The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-11-25

taken no butter, no sugar, no tea, nor an,
of the articles that could be saved, for, q
she reasoned to herself, "every little help
ed," and by and by, when the time fairl,
came, she could tell her parents what sh'
had done to lessen the expected expense
But Mrs. Norton's watch(nl eye had lonl
since noticed the sacrifice that Martha wa'
making, and had not only OWNED the
cause, but as far as it was possible she hac
aided her. She bad, however, refrained
from making Martha aware that she had
discovered her secret, for she wished her tc
have the pleasure OF making it known te
her,
| And joyful surprise it was to all the
family, when one morning after breakfast;
Mr. Norton inquired Of his mother, "lf she
should ieel well enough to like TO keep
Thanksgiving"
"Whv--yes, my son. you know we al
ways do that, and hope you always will.
so long as your old mother is with you, y
answered the grandmother.
"But, mo,her," interposed Mrs. Norton.
90 longer able to keep still, "we mean q
great Thanksgiving, a regular old fashion
ed one, such as you used to have when you
we're 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
lady; "what! not aH!"
Eyes, Sans and Joe's, and fienry's,
and Mar,ha's, and Beisy's, aud James
families
"Why, Hannah interrupted the grand
mothers flush Of emotion and pleasure
passing over her face, such as i, had moi
known for years ''ll would best you al
ou, 10 have so many, besides the expense =
"Never mind The expense dear mother,
we have planned il all, and by being care
tnl, and doing withou, few things, we
shall have nice supper lnst as yon used t.
10 old times, and am sure if there was
ever family who ought 10 thank God Tor
his goodness To them, it is we, for his hav.
ing spared you so long TO US, moiher!
The old lady's gentle heart sent tear
10 her eve-it was her only answer; and
amid the rio.ous rejoicngs Of the other
members Of the family, the breakfast
broke up
.And now my Children" said the moth
er, as they all focked around her, "yon
have, each oac, something to do TO help get
ready. Your father is poor you know, and
YOU are hearty lil,Ie things to feed. and II
costs much TO cothe you; but we will have
the best, if You are willing to help"
"Wha. shall do? and |? and IL" cried .
half dozen voices togcther-'only tell US.
that is all!'
swell, one at time," said the mother.
laughing, "and first, my good Martha! your
mother has known what you have been do
Ii ing all summer; and grandtnolher's
Thanksgiving party could hardly have
taken place, but for your constant and IN.
tirine willingness to do without
A rich blush passed over Mar'ha's face,
and CLEAN Of sunlight into her SOUL
She loved the words OF her gentle mothers
appreciation, and she loved, too, the smile
Of Die ssure which lit up the faded eye Of
her dear old grandmother. The children
all looked wonderingly at her; and Ed
ward, a fine boy oflhirteen, with toss OF
his curls from his brown forehead, said, che
might have been doing something, too, il
he had been told bu, be did not know how
II man could be expected to do when he
did no, know anything was 10 be done."
"You hare been doing, my boy, all sum
mer,n said bis mother, with quick con
sciousness of the discomfort which his
words implied. 81 will tell you how,
when we are alone; and now put on your
cap and take two Of the best squashes you
can find, and run with them to squire
Jones. dare say he will buy them, and
that will help towards the sugar"
"Oh, no, mother! Billy is big enough to
take those, and have plan oi my own
ony don't let any one ask me what il is!'
"very wel-aud Billy has gone alrea-
dy, sec FOR the sqnashes.'
Ia one hour all Of the family were busy
in doing such things as they were able, to
belp forward the event. Even little John.
who had not seen his third summer, set
upon the floor, and picked out all the speck-
ed apples from the baskets which were
placed before him. But, for grandmother,
what tim, it was! She, old lady, for The
frs, hour, felt all the care and responsible
ty. Her cane nigh, be heard, now follow
ing after Martha's light footsteps, 70 see
what she was doing; now. going towards
the door ofthe paa1ry. To be sure, Han
nah had not been able to do anything for
her-ard happy and proud was she when
she found paper Of raisins, declaring that
with s.her new spectaces, she could stone
them as well as anybody seated herself
by John. TO be sure "tbe darling little
creature picked the apples over WE'LL
Edward had disappeared before the tasks
were allotted where, or for what, no one
knew; but he was good boy, and il was his
parents principle to trust him until they
found lie was not right--and now com
menced the first good Of our New England
festival. A large family. with whom from
year to year the liring was 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 press
ing wants, were now, for ono day, not only
TO indulge in that FREQ holiday feeling
which rests the heart more than the body
but they were also to enjoy the luxury
of making others happy. |, is one of the
4 II, hat fo,.