The morning call., 1891-11-18
LOVE IN A LOG CABIN.
A." And this is home! -

Southern California, Win pain log caOiu
for home. Not vestige of a plant or
flower around il, not suggestion of COM
fort or beauty within 1t, hills stretching
brown and bare under the July sun. and not
a shade trre in sight
"One might know there never had been
woman near this place" said Ruth, her eyes
slowly filing with tears. 1t seemed so COM
fortress and barren after leaving her moth
er's old-fashioued farmhouse in Maine full
to OVERLOOKING with inviting, comfortable
things, and surrounded with flower gardens
and orchards, and where every nook and
corner suggested the deft hands and deli
cate hands of women. She felt her very
heart sinking within her.
Then seeing the eyes Of her husband fixed
upon her she forced back the tears.
Had she not sad, like the Ruth of old,
"Whiher thou goest, l will 60; and whittier
thou loigest l viii lodge?'
Would any place, no matter how full of
comfort it might be, ever be home without
him? Had she and her baby Ruth not wept
tears of JOY when the letter came telling
them that papa was coming from California
to take them home? Aud had not every
foot Of the way been a Joy to think he was
once more with him and that they ere To
have home?
She stroked the hand OF her husband, who
held their little Ruthie in his arms, smiling
through her tears.
Il know, dear, it is new country" she
said cheeifuilv. land you have done the
best YOU could"
1t was the traely wifely spirit, and in his
heart he blessed the true woman who
said II.
AN the ranches look kind of desoiate."
he said, where there's no one but men
about; but now we've got a little woman
here things VIII soon be looking .ffrrent"
In la % EOUSp q n =
neat al least. and that was great comfort
to her, AMI If the parlcT was barreu-looking
with no carpet upon il, the kitchen was
full of cOntrivances which women like,
and she knew that John had thought Of
them for her.
After supper they sat down on the little
porch in front of the cabin to talk of plans
for future work. 1t was just at sunset, and
as Ruth sat placidly looking III the view in
front Of her-W hich. after all, was fine
one. tax ing IN a glimpse Of the blue Pacific
and a background of purple mountain
she began 10 lose the undertOne of home
sickness which had 81 marTed her home
coming. She thought how beautiful a
home might really be under the shadow of
the lifted pines, and she resolved with
Johns help she could make hers one to
be proud Of. As If IN answer TO her thought,
John went into the house and returned In
moment laden with TWO parcels, which he
dropped into her Lap.
There, Ruth" he said, you can't guess
what these are, can you?"
a. am afraid not," Ruth said, cycling the
mysterious looking packages wonderlngly.
Well, Won know the house isn't very
beautiful vet" john said, his good face
fairly shining with the little secret he mad
In store for Ter; but l guess you'll fluid
something IN each of those parcels that Will
help you beautify it,"
What could he mean? Ruth took I'D the
lighter but larger one first. To her sur
prise 1t was full of garden seeds, small
packages Of every kind. almost, she could
think Of.
shall raise all the vegetables We need, and
our garden will rival dear mothers at
home"
"Yes," John replied land 90 ahead Of
II; for California beats the world for flow
erS, and your garden will he just as lovely
In winter as In summer. There are twenty
varieties of roses alone among that collec-
tion If seeds"
Isn't II wonderful TO think OFF" cried
Ruth, as delighted as child over neT treas
ures. Aud what can he in here?'' she
continued as she opened the seCoI parcel.
WONDERS Will never ceasr!' she exclaimed
the next moment, as he rOured whole bag
Of silver into her lap. And what is this
for?"
Ilirn, laughing at her amaZemeut.
'HGnest?' Sne looked at him, her brown
eyes sparkling.
ut IS for Mrs. Delano to do with as she
pleases," he said. 81 saved the money to
furnish the cabin with, and thought to have
it fixed up before you 'came, but concluded
on second thought that you could do better
than |; so there's the money Buv what
you llea5e and fix up the place to suit your
sell"
well, if you amt the best John In the
whole county," Ruth said. almost laughing
and CRYING IN the same breath. How could
she ever be hOmesick again?
And that night, ms cad Of crying herself
TO sleep, as she had thought tGat afternoon
to do, she lay awake from very JOY, thinking
OF the pretty things she could buy and make
for the cabin, and imagining how pictur-
esQUe it would look covered with Lady
Banks roses, and how sweet the violet beds
wCui be in the spring time.
And so the very next day she set the hired
man 10 work laying off a garden, and all
that week and the next she spent her spare
time in digging and hoeiEg aud spading.
The following week John took her to the
nearest town, and she selected the yarious
articles she desired for the house. She
managed 10 furnish it quite comforta bly,, and
under her deft fingers all things began TO
bear a homeli Ike air. The p ace lost is bar
rem ana shiftless look, and even the dog
Harold seemed to feel the change. lie no
longer wandered aimlessly about as though
seeking a comfortable spot, but went to
sleep picture of cOntentment on one of the
soft rugs in the stting-room, keeping one
zealous eye always half open upon his play
male, Ruthe.
The months sped by in spite Of all the
hardships she had to endure-for life is hard
for a woman in new country-on light
Wigs for Ruth. She made the best of all
her trials, and was as sweet and contented
as If she had been in the fair home they had
owned and lost Though often her limbs
ached and her head was weary with the
weight of work which fell to her share, she
never complained. Not once did she grow
fTetlul OF repr0sch her husband for taking
her so far from all that she loved.
He is doing the best he can" she always
said to herself, land what would palace
be without his love? Besides, how much |
have to be grateful for" And somehow the
remembrance OF their first evening in the
her eyes. IL was such real proof OF his
love and thoughtlulnes5 for her.
When the next spring heightened into the
summer, and her sweet face began to wear
tired look that he did not like to see, he
Came to her one evening, saying gravely:
Ruth, pack your trunk tonight; to-mor-
row l want 10 take you with NE to San
Diego. Important business calls me there,
and you and Ruthie both need a change"
But how can you leave the ranch" Ruth
asked, lust now when you are most
needed"
ION, Redly will take charge of the place,
and the men will work for him as well as
for me-"
II NUN uoblCcu HllH just lU6D very
carefully she might have seen a twinkle in
his eye that would have made her suspicious
as TO this business trip" to San Diego; but
like dutiful wife she packed up and asked
no foolish questions.
When they reached San Diego, much to
her surprise her husband did not 20 to a
hotel. de gave the coachman some dIrec-
lions, and they were driven to an elegant
looking house in the suburbs.
why, -! didn't know you had friends
here! exclaimed Ruth, In surprise.
"Oh. yes" said John, Il have number
OF them. This is the home of the best
friend j lave in the world"
"Whyp John nearly took her breath
away. She thought of her shabby travel
ing dress and Ruthless shabbier cloak with
dismay. but she made up her mind TO make
the best of it for Johns sake, anyway. A
lady could always be lady, no matter hoU
she was dressed.
A neat servant opened the door and
ushered them into handsome reception
room. The house was beautiful inside. ant
everything was new and of the latest fash