The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-01


preaching departure for the conserva-
tory.
81 am sure that 1 could earn enough
for course at the Art academy if you
would let me-" said Ruth, eagerly.
"Eearn it?" repeated her father.
How do you mean, child?"
Ruth unfolded her plan, which was
to find a position in d dry goods OF
millinery establishment in the city,
and remain in it until she could save
enough to pay for lessons at the Art
academy.
Her parents listened attentively un-
til she had finished. then her mother
said. decidedly: Il cannot let you do
that, Ruth"
No said Mr. Fulton, at is not to
be thought Of
But" began Ruth.
My dear" interrupted her mother,
you are too young and inexperienced
to go to the city alone in that way"
Il am nearly II, mother" urged
Ruth.
You must give up all such plans.
Ruth, said her father. IF l had the
money it could be managed. I could
then place you with some responsible
family where you would be safe while
you were going on with your studies.
What you could earn would only pay
your board in some cheap place where
the associations would not be desirable.
Wen not discuss it any further"
Mr.. Fulton's tone was one which
Ruth knew we'll His decision could
not be altered.
Perhaps we shall be able to send
you next year." said her mother, hope
fully.
Ruth did not answer. Il might as
we'll give up all thoughts of making
anything of myself" she thought, bit
terly. I've got to go on from day to
day in this humdrmu way"
My child, it is a disappointment to
us also. that we cannot give you the
advantages that you would like to
have said her father sadly
Ruth felt suddenly ashamed. A re-
membrane came to her of the many
trials and disappointments which her
father had had in life. some of them
within her own knowledge, and others
of which her mother had told her.
And he was always so patient!
One day, in the latter part of sum-
mer Mr.. Fulton received a telegram
from Boston calling him to the death
bed of an aunt. When he returned it
was with news that took away Ruth's
breath. Her aunt, after whom Ruth
had been named, had left the latter
$1,000.
A thousand dollars! Why, it was
too good to be true. 1t was just like
the wonderful things that she had
read in books. She could with diff
Guilty realize it.
us it mine to do as l wish with?'5'
she asked her father.
Yes" said Mr.. Fulton, you may
use it as you please. There are no re-
strictions at all. 1t is in the bank for
you"
ooh. how splendid; Now" turning
eagerly to her mother, you will let
me go and study at the Art Academy.
That will surely be enough money.
Mrs Fulton smiled Il knew what
you would do with it, she said.
Eyes, you may go now.
Yes, added Mr. Fulton. 81 was
going to suggest that you use the
money for that"
"When?'' asked Ruth, eagerly.
"Just as soon as l can find suit
able boarding place for you" returned
her father.
ct feel as though it were all
draem," said Ruth, after her going
had been discussed at length
"a very substantial dream" smiled
her mother.
And when her father had written TO
able boarding place for her, and her
mother was preparing her clothes,
Ruth felt that it was indeed reality.
Her great desire was to be fulfilled at
last.
one morning she went with some
work to the house of Mrs. Smith
near the village, who sometimes did
sewing for her mother. She found her
very sick in bed, and old Sally West
a neighbor, in attendance. The latter
accompanied Ruth to the gate when
she left to go home.
Il am so sorry for Mrs. Smith. She
does look very sick" said Ruth.
ITS hard work that has done it.
said Sally. sharply. And that son of
hers away off. Farmin' wasn't good
enough for him. Here's his poor old
mother a-dependin' on strangers"
doesn't he do anything for her?'
asked Ruth. She remembered Thomas
Smith as an ambitious young man who
had gone to eNw York two years be-
fore to make something of himself"
Not a thing. He's as much as he
can do to take care of himself. He'd
a sight better have stayed here and
worked as his father did before him.
Seems like children don't think of
their parents these days-only of their
own notions If his mother dies now,
I wonder how he will feel?"
At sunset that evening Ruth strolled
down to the stile that gave communi-
cation between the garden and piece
of meadow land. 1t was a fayorite spot
of hers, and she had spent many hours
there constructing Castles in Spain.
Never. she thought, had the view been
loyelier than this evening-the long
line of distant hills hathed in golden
light, the river winding among them
like a thread of silver. the deep hush
of the evening hour broken only by
the far-off thinking of bell. But
other things than the beauty of the
landscape filled her thoughts as she
sat there She found it impossible to
throw off vague feeling of uneasi-
ness which had taken possession of
her Sally Vests words that morning
had awakened it. Was it right for her
to leave home as she was about to do?
Certainly her parents were willing to
let her go, but they were always ready
to sacrifice themselves for her. Her
fathers affairs were not in a flourish
ing condition. How much $1,000
would do for him! And. after all, she
might fail. Others with even greater
talent had done SO. Her mother was