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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1879)
May, 1879. THE WEST SHORE. '3' AUNT RUTH. A SKKTCH BY AUOUSTA ALUtN. Ever since the Ruth of olden time gave utterance to her filial devotion in the vow, "Whither thou goest, I will go," has the name heen synonymous with all that is true and tender. Heauty is the acknowledged meaning of Ruth. Light and heauty arc akin; for at mention of the name, all that is shadowy in life melts away in a flood of soft, rich light; discordant sounds die away and all nature seems to swell and echo the sweet music of the name Ruth. My thoughts are of my childhood's day star, dear Aunt Ruth; shining so serenely through storm and sunshine, lighting up all the dark places of my crooked little path. I sec her now, with her slender form, her sweet face, with mild blue eyes and soft bands of snowy hair, put smoothly back from a brow so pure, that I love to fancy an invisible crown resting upon it. Who shall say that this was merely a childish fancy? I used to wonder why she was not wearing the precious jewels of wife hood; why she was still a maiden, blessing, with her sweet presence, a brother's home. Not until long years after the stars in the invisible crown shone with heavenly radiance, did I learn that in her girlhood's joy, a cruel disappointment fell like a blight upon her life, robbing it of all its bright promise and shrouding it in darkest gloom. Rising with a strength not of carthi she had buried her grief in her own heart, heaping its grave with the sweet flowers of charity and loving kindness, so that none who approached her sad dened at sight of the little grave, but all wondered instead at the rare fra grance of the mound of blossoms. Never once did the sweet garlands upon this grave in her heart fade, for every day and every night they were renewed. In loving lalmr she lost sight of self and lived only for others. Flitting here and there, feet, hands and heart intent upon the discharge of love service, she bore light and glad ness wherever she went. In the sick room, the hospital, the hovel and in all dark places it was the same. Even when the Death Angel liore a dear one from a circle, which was blessed by her presence, he went not in darkness, but in a flood of golden glory. In our home she bore the burdens of all with a never-changing cheerfulness. I shall never forget how she entered into all our little plans for work or pleasure, investing them with a charm which she alone could furnish. How the long task lost its tcdious ness as she beguiled the time with wonderful stories of her New England childhood! How easy a disagreeable duty when we knew that some of her doughnuts, "real birds, and licusts, and men, you know," awaited its perform ance. How hateful seemed the com mitting of faults when we saw her soft eyes sadden with a grieved look; and how delightful the doing of good deeds, when we liehcld her dear face light up with approval. The cattle and the horses knew her gentle touch and voice. Old Watch listened for her loved foot-fall. Kitty (Jray purred with gladness at her approach. Even the flowers seemed eager to please her, and budded, bloomed, smiled and nodded for her as they would for no one else. The pigeon." would flit about her without fear, and my delight knew no bounds one day when a wild bird rested for a moment upon her head. Her soul was a well-spring of good will toward all (iod's creatures, and a fount of love and sympathy for man kind. Old men and old women came to her for comfort, when chilled by the world's cold, and from her presence they carried hearts full of warmth, feel ing that after all heaven and earth are not so far apart as Ihey, in their trouble, had believed. Thoc opprcsocd by business cares rested in the (H-artful atmosphere surrounding her, j.nd when they took up their burdens again, thought them strangely light. Mothers, grieving over the dio liediencc of loved children, rami- to her for sympathy, and went away ringing new song of faith and hope. Young men and maiden brought to her the secret joys and sorrow of their heart. To the joy she added wcetnc, and ftom the sorrow she took bitterness; and so they went out into the world again with beaming faces and glowing hearts. Children gathered about her and received from her lips words which proved seeds of virtue, which even now re bearing fragrant flowers ami rare fruit in many land. When I was us years tll my foster parents sold the old farm and moved to an adjoining State, leaving Aunt Ruth as good-angel in the home of a sister. It was hard to leave the old familiar haunts, the dear little school-house in the hollow, and all the loved playmates of my infancy, but hardest of all to leave Aunt Ruth. Hut it wa ugtccd that in a short time we hould send for her and she should come to grace our new home. Every member of our family was equally Interested. Not u day passed without the formation of some new plan for her comfort or hap. pincss. We made flower-lied of marvelous length, and with great labor and mathe matical exactness I measured every lied and sent the result to her in a queer combination of words, figures and pic tured representation. We planted her favorite flowers and she was given a fuilhful account of the lichavior of each plant as it grew. i kittens and laml were taught to perform wonderful feats for her edifica tion, and the time drew near when our impatient waiting should have an end. Hut u letter came one day a letter with a tiny black marginand our hearts stood still while it told us that we were too late; that the one best loved by Aunt Ruth had already sent for her, and his white-winged messen ger hail borne her to a better homo than ours. At flrst our grief seemed too great for endurance. Then the sweet faith and trust which she had breathed into our souls, fell like a mantle of li(ht over our sorrow, and our mourning heart were comforted. So the years nil glide on, each bear, ing us nearer to her; and the radiant stars in the invisible crown still shine on, luring heavenward all earth pil grim who knew and loved Aunt Ruth. Tbi i the way a girl lijm- of n ywng man. She ats: TOM have akrd mr pointedly if I can matt von, and I have answered you pointed!) that I ui. I can many a man who !.. bfl to a different girl every mouth. I can marry a man who? main omia tion cem to he to join in gauntlet in front of ( hurc lie ami theater ami com ment audibly on the people who arc compelled to pas through it. 1 can marry man whme only mean of sup port i an aged father. I can marry a man who boal that any girl can he won with the help of a good tailor ami an espert tongue. I can nwry uih a man but I w o-n-t!
