The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-31
RUTH uasou's DRESS.
BY JENNIE PORTER ARNOLD.

How bright and beautiful all the world looked to me as passed down the shady street on my way to school that fair June morningl The last of the apple blossoms and the first of the lilacs were filling the air with their fragrance; the robins and bluebirds seemed holding jubilee in the trees by the roadside, and the warm, bright rays of the sun were turning every dewdrop on the grass into glitteriDg gems.
 My heart was as blithe and sang as joyously as the birds, and it required an effort to keep my lips from giving expression to my feelings by joining in their song.
 It was the last day of my first month of schoolteaching, and MT. Farnham, the treasurer of the district, had just paid me my months salary of twelve dollars. Most people would think this was small compensation for four weeks teaching, but, with board, it was the usual price in back-country districts.
 1 was only sixteen years old at the time, and this was my first season as a teacher. This twelve dollars a month seemed small fortune to family as needy as was ours, and particularly SO to 8 girl who never before had enjoyed the pleasure of owning a five-dollar bill.
 It was Friday, and at the close of school that night I could return to my home, four miles away, and as I walked along I anticipated the pleas ure with which l should put into the hands of my dear, hard-worked mother this, my first contribution in money to the family support.
 Father had died four years before, leaving i've children-four younger than myself-to be sustained by my mothers scanty earnings; so Charley, who was two years younger than I, had felt, like myself, a pride in trying to help lift the heavy burden from her shoulders.
 How rich we felt when he secured a place with one of the neighboring farmers for six months at six dollars a month, and was accepted as teacher in one of the outlying districts of the town at twelve dollars, thus securing an income of eighteen dollars month 1! How many comforts that would bring to our humble home!
 think no millionaire ever felt richer than did as I turned into the well-trodden path that led to the school-room door, and thought of my earnings in my pocketbook.
 was greeted with pleasant "Good morning, Miss Grahaml' from the children scattered about the play ground, and little Ruth Mason, my brightest scholar and particular favor ite, met me at the door and gave me a large bunch of fragrant lilacs. bent and kissed the pale little face, which, although it wore bright smile now, had usually sad expression, very pitiful for one so young.
 AS I arranged my flowers in a broken handled pitcher-the only sub stitute for a vase the school room atforded-I aummed lightly to myself snatches of a merry song.
 1t was time to open school, and talk ing the heavy, old fashioned bell I stepped to the window overlooking the playground, but paused before ringing and leaned out to inhsle the pure, fresh air, and to admire the beauty of the scene. Beneath the win dow was group of girls, talking earnestly, and not aware that was so near.
 "Well, if l was Ruth Mason" Anna Ransom said scornfully, "I'd stay at home if couldn't find anything bet ter to wear than that old faded patched-up calico dress and that hor- rid old poke of sunbonnet." She glanced complacently down at her own pretty blue cashmere dress, and the leghorn hat with its bright plaid scarf, which she was swinging in her hands.
 "By next week she will be coming to school barefooted, just as she did last summer" chimed in Hattie Bar. Der, another of my would-be fine lady scholars, who always echoed Anna'i sentiments. "If my father was such q shiftless stick as hers is, and couldn', give me decent clothes to wear, I'd stay at home. I know wouldn't show