The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1898-08-16
were not lost on Miss Ruth.

bC 40 tHC uSpOu lutSudy morning,
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 child" she muttered to herself.
"But | WON'T"
On Tuesday morning the people who
had promised to take children were at
the depot. SO were great many others,
prompted by curiosity. and, when the
train came in, Wellsvlle had never seen
such a crowd
Names were called and places as
signed as fast as the efficient committee
Of ladies could do it.
miss Ruth Paul--one girl-here!"
came at last. And Miss Ruth marched
up to the platform to receive her charge.
little thing of eight, with yellow curls
and blue eyes and white face, dressed
in a blue calico dress, wearing a hat
which had evidently been the property
of some young lady, was assigned to
Miss Ruth, with ticket No. a..
Come on" said Miss Ruth, leading
the wayto her carriage. She had driven
herself to the depot, simply because she
would not be seen in the village with
the child following her. Not yet, at
least!
Climb in!" she said, loosening the
pony's straps. The little one was inside
directly.
"Oh, what pretty carriage!" she
said, patting the soft cushions. as it
yoursP" and she smiled up into Miss
Ruth's face.
"Yes. What's your name, child?"
"Tilly."
My goodness! Miss Ruth gave start.
"Tilly what?"
"Tilly Truax."
SIS your ma in the city,"
II hain't got no ma, nor no pa"
who takes care of you, then2'
81 live with Aunt Lou"
"She is poor, isn't she?"
"Yes'm. She's got three children of
her own. They wanted to come, but
they was too big. Aunt Lou washes for
folks"
''Humph! No wonder you look half
starved Is that all the dress you've
got?"
Nom. I've got pink dress, that a
lady gave me, in this bundle. Aunt Lou
said it wouldn't do, but it's real pretty,
think"
Undo your bundle and let me see."
lilly unrolled the paper, and showed
the remains of child's pink tarlatan
party dress.
"Humph! You can take that to dress
dolls With" said Miss Ruth, with a sniff
Of disdain.
This is the place." she said, stopping
the carriage. Jump down, childl"
she couldn't say lilly yet-but she
would, after awhile!
Betty" said Miss Ruth, walking into
the big, clean kitchen with her visitor,
here's the child. Get her a bowl of
bread and milk"
Law, Miss Ruth! Did you really take
one?" And Betty's hands went up in
surprise.
Eyes, did. Do you like milk, child ?"
II don't know" said the baby, shyly.
Don't know! Didn't you ever drink
milk?"
mo ma'am. I've seen it, but I never
tasted it. Aunt Lou couldn't afford to
buy it,"
Betty, be quick! Leave the cream
on. Come here, Tilly, and see if you
like pure, country bread and milk"
lilly proved that she did by eating
the last drop in the bowl. Miss Ruth
would have offered her more, but she
did not want to make the child sick the
first thing.
"Are you tired?" she asked, when the
bread and milk was finished.
"Oh, no, ma'am."
Then here is a sunbonnet; you may
go out in the yard and play. Do you like |
to play on the grass?"
II guess would like it," said Tilly,
sweetly. ~ never tried it,"
Good Lord! Is there no grass in New
I orkY' asked Miss Ruth.
"Yes'm. Lots of it in the parks. But
he police don't low you to step on it,"
well, you can step on it here. Go out
now, and do-do just whatever you're
4 mind to!"
Miss Ruth gave lilly little bedroom
next to her own and undressed her with
her own hands.
where's your gown, child?" she
said.
II hain't got no gown" replied lilly.