The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1899-01-11
: MISS RUTHIE'S CHARGE.

100, YOU see, Miss Paul, / came
rou;,. 20 find out how many you
would take" said good Mrs Manly, the
plump, matronly minister's wife, and
she smiled reassuringly at Miss Ruth's
grim face.
"Why, Mrs. Manly, | don't know any
more about children than n cat does
about Sunday" was her dry answer.
"Neyer mind that, Miss Ruthie; you
could learn. And this is just the place
for poor, tired, hungry little child.
You have big, empty house, a great,
cool, shady yard, plenty of fresh milk,
fruit, big garden, chickens, ducks,
everything a child loves! You might
take three or four"
"And they would chase the ducks,
worry the chickens, pull the flowers,
waste the fruit. spin the milk aud rack
ct and upset all over the house! lwould
rs soon 20 to the asylum and be done
with IL. Mrs Manly"
"Inasmuch MS We have done IL unto
one of the least of these. ye have done
IL unto me-" murmured Mrs. Manly,
softly.
Mrs. Manly rose to go, with a dis
appointed air.
"Then you win not take even one
Miss RUTH"
"Not even one. Mrs. Manly" returned
the grim spinster.
"Wcll, aIn sorry but you are the
best judge, OF course"
I'D like 10 oblige you. Mrs. Manly
But what to do with young one
wouldn't know. I'm sure. couldn't dc
IT,"
''Thcn I will not urge It, Miss Ruth
OF course, II 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 !
shall change my mind" said Miss Ruth,
grim MS ever.
Miss Ruth had plenty OF means, and
not n soul to fiji that great old house eN-
cepting herself. her stout maid, Betty,
and the colored boy who acted as gen
eral factotum.
She went into the kitchen, and the
first thing Betty had to say was that the
neighbors on both sides were going to
take one or two children for n month
from the relief committee, and Betty
thought It was so nice to have the dar-
Inns running around TO keep n body
from getting lonesome.
Then, worst Of all, in the afternoon
Betty required certain muslin bag for
straining jelly, and 1t could not be
found strange TO say, in that method
ical household. Miss Ruth had to go up
to the garnet for piece out of which
to 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 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 old graveyard, under the
willow trees.
IL seemed as II, while she sat on the
floor In the garnet. she could see Tilly's
blue eyes looking up into her face, and
hear Tlly's tender voice saying; sis
ter, remember the time when we PLAYED
together, and do 1t 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 to take one of those chill
drenP"
Law, yes, Miss Ruth Why don't
yep" said Betty, her plain face light
ing.
nut children are nuisances, Betty"
"les, Miss Ruth, but they're kind o
comtortm' after ALL"
"well, make your jelly, Betty. Mind
and don't let IL burn"
Next morning Miss Ruth walked de-
liberntely into the Office of the ladies'
relief committee.
"l'll take onel" she said, sternly.
"All right, Miss Haskins, put down
one for Miss Paul" said the lady In
charge.
ASK her II she wishes a boy or girl"
said Miss lIaskins, as she wrote the
name.
"a girl" replied Miss Ruth. promptly
lord knows what I'll do with her
though; | DON'T"
The Indies exchanged glances which
were not lost on Miss Ruth.
'Be at the depot Tuesday morning
next week, TO receive your charge,
snd Miss lIaskins.
very we'll" Miss Ruth turned rount
and walked out "They think I'll cal
the child" she muttered TO herself
"But WON'T"
On Tuesday morning the people who
had promised 10 take children were al
the depot, owere great many others
prompted by curiosity, and, when the
train came In, Wellsville had never seen
such crowd.
Names were called and places as.
signed as fast as the efficient committee
OF ladies could do il.
Miss Ruth Paul-one girl-hcrel'
came at last. And Miss Ruth marched
up TO the platform to receive her charge
A little thing of eight, with yellow curl,
and blue eyes and white face, dressed
in n blue calico dress, wearing a hat
which had evidently been the property
of some young lady, was assigned Il
Miss Ruth, with ticket No. 81.
"Come onl" said Miss Ruth leading
the way to 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. al