Year: 1874

round, and leads him q sorry life


"Of course you've heard the latest news.
Ruth. They say Amos Hillary and that
cousin Of Mary Wynn's are really engaged
Some one asked Amos If it was true, and
he didn't deny It. Well | must say | used
to think IL was some one else, but we are
all liable to be mistaken And Dorcas
looked slyly at the quiet figure in the big
arm chair But il She expected to see any
evidence Of deep feeling, she was disop-
pointed for Ruth went on knitting and
talking in her usual manner, and the in
quisitivo little old maid was forced to be.
licyc their wasn't really anything in that
affair, after all.


Dorcas talked away in an even strain,
upti Ruth groaned in spirit and wished
that something would occur to put stop
to her garrulity


A. last the merry jingle Of bells was
beard, and Ruth ran out to help her
mother cut Of the sleigh, and tell Of their
visitor, and then ran up to her own room
so glad to be alone--to think it all over


Yes she felt that it was truc--that the
love she had thought all her own was given
to another All the brightness seemed to
have faded out Of her life, and the future
looked SO dark, so drcary And the dark
eyes grew mournful, and the color faded
from the fair face, as she sat there in the
shadows, and recalled the happy past
And this lovely woman, with her grace
and rare accomplishments, what wonder
she bsciuates all who come within the
mngio Of her charms but thought him
40 uuhke The rest of his sex, so good, so
noble so far above them all


Soon the news Of the engagement was
confirmed 1t made quite a stir in the
quiet noighborhood.


Many wondered at Amos choice. What
did he want with city wife, fine lady,
with her airs and graees2 Amos had much
better have taken country lassie, who
knew what life on farm was, and could
take care Of the poultry, and understood
housekeeping, and could manage a dairy.
Oh, of course, he knew what he was about.
Hoped he wouldn't rue it 10 the end.


As many wondered at her choice. She,
who had lovers by the score to accept
Amos Hillary, a plain farmer-it was as.
tonishins. The lovers troubled themselves
very litde about what others thought, but
were wholly engrossed with each other.


Amos insisted that their marriage should
come of as soon as possible, and Alice at
his earnest solicitation, named an early day,
and left Hillsdale.


Time passed rapidly, aud in the lovely
month Of May Amos brought his bride home


What a futter her first appearance in
meeting caused What a turning Of heads
What an eager scrutiny Of the young wife !
No fault could be found with her charming
costume Her dress was of that soft, sill
very tint, so pleasing to the eyes Of the old
Quaker dame, and fitted to perfection the
graceful form. Her airy little white hat
rested lightly on the golden hair, and gloves
to match her dress completed the simple
yet elegant toilet.


Well might Amos be proud of the radi-
ant creature as she walked into that quiet
assembly proudly conscious that she was
the observed of all observers. After meet
ing, many came up to offer congratula.
tions among the number, Ruth. She ap-
preached, and, in her sweet digniiod way,
congratulated them on their marriage.


Many bridal parties were given the happy
pair, and Alice never wearled Of the round,
aud was always bright and fascinating when
surrounded by an admiring circle.


Amos declared he wished the festivities
at an end, that they might be allowed to
settle down quietly to the enjoyment OF
each others society. But to his grief he dis
covered that homo life was anything but
pleasant to Alice. She crave9 tho admira-
ton Of many, aud quiet evening at home
was utterly repugnant to her.


Too soon Amos realized the fact that he
had made fatal mistake. Alice, bright
butterfly Of fashion, was unsuited to be the
wife Of a plain farmer. She took no pains
to conceal her utter wcariness Of the life
she led, and her husband found he had mar
red in haste, to repent at leisure.


Time passed. Whether our lives are
happy or no, the summers come, the sum
mers 90, aud on the anniversary Of their
marriage, little daughter came to bless
them.


Amos hoped that the coming Of their
child would make stronger aud warmer the
bonds Of love that had grown strangely
cold Vain hope An unoying wife,
n careless, Indifferent mother Happiness
seemed to have fed their dwelling mover
more to return.


This year, that brought sorrow and care
to Amos Hillary brought only peace and
JOY to Ruth She found happiness in min
isiering to the comfort of others Always
busy, always cheerful, with a loving smile,
and kind word to every one, peace,
sweet peace came aud brooded in her
heart; and, if she ever thought Of Amos,
it was sorrowfully, for, with many others,
she knew that his was loyeless home.


Ruth had many good offers Of marriage,
but refused them all. She would laugh.
ingly tell her parents she was pre-destned
to be an old maid and Friend Miller, who
secretly feared that Ruth would give her
hand to some one Of her suitors, would ca.
ross his darling teuderly saying, "Ah,
Ruth, thee will change thy mind some one
Of these days, when the right one comes"
congratuating himself, at the same time, at
the non-appearauce Of the "right one"


His winsome Ruth How could he give
her up to any one? Aud the fathers eyes
would rest fondly on his child as she moved
defly about the old house, relieving her
mother Of many household cares. She was,
indeed, the household fairy.


Ruth was out in the garden. The April
sunshine streamed warmly down on the
buds where Ruth was busily engaged
pruning, clipping, and tying up the plants
She loved flowers dearly, and was never
happier than when tending her fragile
darlings. She was leaning over, gathering
handful Of sweet violets for the little vase
on the parlor mantlopiece, when she heard
footsteps, and Dorcas Jones familiar voice.


"Well, Ruth, here you are, sure enough,
tending to your flowers. What luck you
do have, child. As for me, il seems as If |
never have any at all. Either | forget to
water them, and the sun scorches the poor
things, the chickens get into the garden and
pick 'em to pieces, or Jower and Tib get
to frolicing, and just play the mischief with
them. left Mary Jane tending to the
apple Jelly, and came over to tell you about
p.or lt,a IIiilaru Lnaty no, haIai.