The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-03-22

ing our possessions to the caretakers.
l found it quite hard work to stoop.
my pockets We're so heavy. We had
hardly got the place fairly covered up
when the caretakers returned. They
noticed the work | had beeen doing.
l said my doetor advised physical ex-
ercise, and l thought bit of digging
would do me good.
Then my wife asked the woman IL
she could give her a nights lodging.
The woman looked at her. inquir-
ingly.
You see" said Ruth. I'VE have TAX
such fancy TO the house that my hus-
band has determined to buy it. and 1
would like TO sleep in it one night first,
to see if 1 should really like living in
the country"
MY wife is a very practical wo-
man." l added. land l daresay she's
right l will pay you for her accommo-
dation. and here's crown: and YOU
shan't lose by your courtesy to us"
Your wife's a lady. that's easy
seem" said the woman. taking my sill
yer piece; but I've only one bed. My
husband goes out O. nights. as you
know, | daresay | could make shift
somehow. though we amt bedding
enough to make up another. even on
the floor"
"Oh, we'll manage" said Ruth.
And if you don't mind my husband
will so home and fetch a shawl or
something; that will help us"
And SO it was agreed; and Ruth.
taking me aside, said: You can af-
/ ford hackney coach; you'll get one
at the Spaniard's or the castle Take
my basket, put II in the cupboard where
I keep the groceries. Here's the key.
Wrap up the money in my old shawl
and hide it between the bed and mat
tress. Come back to me IL you think
we'll; but first thing in the morning
go and complete your contract for the
house. Pay a deposit, and obtain per-
mission for US to take possession
Ruth was a Wonderfully business
like little woman.
AT any rate" she said I'VE must
never leave the place again." nor did
We
Yes, as you say. 1T is a beautiful
place now 1t was Ruth who chris
tened it Moorland Cottage. No: we had
no children. Ruth passed away at
eightysiX. She lived all her life, never
knew a day that was not happy She
spent a day every week at the orphan
age in the city. and gave literally tc
its funds. ! don't know how many
pensioners she had, mostly widows
but Vyse and West know. 1t was hei
taste that you notice in the garden
! Yes, l agree with you, I don't know {
prettier spot The house was always
what you call picturesque. No, l don
know that I grieved for Ruth. Missed
her, yes, miss her every day. But sh,
went so peacefully, was so content
SO assured. that we should meet again
SO satisfied that it was best that sh,
should SO first, she being such a gooC
housekeeper. and desiring to prepar,
the way for me, as you may say, that
am resigned Oh yes; | do believe il
the future, in another world. | hav,
reason, surely. Did | tell Ruth abou
her father? Oh. yes; told her every
thing. and ever since we had n prayer
offered up for his soul, and though
Ruth was a better churchwoman thar
| ever was. still | hope we are judset
by our works, and the money that was
sent to us we have held in trust. as
Vyse and West could tell you, and We
have lived on the increase Of it, giving
the rest to those who needed 1t; an
when I join Ruth. the Orphanage, the
Home D. Widows, the Society for the
Protection of Animals and a certain
trust for the visitation of the sick W II
get the remainder of the estate. And
SO I wish you goodbye, sir!-Joseph
Hatton.