The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-05-27
LOVE IN A LOG CABIN.

SAAS WV . -
in Southern California, with a plain
log cabin for a home. Not Il vestige
OF q plant or flower around it not u
suggestion, OF comfort or beauty with
in it. hills stretching brown and bare
under the July sun. and not a shade
tree in sight.
"Gno might know thore mover had
been awoman near the place" sighed
Ruth, her eyes slowly filing with
tears. 1t seemed so comfortless and
barron after leaving her mothers old
fashioned farm house in tho state OF
Maine, full to Overlooking with in
wiling, comfortable things. and sur
rounded with flower gardens and Or
chards,. and where every nook and
corner suggested the deft hands and
delicate fancies Of m She felt
her very heart sink within hor.
She stroked the hand of her hus-
band, who held their little Ruthie in
his arms smiling through her tears.
Il know. dear, it Is a new country"
she said cheerfully, land you have
done the best you could"
1t was the truly wifely spirit, and
in his heart he blessed the true wo-
man who said it.
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 placid
~ looking at the view in front of her
which. after her, was a fine one.
taking in a glimpse OF the blue Pacific,
and a back ground of purple noun
tains-she began to lose that UNDER
tone OF home sickness which had SO
married her home coming. She
thought how beautiful q home might
really be under the shadow of the
lifted peaks, and she resolved with
help. she would make hers one
to be proud OF. AS if in answer to
her thought John went into the house
and returned in a moment laden with
two parcels which he dropped in her
lap.
There. Ruth, he said, you can't
guess what these are, can your"
Il am afraid not" Ruth said. eye
ing the mysterious looking packages
wonderingly.
well. you know, the house isn't
beautiful yet" John said, his
good face fairly shining with the lit
lie secret he had in store for her;
but | guess you'll find something in
each of those parcels that will help
you to beautily it,"
What could he mean? Ruth took
up the lighter but larger one first.
To her surprise it was full of garden
seeds; small packages Of every kind,
she could think OF.
We'll, how lovely!' she said.
Nov we shall raise all the vegeta-
bles we need, and our garden will
rival dear mothers at home"
YES" John replied, and go ahead
OF it; for California beats the world
for flowers. and your garden will be
Just as lovely in winter as in summer.
There are twenty varieties Of roses
alone among that collection OF seeds"
isn't it wonderful to think of?n
cried Ruth, as delighted as a child with
her treasures. And what can be in
here" she continued. as she opened
the second parcel. 'Wonders will
never cease" she exclaimed the nest
moment as she poured a whole bag OF
silver into her lap.
"AnI what is this for?'
10 buy yo"r parlor furniture. he
replied, la gning at her anna emcnt.
Wei. if you aren't the best John
in the whole country" Ruth 80 :,
almost laughing and crying in th,
same breath. How could she ever be
homcs:ck again?
And that night. instead of crying
herself TO sleep, as she thought tina
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 picturesque il
would look covered with Lady Banks
roses. and how sweet the violet beds
would look in the spring time.
And SO the very next day she sci
the hired man to work laying OF g
garden. and all that week and the
next she spent her spare time in dig.
ging and hocing and spading. The
following week John took her to the
nearest town, and she selected the
various articles she desired for the
house. She managed to furnish il
quite comfortably, and under her def
fingers all things began 10 bear {
home-like air.
When the next spring heightened
into summer, and her sweet face began
to wear a tired look he did not like t(
see, he came to her one evening, say.
ing gravoly-
':Ruth, pack your trunk tonight
Tomorrow ! want to take you with
me to San Deigo. Important bushes:
calls me there, and You and Ruthie
both need a change"
"But now can you leave the ranch. ,
Ruth asked, lust now. when you are
most needed?'
'NOh. Redly will take charge of thu
place. and the men will work for hin
as we'll as for me-"
If Ruth had noticed linn just thel
very carefully she might have seer
twinkle in his eyes that would hav'
made her suspicious as to this ''busi
moss trip" to San Diego; but like {
dutifulwife she packed up and aske'
no foolish questions.
When they reached San, Diego. mucl
to her surprise, her husband did no
go to an hotel. He gave the coach
man some directions, and they wer
driven to a charming looking hou5
in the suburbs.
why. I didn't know you hat
friends herel"
'Oh, yes" said John. Il have
number OF them. This is the home Q
the best friend / have in the world.
"Why!'
John nearly took her breath away
She thought Of her shabby travelin
dress and Ruthie's shabbier cloak wit
dismay, but she made up her mind
make the best of it for Johns sake
any way. A lady could always be
lady, no matter how she was dressed
A neat servant opened the door an
ushered them into a handsome receI
ton room. The house was beautif,
inside. and everything was new an
~ fLo 1,toe{ foelio,