River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-12-25
ed. Nice clothe.

The child was overjoyed. Nice clothes
and kindness soon developed her self
respect, and she loved her benefactress
as only young savage can love. She
was bright and quick, and learned with
surprising rapidity. The winter vent
by and she still remained at the Ray
nors. The summer and another winter,
and year after year slipped away and
she was still there.
At last Ruth was twelve years old.
and a very sweet and lovely Ruth she
had grown to be. Her comfort and joy.
however. were soon to end. One day
her mother came over to the Raynors
and told Ruth that they, the Hun ters,
were about to move tout West" and she
must go with them. Tears and en-
treaties were of no avail. The misera-
BILE, ignorant woman had long been
jealous of Ruth's affection for Mrs.
Raynor. and she now declared that Ruth
must come home and share the fortunes
of the family. So the poor child went
away with her unlovely family into
life that was hateful to her. For time
she wrote frequently to airs. Raynor.
but as the years went by letters came
less frequently, and at last, after the
Raynors removed 10 another town, they
ceased to hear from Ruth altogether.
Time moved on and brought sad
changes to the Raynors. One by one
the rosy-cheeked children sickened and
died, and Mr.. Raynor soon followed
them. Mrs. Raynor found herself alone
and penniless, for her husbands affairs
were in a bad way, and his property
had been seized by his creditors.
She struggled for time, but sickness
eventually overpowered her, and. as she
was destitute, she was taken to the
almshouse.
Here, on New Years morning she lay.
| helpless and sick at heart She put her
thin hand over her eyes to hide the
tears of humiliation which trickled
slowly over her cheeks. Silently she
asked herself how she had sinned that
she must be punished thus? Had she
not always given out kindness whee-
ever and whene yer she could? Had not
her heart always been full of pity,
mercy and charity, and her hands ready
TO help the needy? Yet here she was,
i'll, old and pauper. recipient Of pub
lie aims. at is greater than / can
bear" she groaned, as the full force of
her humiliation came Epon her.
Somebody began to sing in the next
room. 1t was poor old Nancy. one of
the county's feeble-minded children.
In gu lvering voice she sung:
Bread upon the waters cast
Shall be gathered at the last"
The words blazed before the brain of
Mrs. Raynor and she repeated them
| doubtingly:
Bread upon the waters cast
Shall be gathered at the last"
| All. but it was not true-the promise
III these words was not true, it was not
true. Had she not cast her bread upon
the waters in deeds of kindness, again
and again? Yet here she was, fOrsaken.
The tears gushed forth anew-tears of
such misery as many an eye which has
known sorrow is still stranger to.
The door opened softly. Somebody
entered, but Mrs. Raynor did not re-
move her hand from her eyes.
Mother" said an eager voice,
"Mother Raynor."
Who could call her mother? Surely,
every voice that had right to address
her by that name was hushed in death.
/ The next instant pair of arms were
about her, and young lips we're kissing
her faded ones Mother, my true
mother, it is /. Ruth Hunter. Speak to
me-"
After the first shock of JOY was over,
| Mrs. Raynor asked Ran how she
learned of hol misfortune. 1t was
easily explained. Mention of the fact
that the county had taken charge OF
Mrs. Raynor was made in one of the