Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-26
Jessie Underhills Thanksgiving.
1t was the evening before Thanksgiv-

The great naples in the door yard
that had blazed so loug in russet and
golden fire had showered the last with
cred leaves upon the path the creeping
vine on the piazza columns glowed scar
let in the misty autumn air, and the
woods in the valley were stained with
the bloody footsteps Of many midnight
frost. And yet Hezekiah Underhill,
standing pensively polishing his specta-
cles before the fire, was not satisfied with
natures great kaleidoscope of color.
1T don't seem just right 7 soliloquized
Hezekiah, mot to have genuine snow
storm afore Thsnksgivin'!
Take things as you find EN-, father !!
said Mrs Hezekiah, stirring body who
never stood still long enough to give a
wrinkle time to settle down on her face,
and whose coffee colored cap ribbons
owing TO perpetual notion were like
brown birds continually on the wing
Elder Jones says there's nothin' but
what's for the best
well, there's no harm in wishin',
spose,' said Hezekiah, argumentatively.
No said Mrs. Underhill but if
was goin' to wish, 'twouldnt be for such
little thing as fall o snow. | know
what I'd give a big apple for
What ? questioned Hezekiah, rather
surprised at bis contented helpmate's ex
pressing any ungratified desire.
The little woman futtered up close tt
him, and there was liquid glmmer il
the eyes she raised to his face.
Think of the many, many empty seat'
there'l be around the Thanksgivin' fire
sides to morrow, Hezekiah O, if
could have my wish, I'd bring 'em al
back from the graves upon the battle
field, and from the weary hospitals
Think of our Jared, keepin' guard along
the Potomac; think Of Hiram Steele
brave boy wounded under the very fla
he fought for, and dying in sErans
! land !
DO you think be will die, aunt Ma
ry?
A slight figure was clinging TO Hez
kiah's arm, and pale, pretty face, wi
bands of shining black hair and will
Startled eyes, was turned upward
breathless suspense.
There, now, I do say ior't, i nev
meant she sh, uld hear s'posed 81
was up stairs = calculated the furre
old lady. NO, dear, / hope he'll g
better; any way it is our duty to hop
for the best. That's what Elder Jone
said only last Sabbath day. =
Uncle, tell me, do they think be wi
die !? repeated the girl, turning to th
old man, as if she had neither heard no
needed her aunt's words.
Child, how should know? Yor'v
asked me that self-same question fort,
times this last week if you've asked
once, said Hezekiah, good humoredly.-
'Sposin' he don't get well, why shoul
you fret about it? When he went away
six months ago, you was a flirtin' wit
Harry Mossmore, and playin' with hi
feelin's just exactly as cat leases
mouse. Didn't | hear you with my ow
ears tellin' Frank Steele he was nothil
more'n friend to you, and you wonder
ed at bis presumption in ever supposir
he could be ANYTHING more?
Il never meant it, uncle ? sobbed III
girl, never! 1t was that mad spirit {
coquetry that possessed me, | scare
know how. The words had not passe
my lips before would have given world
to recall them. But oh, the punisbmer
is greater than | can bear. Tell me, Ut
Gle, do they believe he will die? 0,
/ could die, too J
He is in Gods hands, my child sal
the old man, solemnly, 'and He VII
raised the widows son at Main, an
brought Lazarus back to life, will nj
fail to do all things well. Trust in Hit
Jessie, and pray to Him.
Jessie Underhill scarcely heard the o
mans words she resumed her seat |
the window and was gazing sadly up'
the gold and incarnadine OF the suns
as it famed above the western pine 70
, ests, likening it in her own mind to Il
h flash of cannon and the dreadful stail
of blood upon the battle field. And wi
the throbbing of her heart rose and IL
the treasured bit of paper cut from Il
list of Wounded in the daily journi
and containing but one line, Franc
Il Steele, Private, Dangerously.
Hezekiah Underhill looked a 4 h
I niece's dropping figure, while stran
oontortions passed over bis weather be-
On features. Once or twice be open