milk,
her cheeks like the heart Of blush rose,
and her smile showed the prattinst rows
of pearly teeth ever saw.
She devised little dainty dishes 10
tempt me TO eat; she put saucers OF
flowers on my table that / might cheat
myself into fancying l was out doors,
as their perfume crept cut on the air;
she assured me, petted rae, loved nc,
till even my misfortuncs seemed bless
ings drawing US nearer together.
And wncn she was ali the world to
nae, all that saved me from misery
John Hayes sskcd ne TO giYe him Ruth
Cor bis wife. could have struck him
dead when he stood before me, q young
giant in strength, with his handsome
sun-burat face, glowing with health.
and wanted to take away my one bless
ing, my only home CHILD.
Il will be a true son to you, Mr.
Martin" }" be said earnestly. II VII
never take Ruth from here, but let me
come and share her life, and lift some Of
the BURDENS from her shoulder"
] laughed bitterly knew wei what
such sharing would be when Ruth had
a husband, AMI perhaps chillren, to take
her time and love from me. But | was
not harsh, ] dill pot turn this gultor
from my house al bid him never speak
to Ruth again, much as longoI to DO
IT, ! worked more cautiously. ! lc.
him 50 from me TO Ruth; AMI when le
left her ana she came TO me, all rosy
blu hes, to tell me, with dropping lids
AMI moist eyes, of her new happiness, /
worked upon her love AMI her sense of
duty till she believed herself a monster
OF unSra.ciul wicLedness to think Of
leaving me or taking any divided duty
upon her hands.
The loving, tender heart yelled TO NC
and John was tearfully dismissed.
Through the warm autumn months,
when the corn ripenei ami was garner
ei--"hen our crops we're blessed AMI
the little bank fual was increased by
the price of farm prola2e-Ru.h grew
very quiet anl subigei. She was not
sad, having always q choery word end
peasant smile Tor me- but the pretty
rose tint left her round checks, and
no longer heard her singing at her work.
When .ead the best pages in my books
TO her conld see her eyes fixed dream
lily on some far-away thought, her work
lying idle, till she woke with a start at
nay frotful questions.
The winter came in early tha. year
and soon everything was frozen up tight
and the cold was intense. We piled uD
coal in The stoves, l.stel doors ami
win lows hat Is, Ruth dill tb, work
an enjoyed the result; ulthere came
ono cold day-one Fr,iay-Uh hen it
seemed no Goals, 10 lis ing coull
conquer The cold. Children frozc on
the way TO school lha, day aal were
s.iif ani stark, leaning agains, the
fences. FOOD fr5ie oniha tables.
on this cold Friday Eu'h hurried
through her work n The morning MAX
ing ny room the wagRos. place l. t,.a