The Newtown bee., 1889-07-12
FRIDAY. JULY ls. 1889.
RUTH,s CHOICE.

Duihoh herselI, Tar, lat anu-Well, no matter about the age-ten years a widow with not over plenty of means, and the mother of three girls Miss Laura, the oldest and the beauty; Miss Isabel, al beauty also and musician beside; and little Ruth, who was regarded by the family as neither brilliant nor very beau tiful, but very useful to help mother and the sole servant 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 had just come back not much the better, as Mrs Damon could discover, for his long wanderings.
 '4We never need have expected poor Uncle Ed to make anything" she re- marked to her daughters, the night after his sudden return. He says he has saved enough to buy himself little house somewhere, but suppose that is all. I'm sorry, for I did hope he would have been able to do something for you, girls. But suppose we will have to make the best of 1t and treat him as well as we can. I do hope he won't try to buy house tn the city, for it won't help you to have shabby relations close by. l shall advise him, as his means are small, to buy over on the Jersey shore."
 Uncle Ed received this advice and con sented to adopt 1t, with sly twinkle in his gray eyes, which Mrs Damon did not notice. She rather expected to be asked to assist in the selection of the little place, but, us Uncle Ed did not Invite her to accompany him, she did not offer her services.
 At the breakfast table, this morning, Uncle Ed announced that the little house was ready for occupation and that he was going to take possession.
 "And now I want housekeeper," he said, in slow way, "won't you lend ne one of your girls, Marry"
 Everybody looked up us 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 york;" said Uncle Ed, "I'll hire kitch- en girl for that; but thought I'd rather have one of my own relations to look after things. ' You see I'll not have many years to live and l would like to be among my own kin"
 Nobody answered, so poor Uncle Ed went on slowly:
 'I'll tell you what I'll do. If one of you girls will go over to my new home and live there with mo, I'll give her her board and clothing while she stays, and whenever she marries I'll give her what ever l can for set-out. Now I'll leave you to think over 1t. 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 n chorus of eXclamations.
 Isabel leaned back in her chair and laughed till she was tired.
 "Wouldn't look pretty playing tho piano in Uncle Eds six by nine parlor with it's ingrain carpet and wooder chairs?" she exclaimed.
 "And wouldn't 1 feel like asking Co v Richardson to call on me in some muffy stuffy Jersey habitation?" cried Laura indignantly.
 ''It's pity,I know" said Mrs Damon ''but l don't see but what one of yol ought to go. It would relieve us; anC you know Uncle Ed would dress you he said so.'
 ''Dressu cried Laura, indignantly "Yes, calico gowns and cotton shawl' and maybe cheap alpaca for Sunday Thank you; not for me. Let Ruth go they'll suit her"
 'sIf ma Is willing will go," said Ruth speaking for the first time. "If Uncl' Ed feels lonely and wants one of us t' stay with him, we ought to go; and am wiling"
 "Well, don't you suppose you woul' be best for himgn said Mrs Damon thoughtfully. "It would leave more too, for the other girls, and then whei they marry they can help you"
 'sYou forget that Uncle Ed has prom ised her 'set-out, said Isabel, with scornful laugh.
 And Laura added:
 "A pretty sset-out,' no doubt. l don suppose, after his house is furnished Uncle Ed will have $50 in the world. G along, Ruth; I wish you joy of the bar gain"
 ''I.aura, Isabel, hushr said Mrs Da mon, reprovingly. ''If Ruth has min to go, you ought not to put any obstacle in her way. Let her do as she likes"
 When Uncle Ed came back, it was an nounced to him that Ruth had dc cided to superintend his establishment
 s''rhank you, dear" he said, laying hi hand on her head. ''Ill try tomake yo as comfortable as can. Win you b ready to go over day after tomorrow? i?
 "Yes, sir" answered Ruth.
 The girls had great deal of spor about her going next day, but little Ruth whose heart was warm with pity for he lonely old uncle, held firm and was read to go early the next morning.
 Uncle Ed invited the rest to go owe and see her installed in her new home Laura haughtily declined, but Mrs Da mon and Isabel resolved to go. Isabe enjoyed the anticipation of turning u her pretty nose at Ruth's humble quar- ters.
 They crossed the river and Uncle E told the ladies to walt at the office for few moments until he found some sort O a carriage.