Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-03-12
LIsBErH BROWNS THANKSGIVING
DINNER.
By EMMA GARRISON,

Simeon Brown stood in the doorway of his
fathers kitchen, in the early dawn Of q fair
May morning; his face shorn of all its wonted
loyousness, like an autumnal forest, when the
leaves has gone down behind the bleak, gray
hills.
1--we got to 60, mother" he said, at last,
addressing middle-aged woman, who stood
folding a small parcel, before the cleanly-
secured dresser, "and may as we'll 90 at once
come, say goodbye !"
Eyes, you've got to 60, an 1t ill break your
old mothers heart, Simeon, an bring down
her gray hairs in sorrow to the grave" she
answered, in petulant, grieviDg voice, as she
put down the parcel, and came and stood be-
side him.
mo, mother, no-don't talk so," he said
soothingly, ''you know I'm obliged to go-it1l
stay here ~
Yes, We can, Simeon-yes, We can, but
you've got above your old home, an yeur old
mother, an now"
Lisbeth!'
ulous complaining, but she put her apron to
her eyes, and rocked herself to and fro in the
abandonment Of utter despair.
d" shan't be gone long" continued Simeon,
bis voice trembling, in spite of all his efforts to
steady it, ''not more than two years at the
farthest, and then we'll all 60, and have nice
little home together, and you shall call your
last days your best ones"
Her face frightened up little, but she asked
half in hope, half in fear:
But if you fail, Simeon-if you fail, what
then?'
sudden shadow dashed out the sunlight
from bis brave, young face, but it returned
again in an instant, and his broad chest ex-
panded, and the muscular cord in bis bronzed
wrists worked visibly as he replied:
Il shall not fail, mother ?"
His strong faith somewhat reassured her
and she looked up almost cheerfully.
"Well, maybe you won't, Simeon-I hope
90, at any rate-you always was a good boy,
an trust the Lord III help you.'
g trust so mother; the suns most up; /
must be of; take care Of yourself while I'm
gone; good-byen'
I" Goodbye, Simeon; good bye, my good boy
that never gave his old mother a cross word
or csssed her moments trouble in his life
God bless you 20
He held her in his arms for moment and
then turned to hi, father.
Good bye, father; do the best you can until
return :"
Goodbye, my son; Gods blessing 60 with
you"
90 Here, Simeon, stop moment ~ called his
mother, as he turned toward the door, "I'd
most forgot 'em, an I made 'em on purpose
for you-some o. the seed cakes you always
liked 50 well, think Of your old mother when
Simeon dropped the little package in his
pocket, drew his hat over his eyes, and stepped
out.
Faith Hunter, his foster sister, was awaiting
him in the yard.
I'm going down little piece with you, Sim
con, she said, and 50 you need MT bid me
goodbye"
I" He drew her hand through his arm, and
they walked on side by side down the winding
pathway, the dewy pastures and browning kline
around them; aud overhead, the crystal heav-
ems emblazoned with the saffron dawn -tints of
the opening day; she, waiting for him to speak
first, and he irresolute as to what he should
say.
There was, in his heart, a great tide of feel
iRg which had been steadily deepening and
gaining strength ever since a winter night six
teen years before, when his mother came home
from the death-bed of a friendless widow,
bringing with her little, helpless habe and
told him that she was to be, from nenceforth
and forever, his sister. And she had been,
and even more than q sister, perhaps, if such
a thing be possible. Side by side they trod
the howery paths Of childhood, sharing every
pleasure and pain, and joy and sorrow, almost
the same existence; hand in hand they en-
tered upon an un.ried road of youthful antici-
patton; but now they were about to separate
and all the mighty love, which had grown up
in the youths heart, and strengthened with
his strength, was struggling Hercely for escape,
but he resolutely kept it back. No matter if
that timid little girl at his side was dearer to
him than all the rest of the world, than his
own life even, he must not speak 1t to her then
She was nothing but a child, and he had NO
home, no inducement-nothing but his strong
hands and brave, young heart to offer her.
Yet how could he leave her, how could he 20
away, without some slight assurance that he
would not be quite forgotten''
His love was great and strong, and entwined
itself about its object with an unyielding clasp
that could not be torn away without almost up
roofing life itself; he knew and felt it, and
trembled at the bare possibility of being for
gotten.
"Fsith," he said, at last, making an effort
to steady his voice, ..do you know that 1 am
sorrsr to leave you % than any one else, not even
care you, Simeon ?" she asked innooentIy,
uplifting her trustful eyes to his face.
"Yes, am, Faith, and want TO know il
you'll quite forget me when I'm gone away p"
Why, how could i, Simeon, when you've
been 80 good and kind to memo indeed,
shall never forget your
And will you be glad to see me when I
come back, Faith ?''
ask?'
"Because I want to know-you'rs sure
you'll be glad ?"
"Very sure, Simeon"
Every we'll, I shall be back in q year or 90,
and shall expect you to keep your promise
81 shall keep it-and you've given me 50
many little things, that I want to give you
something, and I've nothing but thiseit's my
little Bible-I want you to to take it, Simeon,
and think Of me when you read it's
His strong hand trsmbled as he unfolded the
little package. It was q pretty, delicate
thing, dsintily bound in morocco, with q silver
clasp, inscribed with the simple word, Faith
His eyes filed mp with tears as he looked at il.
"I I don't know how to thank you fer this,
Faith-why, it almost seems like carrying you
with me, since it's got your name on It. I'll
read 1t every day, and always keep it here,
Fsith," he said, dropping Il in his breast
pocket, and buttoning up his coat, as if he
wanted il close 70 his heart.
By this time they had reached the gate
the old red gate upon which they had swung
together Q thousand times in their happy
childhood.
~ must 60 back, now, Simeon, said Faith,
struggling hard to keep back her tears, "aunt
Lisbeth win want me TO. help about the milk
ing-good-byei"
Goodbye, Faith; take care Of yourself, and
"a e n