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

iron animals, which had for so many long
years presided over her freside. The carpet
which had been made rags, boarded care.
fully for that purpose, was swept SO clean
that it really looked almost handsome and
Martha's duster had removed, again and
again, the slightest speck that had ventured
to alight upon the well rubbed furniture
Every invitation has been given heartily
and as heartily accepted Even the letter to
uncle Sam, 10 Boston, has not been negIec-
ted. though its composition and chirography
had cost poor Martha more trouble and anx.
iety than all the other preparations, and nc
notice had been taken of il by the grand re.
lation to whom it had gone. The little ar.
rangements, like the wedding, and the chris.
tening, had been kept a secret between the
elder members Of the family. Grandmothe,
had not heard breath of it, though she ex-
pressed little surprise when Bessie's bes
white dress and the christening blanket were
placed before the fire 10 air.
Since the breakfast of that morning, Ed.
ward had not been seen. His mother missed
him, and his father needed him hundred
times but he was nowhere to be found and
just as they were becoming quite impatient
at his delay, there was soft tap at the back
door, which Martha's listening ear immedi.
atcly caught. Ii made good deal of com.
motion, for it was much earlier than any Of
the visitors were expected, and the holiday
dresses were not yet put on; but quickly
smoothing her already smooth hair, Martha
opened the door.
There stood Edward. His cap was thrown
back, exposing to full view the happiest, hand.
soonest face his mother thought she had ever
seen; and handsome, truly, he was, for his
fine features were lighted with that greatest o.
all beautifers-a happy consciousness of hav.
ing succeeded in an attempt TO make other:
happy. Upon his arm he carried a large bas
ket; 1t was very large one, and he bent ovel
it as if he lifted it with difficulty.
No one spoke; so marching into the middle
of the kitchen, he put his basket down upon
the table, and said Good morning, grand
mother! happy Thanksgiving 10 you And
good morning, Mr.. and Mrs. Norton l have
come TO spend the day with you, and for fear
you might not have dinner enough for such a
hungry boy as | am, have brought twelve
pound turkey with mel So saying, he united
the paper from that part of the basket through
which he had kept the 'drum-sticks, with
great difficulty. from obtruding into sight, ant
drew forth as fat and fine a turkey as eve
lived and grew to grace Thanksgiving table
well, done, Eddy said his father. ST
that is the reason why you thought our goost
would do as well as turkey, was it1 /, fo
one, never suspected you
Nor L. said his mother, with proud smile
though have wondered about it great deal
and now we have every thing that heart cal
wish, and thanks 10 our children for a grea
part of it,
No, MOTHER said Edward, looking littl,
bashful, and lifting paper carefully, from thu
bottom of his basket. Martha is to be, yol
know A look from his mother checked
him. We'll, Martha is TO be an importan
parsonage, and her money, that she had savet
for the new dress has gone, and so thought
just to fix her upa little, and make her lool
sort of whitish, | would bring home wreatl
of white flowers, to put around her head
Now, Martha, shut your eyes. There sale
he, laying the wreath as gently as if it hat
been of living flowers, upon her head, DON
she look like alike al mean, like goot
sister as she is
6 She looks like BRIDE said the grand
mother, taking off her spectacles and wipine
them. 'We ANITA going to have wedding
here, are we, John! And the old lady smiled
knowing smile, and Mrs. Norton heard hel
saying to'herself, few minutes after: well
now if that don't beat ALL dare say it's Su
san, poor child, she hasn't home anywhere
And there, shouldn't wonder if the baby wa
a-going to be baptized, too. But grandmoth
er kept her own council, and was now tn,
wiser for her suspicious. Though she insisted
on knowing, Where in the world did the boz
get the thingsp
Edward was reluctant at first. He pre-
ferred to surround his exploits with a littl'
mystery, but he was too good-hearted boy Il
resist entreaty, and the whole story was told
He had hired himself out to Mr.. Hopkins, /;
rich farmer had worked 'like man. Mr.
Hopkins himself said, and he had given him
to pay him, the last turkey he had, and hal
dollar for present; but he wanted Martha Il
look dressed up, and all he could think of wa
the wreath he had seen hanging in the bonne
shop. She looked so pretty with rose-but
in her hair; he thought she would like roses
So there they were. But he said, lookin:
around to his mother, Il hesitated between he
and you, mo,her-only you always look jus
as handsome as picture 10 me, and couldn'
find anything that would make you look BET
ter
A loving smile rewarded the boy; and long
long after the wreath of flowers had faded
even from memory, the influence of those kind
ly feelings fostered in the young heart, mould
ed and adorned the destiny of the man.
And now came the roasting Of the turkey
The grandmother averred, lit should have bee
on full hour ago'-and SO the mother SCENE
to have thought, from the quickness with whic
she made her preparations. All, however
decided, it would be worth waiting for, and SC
merrily was ushered in the long looked for