Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-03-06
MY SISTER RUTH.


1t was my sister Ruth who spoke thus
to me, as leaned moodily against the
mantle in the sitting room, alter having
been told twice that supper was ready.
why don't you go TO support !
asked, in answer to her questions.
Il have to get the babies to sleep
first" she replied. "The little darlings
sleep so much better if get them of
quietly about this time But father is
eating, and you had better go and eat
too, while the gems are warm"
al don't want to eat while fathers
there, ;" | replied pettishly.
My sister quietly rocked the twins,
Joseph and Mary, without speaking
again, until father finished his supper
and CAME into the silting.room. The
babies were asleep then, and Ruth went
softly into the kichen, beckoning me
to follow her, which did
Ruth was seven years older than my
self, she was nineteen and / twelve.
Our twin brother and sister were not
yet one year old, and our mother had
died at the time Of their birth
Father had been away from home a
great deal during his married life; some
of the time on missions preaching the
Gospel, and at other times on business
OF his own. Mother had nearly always
been delicate in health, and Ruth had
learned to manage and take the over
sight Of home affairs with an aptuess
which would have done credit to a
woman much older than herself.
We were in almost destitute circum-
stances when mother died. Reverses
in business had brought us into debt, for
which our home had to be sacrificed,
and still more was due our creditors.
We were not IT CURED to 6 We posses.
sion OF the place al the time, because OF
mothers illness and death. But after it
was all over, father said to sister and me,
I'VE are now homeless, my lambs. with
all our other SORROWS; and | feel iriend-
less, hopeless and crushed to the earthl'
Then it was that FIST saw how brave
a woman can be in most trying couli
lions, and how much brave, true won.
an-be she mother or daughter, wife,
sister or lriend-may do ior man when
he is dis Outraged and sick at heart My
sweet, gentle sister Ruth looked up
quickly, and heroically answered that
sad speech OF fathers.
"Oh no, she said, mot so bad as
that, my own, dearest father Mother
has lett us, II i; true, and our condition
seems very lonely indeed. But let Us
be thankful 10 God that we are spared
10 each other. Let us not run the risk
OF grieving the pure, loving spirit OF our
dear departed one, by giving way to the
shirt OF grief and loneliness ourselves"
"My noble grip said father, taking
Ruth in his arms. THAT is so like your
angel mother. Always hopeful, always
ready with words OF consolation and
encouragement for others; forgetiul of
self and self.sufiering in the sympathy
that is felt Tor the pains which some one
else may be bearing; never uttering
sound of complaint, lest some one
might be disturbed by il. oh have
cause to be grateful to God for having
doubly blest me with such vile and
such a daughter. But oh, my darllng"
he continued, looking round on us all,
81 cannot tell you how it hurts me to
think of our having to separate and live
apart .
we are not going to do that, are
we2' l asked, startled at the suggestion.
"Ohr' that would be too hard father
said Ruth. LET us not think OF it. OF
course we will have to go from here, but
we will all have to live somewhere, and
let us stay together wherever we 60"
at is on your account, my daughter,
that have thought best to find separate
places for us to live in for the present."
said father. ''You are not strong
enough to take care OF those two young
babes, and keep house and do the work
for us all; it would be too much for you"
mot il, when you and Mark are at
home, and not otherwise employed, you
will take hold and help me, as know
YOU will; | can do anything live any
where and any way, father, il you will
onIy keep us together as a family" said
Ruth decidedly.
Father again thanked and blest her
for the heroism and seli'denial she mani
tested, and then we all talked and agreed
ON the plan OF renting a small place,
and staying together in it, trusting in
God to open up our way, and in our
determination to do whatever we could
find to do that would bring us living.
Father soon found two rooms that
he rented at reasonable price, and we
moved into them. Then he found en-
ployment for both himself and me, when
i was out OF school; and we earned
enough to keep us moderately well.
AS father said, Ruth was just lie
mother, so careful and cheerful always,
il was like sunshine to be in her pres
ence, so father and were both glad to
spend all the time we could at home.
And under her wise and gentle manage
ment, the little babies grew nicely, and
soon began to be interesting and attrac.
tive, so that liked to help take care of
them.
The time commenced to tell about,
when was cross and would not go and
eat supper with father, was the evening
before st. Valentines day. 1t was nine |
months since mothers death; long
enough, thought, so that father need !
not Rave been so particular as to forbid |
my going out, like other boys, 10 have |
fun IN posing valentines under doors |
and making noises to bring people out,
then running of so as not TO be caught. |
but why should such thoughts and |
feelings come to you tonight, Mark |
You know you were never allowed to be |
out evenings as many boys are, said |
Ruth Neither father nor mother ever |
approved OF such things They have
always thought it disgrace Tor children
10 scatter those ugly valentines about;
and have blamed older people fol- not