The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-04-06
THE MISSIONARY BLOCK.

30, mamma" exclaimed Ruth Fen.
ton as she came bounding into the
house upon a crisp autumn day, eve
have thought of just the incest way
of helping you big people fit up that
box to send out West"
"I'm all attention" And Mrs Fen
ton smiled encouragingly into the
rosy face before her
"Well," and, dropping upon a stool
at her mothers feet, Ruth continued
you see, in the first place, we're 60
ing to make quilt, and, as grandpa
would say, it's to be a very fine quilt
and curious quilt
Indeed" laughed Uncle Jack, much
amused at his niece's enthusiasm
"Yes, sir; for there are to be some
very fine blocks and some curious
blocks, because in the middle of each
one and upon the tours sides are to be
plain white patches, and ON each one
of these a name is to be written; and
every one whose autograph appears
upon our quilt is to pay ten cents for
! the honor"
"Wheww cried her brother Bob.
you are too kind. l must beg to be
excused"
Don't fiatter yourself, SIR" return
ed his sister, merrily. "Do you sup.
pose | would send poor, hard work.
ing missionary any Of your handwrit-
ing to ruin his eyes upon?
"There wouldn't be any room for
you anyway; for, Of course, my own
name must go in the middle, and then
there will be papa's, mammals and
Uncle Wills for three more places,
and I'm going to ask my old gentle.
man to write in the last one"
MY, what privilege he'll think It
is to part with ten cents for the sake
of having his name go down to poster.
ity in that shape! l don't believe he
ever gave away a penny in his life!'
Il am sure it was very kind of him
to offer me the flowers" returned
Ruth, warmly; "and shall tell him
that he need not give me his name IL
he does not wish to-"
jun ANCti a NClJ SOOu
here interposed Mrs. Fenton. at
seems as though he must sometimes
be very lonely, even If he does prefer
to live alone"
Devoting herself to her sewing,
Ruth soon completed her block; and
the following morning, after the 9TH
ers had written their names upon it,
she started out briskly in the direction
of Raymond Pages cottage, which
was situated upon the outskirts of the
town.
Her heart beat somewhat faster as,
drawing near, she discovered the one
she sought in his front yard, busily
engaged in covering an tying some Of
/ his rOsebuShes for the winter.
He did not seem to see her at first.
and it gave her a great start when
he suddenly faced around and said,
Pm sorry | haven't my roses for you
to-day, Miss; but perhaps we can find
something that you will think worth
carrying away"
30, sir" stammered Ruth, with a
I frightening color, IL should like
/ the flowers very much; but came to
! ask another kind favor to-day"
"A-ah. that's good, that's good" he
repeated, his bright eyes looking out
| qucstioningly from under his bushy
eyebrows. but, you see, I didn't
know chat had anything but flowers
that a little maid like you would fan.
! cy."
Ruth thought Of what Bob had said;
but, producing her patchwork, and
plunging boldly into the subjetc, she
had soon made the matter clear to her
attentive auditor.
"Humph!" he grunted, as she finall,
concluded her explanation. "Wha
made you think I'd helpT Despite hi
sober face. there was a twinkle in hi
eyes which helped Ruth to say: "Wh,
sir. 1t seemed to please you to give m,
the roses. So l thought you might b.
glad to do something for someone
( else.''
wise little woman" he responed
and now the twinkle broadened into {
smile. We'll go into the house ant
see If we can find a pen."
"A pencil will do just as well. sir
as the names are all to be writer