Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-12-25

rags with dirty baby on her lap allnf
she had heard Mrs. Raynor's request
"D0 as ye like about H. said tho
fond father "Young uns are most too
thick around hore,m
well, yo ken take her, y said Mrs.
Hunter nodding to Mrs. RaynoE IAN
II she don't like 1t over there among
your young uns she can come back any
day This was said In tho most inde-
pendent and airy fash ion, as though
there was every possibility that Ruth
might not like life in the Raynor fam
lily at all.
Mrs Raynor smiled as she thanked
Mrs. Hunter, and then she took Ruth
home with her,
The child was overioyed. Nice clothes
and kindness soon developed her self
respect. and sho loved her benefactress
as only young savage can love. She
was bright and quick, and learned with
surprising rapidity. the winter went
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 very sweet and lovely Ruth she
had grown to DO. Her comfort and 10Y,
however, we're soon to end. Ono day
her mother came over to the Raynors
and told Ruth that they, the Hunters,
we're about to move ''out West, and she
must go with them. Tears and en-
treaties we're OF no avail. The misera-
BILE, ignorant woman had long been
jealous of Ruth's affection for Mrs
Raynvr, and shc 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 a
lifo that was hateful TO her. For time
she wrote frequently to Mrs. 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
we're in a bad way, and his property
had been seized by his creditors
She struggled for time, but sickness
eventually oyerpowered her and, as she
was destitute, she was taken 70 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 triclled
slowly over her checks. Silently she
asked herself how she had sinned that
she must be punished thus? Had she
not always given out kindness wher-
ever and whenever 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. II is greater than ! can
bear" she groaned, as the full force OF
her humiliation came upon her.
Somebody began to sing in the next
room. 1t was poor old Nancy, one OF
the county's feeble-minded children.
In quavering voice she sung:
Bread upon the waters east
Shall be gathered At the last
The words blazed before the brain OF
Mrs. Raynor and she repeated them
Bread upon the waters east
Shall be gathered at the last
All, but it was not true-thc promise
in 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, forsalIen.
TIE tears gushed forth anew--tears OF