rphan daughters destitute. The eldest early assumed the
burdens of wifehood and maternity. Ruth was the second child. A girl of
high spirit, she quickly laid aside all false pride, and earnestly
sought to earn the bread of those she loved by the labor of her fair
young hands, until then strangers to toil. But where was remunerative
occupation to be found? Needy womanhood so closely crowded the few open
avenues of industry that it seemed as though there was no room for
another foot to gain a hold, another hand to struggle. To become a
teacher, or governess, was Ruth's first, most natural endeavor; but,
month after month, she sought in vain for a situation. She possessed a
remarkable voice and very decided musical talent. The idea of the
concert-room next suggested itself; but her naturally fine organ lacked
the long cultivation that could alone fit her to embark upon the career
of a singer. Her mind then turned to the stage; but, setting aside the
difficulty of obtaining engagements, even to fill some position in the
lowest ranks of the profession, she had no means, no time, to go through
a long course of requisite study, or to procure herself the costly
wardrobe indispensable to such a profession. She pondered upon the
possibility of entering that most noble institution, the New York School
of Design for Women. Here was meet work, hope-fanning, life-saving work
for feminine hands: engraving on wood or steel; coloring plates for
illustrated works; sketching designs for fashions to be used in
magazines, or patterns for carpets, calicoes, paper-hangings, etc. But,
on inquiry, she learned that a year's study would be needful before she
could hope to gain a modest livelihood through the medium of the
simplest of these pursuits. From whence, in the meantime, could her
mother, her sister, and herself derive their support? Next, she resolved
to resort to her needle; yet how small was the likelihood of keeping it
employed! and how poor the pittance it could earn as an humble
seamstress! True, she might learn a trade; but how was she to exist
meantime?

She stood erect in the midst of this desert of difficulties, perplexed
but undismayed, and still believing in, and steadfastly seeking for, the
work allotted to such weak hands as hers.

There is something magnetic in unflagging energy, and untiring hope;
they mysteriously attract to themselves the materials which they most
need. By a seeming accident, Ruth heard that an assistan