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

n
Il long, long after the wreath Of flowers ha
n faded, even from memory, the influence {
if those kindly feelings foatered in the youn
d heart, moulded and adorned the destiny G
a the man.
!. And now came the roasting OF the tui
/ key. The grandmother avered, SIT shonl
: have been on full hour ago'-and so ih
mother seemed to have thought, from tn
quckness with which she made her prePa
rations. All, however, decided it wortl
waiting for, and so merriiy was ushered ii
The long looked for, much desired Thanks
giving dinner.
When the bell rang for church, all were
ready; no one was to remain at home bu
grandmother and mother, and happlei
, se, Of little faces or hearts, whose true Ian
r guage was true gratitude for favors receiv
ed. did not enter the sacred house that day
{ TO be sure. the sermon seemed long; and
the Thankspiviug Anthem. with its usual
number Of Halelpja abs, could not keep the
j attention of the children. John put bis
cap on, and Billy bultoned and unbutt1n
ed his coat, until Martha touched him T.
be sllll--but the longest day must have an
and; and laughing, shouting, noisy party
they made when a turn in the road bid the
church. the minister, and the deacons from
| sight.
j With long steps, and quick steps, and
running, home was soon reached, and the
f impatience grew the greater, as every OBJ
i s,acle was overcome, nothing remained
but putting nicely in their places. their
best bonnets and caps, and waiting the ar
rival Of the guests.
/ Grandmother, dressed in her deep frlll
ed cap, white as snow. bound around hel
: bsad, with broad black band, the emblem
Of her long widowhood. Her bombazine
short gown and petticoat, and her never
IDLE knitting needles, were the very per
sonifcation Of happy, yirtaous old age.
And the baby, upon the rocker OF whose
cradle her foot never forgot task, grown
from long use into habit, was, to stran-
gers eve, an almost grotesque image OF
herself. The same mild blue eye, the
same round forehead, the very nose, inclin
ling to pug even like hers; and 10 complete
the resemblance. the child was to bear her
name. though changed from the old fashion
ed Betty TO the more modern Bessie.
j Soon there began few small knocks on
The door. The children came first, and il
was strange to see with what feeling o;
awe. they looked around. Familiar as eg-
ary object was to them, Thanksgiving
ike an actual living personage-had
thrown the antlc Of holiday attire over
The well known furniture. Even the era.
die and its white .robed occupant, with
whom they had so often romped, IN the
full freedom of childish glee, seemed plac-
ed at a distance from them; and they SAL
lon their foot-stools, around grandmother
and looked up in her well loved face, with
a new feeling Of reverence stealing into
their hearts. And now came louder and
!, more characteristic knocks, and soon joe.
and Henry's, and Mar,ha's and Betsy's
and James families; all were there; all
we're now present but Sans city ladies
and gentlemen, and Susan. the bridegroom
Martha, and James, the boy, who was al
most an outcast.
!, Grandmother, with her large warm heart.
was the life Of the scene. Not child,
not grand child, but what she had ready
Tor il a kind word, pleasant loving word,
words winch they remembered, when the
mex. Thanksgiving came around. And
here, brothers and sisters, parent and chill
; iren, between whom rolled the waves OF
} Time, ever leaving them farther and far.
ther apart. met once more, mingled their
joys, and their sorrows, with that unwont-
ed lreeness which such an occasion alone
can give; drank once more Of that founi
&c love which had opened upon them with
their being, and hard, toi-worn men and
care oppressed women, as they many oi
Them were. not heart among all but into
it stole ligb, and warmth from the fire on
The family altar.
i another, you bear your age well!' said
her first born. "See" he continued, as he
laid bis own grey head, as he used TO do
when boy, upon her knee, "did you ever
expect to see your 'liitle crow headed Jo
sv,' as you used to call me, with such white
locks as these?"
.'God has been very merciful to me, my
son." said the old lady with tremulous
voice. s.IIe has spared me many years
after He has taken away my usefulness.
But" and here she placed her hand up,
IN his head, "lle has spared me to see you
all together once more, and TO give to you,
ia His name, my blessing"
Sand TO hear US all arise and call you
blessed" said Hannah, with emotion.
sAmenm added the minister, who had
inst entered. "God's blessing attends
those whose lives have been spent in His
service"
This unexpected new conner produced
quite sensation arouudthe room. G,and
mother wiped away the tears with which
her eyes were overfiowipg. and said almost
aloud, II knew it; / knew something was
going TO happen; but where IS Martha!
and Susanf and there is James-poor boy.
thought they said he would be here.
But the arrival Of the clergyman seemed
TO be only the signal for other unexpected
new corners. In moment very merry
bells we're heard jingling up TO the door,
stylish buffalo, with bright red fringe, was
hastily thrown off, and disclosed to the
watching eyes Henry Lawson. the Young
blacksmith, known for some time as Su.
4 sans accepted lover, Susan herself, Mar