Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-06-03

as soon go 10 the as y4uh ah~ o0 No"N
with it, Mrs Manly"
"Inasmuch as We have done 1t unto
one of the least of these, ye have done
A. unto me-" murmured Mrs. Manly.
softly
Mrs. Mani, rose 20 go, with dis
appointed air.
"Then you will not take even one,
Miss Ruth?"
Not even one, Mrs. Manly" returned
the griu spinster.
well, am sorry, but you are the
best Judge, of course"
I'D like TO oblige you, Mrs. Manly
But what to do with young one
wouldn't know, I'm sure. ! couldn't do
It."
Then l will not urge IL, Miss Ruth
OF course. il you change your mind be-
tween now and the time the children
come you can let the committee know.
There is always room"
"All right. But 'tisn't at all likely l
shall change my mind" said Miss Ruth,
grim as ever.
Miss Ruth had plenty of means, and
| not soul 10 fill that great old house eX-
cepting herself. her stout maid, Betty,
and the co!ored boy who acted as gen.
eral factotum.
She went into the kitchen, and the
| first thing Betty had 10 say was that the
J neighbors on both sides were going 10
take one or two children for a month
from the relief committee. and Betty
thought j. was so nice TO have the dar-
] 4
from getting lonesome.
Then. worst - all. in the afternoon
Betty required q certain muslin bag for
straiuing iell-, and it could not be
$ound, strange ~ say, In that method
! zeal household. Miss Ruth had 10 go up
TO the rarret for a piece out OF whlch
10 make another bag. And SO she
CHANGED 10 open certain trunk in the
garnet. by the side of which she sat
down and sighed.
For there. preserved in camphor and
lavender, through 50 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 old graveyard, under the
willow trees.
1t seemed as if. while she sat on the
floor in the garnet, she could see Tilly'S
blue eyes looking up into her face, and
hear Tillys tender voice saying: isis
ter. remember the time when we played
together. and do it for my sake" Miss
Ruthie got her muslin. shut the trunk
and marched downstairs TO the kitchen.
Betty" said she, "do YOU think
we ought 10 take one Of those chill
.lren?"
Law, yes. Miss Ruth! Why don't
req" said Betty. her plain face light
ing.
Put children nre nuisances. Betty
N'es. Miss Ruth. but they're Kind o
.omtort;n' after all"
well, make your jelly Betty. Mind
and don't let it burn"
Next morning Miss Ruth walked de-
liberately into the Office Of the ladies
relief committee.
I'll take one" she said, sternlv.
"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 Hasltins, as she wrote the
name.
"A girl" replied Miss Ruth, promptly
lord knows what III DO with her
though; l DON'T"
The ladies exchanged glances. which
were not lost on Miss Ruth.
''Be at the depot Tuesday morning
next week. TO receive your charge,
said Miss Haskins.
every we'll" Miss Ruth turned rount
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 al
the depot. So were great many others
prompted by curiosity, and, when tn,
train came in, Wellsvlle had never seer
such crowd.
Names were called and places as
signed as fast as the efficient committed
Of ladies could do it.
Miss Ruth Pau,-one girl-here!-
came at last. And Miss Ruth marched
up 10 tN platform TO receive her charge
\ little thing of eight. with yellow curl,
and blue eyes and a white face. dressed
in blue calico dress, wearing a ha'
which had evidently been the property
Of some young lady, was assigned e
, ISIS Ruth. with ticket no. A.
"Come on" said Miss Ruth. leading
the way TO her carriage She had driver
herself TO the depot, simply because 81,
would not be seen in the village witt
the child following her. Not yet. a
least
"Climb I'M" she said loosening III,
pony's straps. The little one was inside
directly.
ooh. what pretty curriape!" sh'
said, patting the soft cushions. "Is &
yours?" and she smiled MP into Mic
Buth's face
aye WIS Your n.7oc. c'il17N
~ Iv"