The Van Buren press., 1899-04-01

eDo you know what day 1t is7' she
asked. presently. feeling her way care
fully
yes. that's why I died to-day"
was the answer. still VIII tight-shut
eyes
To-day is the day that Christ rose
from the dead to teach US that as He
rose, so shall we all rise" began Mrs.
Whitaker, gently.
Ruth was looking at her now. "But
7 can't rise she said. plainti7elyi
"seause you keep 'sturbing me"
You might"-Anne Whitaker drew
long breath, was it sacrilegions2-
you might play you had been dead
and7-sbe paused.
\ aleam of interest shoue in Ruth's
face But this isn't Heaven she
protested.
@The Kingdom Of Heaven is within
YOU Mrs. Whitaker quoted, with
both freedom and truth. as she ap-
preached the bed with outspread shawl.
at isn't Heaven. but we might be good
and make It seem like Heaven
The child put up her hand as if to
ward off the shawl
But God isn't here and mamma
isn't here
"God is everywhere" answered Mrs.
Whitaker; and Ruth looked about
half startled. But He IS a spirit and
you can't see Him" She dropped the
shawl over the child now, and as she
wrapped it about her she finished more
softly: "Your mamma isn't here, but
you might play for little while that I
was your other mother
Not my real mother?" Ruth asked,
wistfully.
"Oh no." Mrs. Whitaker said,
hastily; "only play mother
The child said no more. but let her
self be wound up in the shawl and sat
quietly on the edge of the bed while
Mrs. Whitaker brought out a pair Of
her long wooden stockings and drew
them over the little, hnresisting feet.
There was still a slight disappointment
in Ruth's face when the great, gray
shawl was fastened with a safety pin
firmly beneath her chin.
Now be careful when you 60 down
stairs and keep tight hold Of the banis-
ters;9 and Mrs. Whitaker came a step
behind with a firm clutch on the small
gray-shawled shoulder.
She placed the child in the great
rocking chair in front of the stove and
laid out all her goodies on the table;
apple tarts and cookies and preserves
and cold meat and bread and butter and
rich, warm milk Then she went up
stairs and brought down an old saeque
Of her own that Ruth might put on, and
so have her arms free; and they both
actually fell to laughing as she rolled
and rolled and rolled up the long hang
ing sleeves.
Mrs. Whitaker was amazed and fear
full when she saw Ruth eat; the little
girl, whose mind seemed fixed on
heavenly things, had hearty appetite.
At last, for fear the child might, in
deed, die from overeating, her hostess
suggested that they rock together in
the chair before the fire.
II always said that poor farm wasn't
rightly managed she thought. indig-
nantly; they don't have enough to
eat. | don't know but I'd better let
myself be put on that committee
At this moment little Ruth looked
up with a smile on her face. from which
all traces of disappointment were fast
vanishing. Il think this must be al
most as nice as Heaven; just but for
mamma"
Mrs. Whitaker smiled grimly. 81
guess Heaven is a good deal within us,
even with the poorhouse next door"
Hannah made an unusually long call
on her family. so Mrs. Whitaker
thought, holding the little, shawl
wrapped figure in front of the dining
room fire. But when at last she en-
tered, her mistress commands were
ready.
"Hanna, you go over TO the poor
farm and tell them that Ruth's over
here and going to stay, and I'll send
John for her things in the morning"
Hannah stood still, gaping, in the
doorway. We'll, never,"
she announced with her usual free
dom; what on earth have you ben
doin'?"
Anne Whitaker smiled with her lips
against Ruth's dark locks. Well"
she said. slowly, we've been having
a resurrection. You see, this little girl
came over here to''-she was about to
add ''to die" but changed it suddenly
'to live."-Frances Bent Dillingham;,
In y. Y. Independents