The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-10
From the BALTIMORE Patriot.
From the Baltimore Patriot
OUT OF WORK:
STORY FOR
II III A N X GIyING EVE.
BY ANNIE SOUTHCOMB.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I. s1es.. .t.H s.-
The rain fell in torrents; the demon of the
storm shriek'd through the now deserted streets
like the voice of an angry spirit, while the
windows ratified and branches of lealpSs
trees grated harshly against the paues Itwas
cherries Thanksgiving Eve without. but in
the well furnished parlor of Mr. Atwood, all
was gaiety and happiness. Tea was over; the
family had adjourned to the parlor; the
bright cheerful CRATE filled with glowing an
thraciie, aifused an air of comfort through the
apartment Mr.. Atwood was merchant of
well established reputation for wealth, and a
man who, by careful examination, was able to
form estimate of tie actual value of the SER
vices Of every one in his employ, and one who
: would pay 20 the last fsrthing the wages due,
but would invariably put them down to the
lowest possible cent. He had been looking
over the numerous gifts with which the CEN
ire table was loaded, when his daughter and
son entered the room.
Well, Ada" said he, 6 how do you pur-
pose spending Thanksgiving?o
90, Pa, you know we have dinner party
to-morrowp'
Yes, PAP said little haxen-haired girl by
his side. g You ought to see the turkeys and
pumpkin pies. Such a heap; and o, this many
cakes, (stretching out her little arms to indi-
cate the quaatity.) Ma has so many good
things for Thanksgiving. And have new
dresses, CATERS, and o, such darling little
bonnet. Q, ain'r glad to see Thanksgvngl''
Ada, has your new dress come in?- asked
Mrs. Atwood, on entering the pa,for.
"No," said Ada. Snow don't you think it
provoking. That hateful Mrs. Castleton has
disappointed me. She sent note Informing
me that it would be impossible to get my dress
done, as her child is sick; and, as it is Thanks
giving, she wants the day to attend to some
necessary matters for the family. Her child
sickl The little brat; it would be good thing
IL all poor sick children were dead, am sure
And Thanksgiving, too! What impui ienee!
What is Thanksgiving day to her, more than
any other day! declare some of these poor
people do put on airs. And then she had the
audacity to send to see il could let her have
the little bill owe her, to get something for
Thanksgiping!" F
"And Of course you gave it to her, Sis?'
said her brother, tall, handsome looking
young man, of perhaps twenty-one or twenty
two years, who had been apparently absorbed
in the persual of a paper, but notwithstanding
had been listener to the conversation.
"Of course I did no such thing! Charlie.
Do you think am going to pay away the last
cent, when you know have spen.so much to-
day forpresents. Just look on tina. table, and
You can guess the extent Of my finances.0
Oh, sister, could you refuse to pay just
debt, andsquander away so much money USE
lessly. For shamel"
"Now, Charlie, don't go into one Of yonr
Forrest attitudes! did not refuse to pay it,
but told the girl that, when she brought my
dress home, she should have the BILL"
Who is making your dress, Ada?" said
Mr., Atwood, looking up. = 50,
Mrs. Castleton.''
'sCastletonl Why, that is Fred Castleton's
wife. He is a clerk in my counting-roem.