The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-09

OhO SOuld 10 81 ud1o 40 LOe
to love and be kind to little children.
Then, worst of all, in the afternoon
Betty required certain muslin bag
for straining jelly, and it could not
be found, strange to say, in that
methodical household. Miss Ruth
had to go up to the garnet for piece
out of which to make another bag,
And SO she CHANGED to open certain
trunk in the garnet, by the side OF
which she sat down and sighed.
For there, preserved in camphcr
and lavender, through SO many years
were the garments belonging to the
being Miss Ruth had most loved on
earth, the little sister who died when
she was only ten years old, and was
buried down there in the graveyard,
under the willow trees.
Perhaps, if she had lived, Miss
Ruthie wouldn't have been the hard,
grim woman she was. "Sour old
maid" the Abbott children next door
called her. But Miss Ruth had her
good points, after all.
Honest and truthful to the core,
strictly just, yet generous when she
found occasion, there was a warm
heart hidden away under the shell
which SO few had pierced.
1t seems as if, while she sat on the
floor in the old garnet, she could see
Tilly's blue eyes looking up into her
face, and hear Tilly's tender voice
saying, Sister, remember the time
when we played together. and do it
for my sake" Miss Ruthie got her
muslin, shut the trunk and marched
down stairs to the kitchen.
Betty" said she, "do you think
we ought to take one of those chill
dren?'
claw, yes, Miss Ruth Why don't
yea" said Betty, her plain face light
ing.
"But children are nuisances,
Betty"
"Yes, Miss Ruth, but they're kind
O. comfortin' after ALL"
"Well, make your jelly, Betty.
Mind and don't let it burn"
Miss Ruth walked out of the kit
chen, up to the great sitting-room
which seemed so lonely and empty.
She sat down to knit upon the inter
minable black silk stocking which
was intended for her own wear, and
wondered how it would seem to knit
pretty little stockings, soft red and
blue zephyr and saxonY, for pretty,
dimpled feet. And Miss Ruth sighed
and Tilly's picture on the wall looked
down mournfully at her with its ten
der blue eyes.
Next morning Miss Ruth walked
deliberately into the Office OF the
ladies relief committee.
"I'll take onep' she said, sternly.
"All right. Miss Haskins, put
down one for Miss Paul, said the
lady in charge.
ASK her if she wishes a boy or
girl?" said Miss Haskins, as she
wrote the name.
GA girl" replied Miss Ruth prompt
ly. Lord knows what I'll do with
her, though; 1 don't"
The ladies exchanged chances,
which were not lost on Miss Ruth.
BE at the depot Tuesday morn
ing, next week, to receive your
charge" said Miss Haskins.
"Very WE'LL" Miss Ruth turned
round and walked out. "They think
I'll eat the childp she muttered to
herself. "But | won't E'
"Will it do, Nellie" asked Miss
Lewis, doubtfully, indeed, after Miss
Ruth was gone.
Miss Haskins smiled.
" Well try it awhile, anyhow. She
has grand old home, and plenty of
everything"
On Tuesday morning the people
who promised to take children were
at the depot. So were a great many
others, prompted by curiosity, and,
when the train came in, Wellsville
had never seen such a crowd.
And oh, the children that came
pouring out of every car! Pale and
sickly, every one of them, clad in
faded calico dresses and old hats and
sunbonnets, some with their little
bundles, some with nothing, every
style and complexion-black-ha
brown haired, yellow haired-all
ages, from five to thirteen, and all so
surprised and delighted to be in the
real country, where everything was
so green and fresh.
Names were called and places
assigned as fast as the efficient COM
mittee ladies could do it.
"Miss Ruth Paul-onegirl-herel"
came at last. And Miss Ruth Paul
marched up to the platform to re-