The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-06-30

--.s afta ih fnaeh 80 - a'''1af u filffI
What cheerful change il was. from I, the b
Frosty air and chin twilight Of the lonely
road to that bright kitchen with its spotless
board floor, and resinous pine logsh And
when Melinda Carey drew hump,bscked
rocking-chair to the hearth for him, and
spokea word or txo Of welcome, John Sid
Edcps wondered IL the eyes ,ofhis mother,
who died VIXEN he was b.be, had NOT
beamed upon. him just sol rlau qasei ~,
81 told mother 80, this very mornin'', Y
said Zenas, with . triumphant flourish ol
his hand, as he stirred up the logs to .
waving glorious. sheet Of fame. "sSays I
Melinda, weql kin the biggest turkey, and
Ialplck out the yallerest pumpkins on the
barn floor And says she, what for, ze
mas, when there's only US two to eat 'e,ns
and says !, Mother, Davie was here with
US last Thanksgivin' with his new uniform
as brave and handsome as you'll often, see
nov mother don't cryl'' ~
Zenas interrupted himself to stroke his
wife's gray hair with strangely tender
touch. and went on:
"Says I. He's gone where it's Thanks
givin' all the year round now, my poor boy
my brave boyl butt says I, well make
somebody welcome for Dayie's sake; wona
we mothers And now, sir, you'll spend
tomorrow with us, and tell me about the
battle of Gettysburg, where Davie died. cry
ing out with his last breath not to let ths
flag be capturedt' .t.r
!, fZenas' voice died out into a choking
gasping, sob. John Siddons laid his hand
softly on the rough. toil-hard ened hand Of
the farmer, while apang Of envy shot
through his heart. Ali it was almost
worth while being shot down in battle to be
missed and mourned like dead Carey!.
''Oh wife," said Zenas, when John Sid
dons had fallen asleep in the little corner
room that had been the lost boy's Sit is al
most like having navie back ag,ini Wife,
/ fight my great SORROW down every night
but evsrv morning it rises up again m,re
than everi God help every parent whose
homeis made desolate by the fsld Of hat.
tle!''
Thanksgiving dawnei with white whirl.
wind Of driving snow that eddied among
the gnarled bows Of the appls. tree in mad
frolics, and edged the old stone wall with
dazzling ermne. And the fiery sparks ca.
reering swiftly up Zenas Carey's wide
chimney met the steadily falling snow hall
way and gave battle, while the hearth
glowed with ruddy brightness. as ifir
knew all abont the Governors Proclaga
tian and approved af it.
"Yon have cozy little farm here, Mr.
Carey" said John, as they walked through
the snow storm to the church, whose spire
rested among the everlasting hills beyond
aIf was only spre of it. sir" said Ze.
mas, with a sigh. "But I've das1 hard put
to it to get along these times Taxes and
snch like come heavy ol poor men. and
I'pe had run o. IN llck, so that the place
is mort gagged to its full value, and to hard
man-one that will sell the home you've
been born and brought up in as soon as
eat his breakfast, so he can mike mon ey
by it. II will be a black day for Melindy
and me when we have to leave the Rock
Farm; but it must come soon, and don't
much care what becomes OF me afterwards.
] tell you. sir, when map has lived to my
age under one rooftree he don't take very
kindly to bein' moved. Men are like for
est trees sir; YOU can take young 'un
and do as you please with II; but If you
transplant an old 'un 1t dies. Let's talk Of
something else, !Mr. Siddons, oughtn't to
complain Thankgivin' day"
Jo' n looked with feeling of actual rev
erence at the hard featured old man, whose
simple soul, borne down as he was by debt.
and grief, and age, could still find some
thing to be thankful for.
The turkey and pumpkin pies were
smoking on the round table when John
and Zenas returned from church; and Mrs.
Carey had brought out her flowing blue
plates and her choicest old-time silver
spoons in honor oftheir guest. There was
no beverage but coffee that ever knev the
shores of Java, and a picher Of cold spark
ling cider; but champagne could not have
been more cordially dealt out by Zepas;
and Mrs. Carey's smiling kindness gave a
favor to the chickorized rye that is some
times lacking in aegg-she.l ohina.''i sT
. The table was cleared7 away, and they
were sitting round the Are. when the door
was opened and Deacon Evarts entered,
bringing small snowdrift on the shoul-
der of his shaggy overcast. ad a1ie
"WelT P,n beatP' quoth Zenas., "Take
. cheer, Deacon. Let me hang your coal
afore the fire to dry" 'fsi ~ni'8ee Il;
u'Can't stay" said the Deacon. giving
himself shake, like . black water dog on
his hind legs ~ thought you'd Ike to
hear the news, 90 jest drppped in on my
way to my dartsrs Thanksgivin' dinner. /"
"News! what newss'' exclaimed Zenas
while his wife dropped her knitting.
"Do tell then hain't heered?'' @
81 hain't heerd nothin' but the Wind I
howlin' down the chimbly, and Elder Smiths
sarnon this pornin',' said Zenas, . little
impatiently.
.Tbe .Sqqire's dead, upto the great
housel', ae y ssia ogsd g sT '.s"
ecDeady You don't ten me 80. Thats