Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-04-01


ing?' at
'Why-yes, my son, you know we always
do that, and hope you always will, so long as
your old mother is with you,' answered the
grandmother.
But, MOTHER interposed Mrs Norton, no
longer able to keep still, we mean a great
Ihangsgiving, regular old-fashioned one
snch as you used to have when you was little
girl; only you will be the grandmother now,
and they will be your children. We mean to
have them all"
All-all, Hannah = stammered the old la
dy 'what not aH2'
Yes, Sans, and Joe's, and Henry's, and
Martha's, and Betsey's, and Jane's families
Why, Hannahn interrupted the grand
mother, flush of emotion and pleasure pas
sing over her face, such as it had not known
for years. ll would beat you all out to have
so many, besides the expense
Never mind the expense, dear mother, we
have planned it all, and by being careful, and
doing without few things, we shall have
nice supper, just as you used to in old times !;
and am sure if there was ever family who
ought to thank God for his goodness TO them
it is we, for his having spared you SO long 10
US, inotbefn
The old ady's gentle heart sent tear to
her eye-it was her only answer; and, amid
the riotous rejoicings Of the family, the
breakfast broke uP.
And now, my dear children said the
mother, as they all flocked around her, you
have each one something to do 10 help get
ready. Your father is poor, you know, and
you are hearty little things to feed, and il
costs much to clothe you; but we will have
the best, ifyou are willing to help
what shall do? and ? aud ! p cried n
halfdozen voices together-'enly tell US, that
is alp
We'll, one at a time, said the mother.
laughing; and first, my good Martha your
mother has known what you have been doing
all summer; and grandmother's Thanksgiv-
ing party could hardly have taken place, but
for your constant and untiring willingness to
do without
A rich blush passed over Marthas face, md
a gleam Of sunlight into her soul. She low.
ed the words OF her gentle mothers approba-
ton, and she loved, too, the smile of pleas
ure which lit up the fading eye of the dear
old nr,In,nIhor The oh, Ill
wonderingly at her; and Edward, fine boy
Of thirteen, with toss OF his curls from his
brown forehead, said he might have been do
ing something, too, if he had been told but
he did not know how man could he expec-
ted TO do, when he did not know anything
was to be done.'
You hare been doing, my hoy, all sum-
mer, said his mother, with quick con.
sciousness of the discomfort which his words
implied. will tell you how, when we are
alone; aud now put on your cap and iake
two of the best squashes you can find, and
run with them to Squire Jones. dare say
he will like 10 buy them, and that will help
towards The sugar..
'Oh no, molher Billy is big enough to
take those, and have plan of my own
only don't let any one ask me what it is =
Very weIl,-and Billy has gone already,
see, for the squashes.'
In one hour all of The family were busy in
doing such things they were able, to help
forward the event. Even little John, who
had not seen his third summer, sat upon the
floor, and picked out all the specked apples
from the baskets which we're placed before
him. But. for grandmother, what time it
was! She. old lady, for the first hour, fel:
all the care and responsibility. Her cane
might be heard, now following after Martha S
light footsteps, TO see what she was doing
now, going towards the door Of the pantry
To be sure, Hannah had not been able 10 do
anything for her-and happy and proud was
she when she found a paper of raisins, de-
claring that with her new spectacles, she
could stone them as we'll as anybody seated
herself close by John. To be sure the dar-
ling little creature picked the apples over
WE'LL Edward had disappeared before The
tasks were alolted-where, or for what, no
one knew; but he was good boy, and it
was his parents principle 10 trust him until
they found he was not right ;--nnd now com
menced The first good of our pleasant New
England festival. A large family, with
whom from year TO year the hiring was a
struggle, and who, therefore, were in danger
of having their hearts soured and narrowed
by the necessity which compelled them to
bend and exhaust every energy to supply
pressing wants, were now, for one day, not
only to indulge in that free holiday feeling
which rests the heart more than the body
but they were also TO enjoy the luxury OF ma :
king others happy. 1t is one Of the relics of
our Puritan ancestry-ihat so fe'o such days
nre given us-days which we need, and
which especially our poor need. man
will drive the plough with steadier, srron.
ger hand, il il shall turn up to him occasion
ally bright flower, from the brown earth.
The children-and SO die grandmother, for
she had almost reached her second childhood
counted the weeks first, then the days, and
finally the hours, before the 9th OF Novem-
Der! and Time was no lasgard; he turned
his wheel, and sent around day and night
now with warm sunshine and mild genial
breezes, almost like the month of May-now
with cold and rain, and frost, and even snow