The mirror., 1919-03-06
THE OLDEST LOVE STORY
The Eighth Book of the Bible is the Story Of Ruth the
Great Grandmother of King David
Mrs. Geo. Goslins, in Bundle Of Sticks"

NdOIul pduSCu again bO dTSuo Will
them forgetting her own loneliness
and grief,at parting, she tried to
show them what she thought was
best for them, explained to them
how uncertain Was her future, how
perilous and exhausting was the
journey she was about to take, and
the certainty that she could pro-
vide no more husbands for them.
Orpah finally acknowledged the
wisdom of Naomi's words, kissed
them goodbye with many tears
and professions of love and re-
turned to her home. Turning to
Ruth, who still fingered, she put
her arm lovingly around the weep
ing girl and said: ''Wilt thou not
return with thy sister-in-law to her
people and her godsg" And Ruth s
answer is familiar to us all: En-
treat me not to leave thee. Tor
whittier thou goest I will 60; thy
people shall be my people, and thy
God shall be my, God; where thou
diest l will die and there will l be
buried; the Lord do so to me, and
more also if aught but death part
thee and me-" Such love and
loyalty Naomi could not resist, So
hand in hand they started on their
journey to Bethlehem.
Upon their arrival many friends
and neighbors recognized the older
woman and exclaimed: rs this
Naomi returned to her own peo-
plo2" receiving the answer, Cal
me not Naomi; call me Mara, for
the Lord hath dealt very bitterly
with me-" The meaning ef Mao.
mi in the Hebrew language being
happiness and Mara sorrow.
When the travellers came tC
Bethlehem it was the beginning OF
the barley harvest, and Ruth saw
at once a way to work for the sup.
port of herself and Naomi, as il
was the custom of young women
to work in the fields as cleaners
after reapers.
Naomi had a wealthy relative
living in Bethlehem, who was very
fond of her before she went away,
and Ruth begged permission oi
her mother-in-law to 60 and work
in the fields, hoping that perhaps
she might find chance to speak 8
good word in Naomi's behalf.
When Boaz visited that part OF
the field he noticed a stranger
among the cleaners, and attracted
by her fair face and graceful man
ners. inquired of his overseer who
she was. The servant, with the
curiosity which was the same ther
as it is today, had found out all be
could. Boaz Immediately intro
duced himself to the blushine
Ruth, thanked her warmly for hel
devotion to Naomi, and claimed
her as his relative and guest. He
told her to 60 to no other field te
work, and to CLEAN no more, only
to gather enough for Naomi anc
her own needs. He charged biz
men servants to treat her respect
fully, to not hinder when she took
her sheaves home with her, and tt
provide her with food and drink.
Ruth told a happy tale to Naom
when she returned to her after tht
days work was done, and founc
her mother -in-law surrounded by
sympathizing and loving friends
who had cared for her during tht
day.
Ruth continued to work il
Boaz's field till the end of the har
vest, being allowed to do enough
work to provide for herself ant
Naomi.
Boaz improved many opportuni
ties to converse with the winsom'
Ruth, and found her each da.
more interesting and lovable, whil'
Naomi was busy evolving man!
matchmaking schemes in be-
mind to help make happy tho lif'