The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-05-28

s salsse, aUu ss1s. sli q lEI siy tsg 81
herself, few mib6its after, well, now II
that don't beat all. dare say its Susan, poor
: child, she hasn't home any where. And
, there, | shouldn't wonder if the baby was a
. going to be baptised, tco"
But grandmother kept her own council, and
was none the wiser for her suspicious. Though
she insisted on knowing, "where in the world
I did the boy get the thingsl"
Edward was reluctant at first. He preferred
/. to surreuDd his exploits with a little mystery;
but he was too good hearted Ooy lorg to resist
entreaty, and the whole story was told.
He bad hired hlmself out to Mr.. Hopkins, a
rich farmer; had worked like a man. Mr. Hop.
kins himself said, and he had given him, to pay
him, the last turkey he had, and half dollar
for present; but he wanted Martha to look
dressed up, and all he could think of was the
wreath he had seen hanging in the bonnet shop.
She looked SO pretty with a rosebud 10 her hair,
he thought she would like roses So there they
we're. But he said, looking around to his moth
er, ''I hesitated between her and you, mother
only you always look just as handsome as a
picture to me, and couldn't find any thing
that would make You look better"
A loving smile rewarded the boy; and long
long alter the wreath offlOwers had faded, even
from memory, the influence Of those kindy
feelings fostered in the Young heart, moulded
and adorned the destiny Of the man.
And now came the roasting of the turkey
The grandmother averred lit should have been
on, full hour agO'-aud so the mother SEEM
ed to have thought from the quickness with
which she made her preparations. All howev-
er, decided it would be worth waiting for, and
50, merriIy was ushered in, the long looked for
much desired thanksgiving dinner.
When the bell rang for church, all the fam
lily were ready; no one was to remain at home,
but the old grandmother and mother, aud
happier set Of little faces or hearts, whose true
anguage was true gratitude for favor received,
, did not enter the sacred house that day. To be
sure, the sermon seemed long; and the thanks
giving Anthem, with its usual number Of Hal
, lelniahs, could not keep the attention Of the
children. John put his cap on, and Billy but
toned and uubnttoned his coat until Martha
! touched him 10 be quiet-but the longest day
must have its end; and laughing shouting,
noisy party they made, when turn in the road
hid the church, the minister, and the deacons
from sight.
With long steps and quick steps and run
ming, home was soon reached aud the impa-
thence grew the greater, as every obstacle over
come, nothing remains but putting nicely in
their places, their best bOnnets and caps, and
waiting the arrival of the guests.
Grandmother dressed in her deep frilled
cap, white as snow; bound around her head,
with broad black band, the emblem Of her
long widOwhood. Her bombazine short gown
and pettCOat, and her never idle knitting need
les, was the very persOniiicatlon of happy, vir
tuous old sge And the baby, upon the rocker
of whose cradle her foot never forgot task,
grown from long use into habit, was, to a
. strangers eye, an almost grJtesque image of
, herself. The same mild, blue eye; the same
round forehead the very nose, inclining 10 pug
t even like her; and to complete the resemblance
the child was to bear her name, though chang
. ed from the old fashioned Betty to more mod
&, ern Bessie.
|, Soon there began to be number of small
5 knocks upon the door. The children came first,
and it was strange to see with what feeling,
4 amounting almost to awe they looked around.
! Familiar as every object was to them, Thanks
l giving-like an actual living persOnage-had
, thrown the mantle of holiday attire over the
; we'll known furniture. Even the cradle and
., its little white robsd occupant, with whom they
had so often romped, in the full freedom Of
a childish glee, seemed placed at distance from
them, and they sat upon their foot stools around
r grandmother, and looked up in her well loved
5 face witha new feeling Of reverence stealing
I into their little hearts. And now came loudel
and more characteristic knocks, and soon Joe s
and Heury's, and Msrtha's, and Betsys anC
t James families, all we're there; all now presen
$ but James city ladies and gentlemen, and Sus
an, the bridegroom, Martha, and James, th'
4 boy, who was almost an OutCast.
: Grandmother, with her large, warm heart
was the life Of the scene. Not a child, nor
y grandchild, bu she had ready for it kindword
:. pleasant, loving word, words which they re
y membered when the next Thanksgiving cam
e around And here, brothers and sisters, paren
!, and children, between whom rolled the wave
n Of Time, ever leaving them farther and farthe
apart, met once more, mingled their joys ant
d their sorrows, with tnat unwonted freenes
7, which such an occasion alone can give; dranl
rs once more Of that fount Of love which had open
10 ed upon them with their being, and hard, toi
worn men and care-oppressed women, as they
It many Of them were, not heart among them all
d but into it stole lightand warmth from the fir
'r on the family.
'Mother! you bear your age we'll !" said he
y his own grey head, as be used to when boy
= upon her knee, 'did you ever expecttO see yOul
8 little crow headed JOsy,' as you used to cal
me, with such white locks as thesei"
e ''God has been very merciful to me, my son,
% said the old lady with atremulous voice. "Hl
u has spared me many years, after He has takeI
/. away my lsefulness. But" and here she placet
i her feeble hand upon his head, He has spares
lie me to see you all together once more, and t
x give 70 you, in His name, my blessings"
|, "And to hear US all arise and call you bless
h ed, I" said Hannah, with emotion.
= "Amen I' added the minister, who had Jus
d entered. Goods blessings attends those who's
N lives have been spent in his service"
lie The unexpected new conner produced quite
rs sensation around the room. Grandmother wiz
ed the tears with which her eyes were overflow
l. ing, and said almost aloud, 81 knew IL kRe-
= something was going to happen, but where
re Marthaf and Susanq and there is James--po
v bOyl | thought they said he was not to