The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-01-07

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Zenas interrupted himself to stroke hi
wife's gray hair with strangely tender touch
and went on
Says /, He's gone where it's Thanksgiv
in all the year round now, my poor boy-m
brave boy! but, says |, well make some
body welcome for Davies sake; won't we
mother ?'-And now, sir, you'll spend to
morrow with US, and tell me about the battl
of Gettysburg where Davie died, crying GU
with his last breath not to let the flag be cap
tured p
Zenas's voice died out into choking, gasp
ing sob. John Siddons laid his hand softly
on the rough, toil-hardened hand of the farm
er, while a pang of envy shot through hi
heart All it was almost worth while be-
ing shot down III battle to be missed anC
mourned like dead David Carey!
60 wife," walled Zenas, when John Sid
dons had fallen asleep i'll the little corner room
having Davie back again! Wife, fight ny
great sorrow down every night, but every
morning it rises up again more than ever =
God help every parent whose home is made
desolate by the field of batte!"
Thanksgiving dawned through white
whirIwind of driving snow that eddied among
the gnarled boughs of the apple tree in mad
frolics, and edged the old stone wall with
dazzling ermine. And the fiery sparks car
eering swiftly up Zenas Carey's wide Chin
ney met the steadily falling snow half way
and gave battle, while the hearth glowed with
ruddy Brightness as if it knew all about the
Governors Proclamation, and approved of
| it.
''You have cozy little farm here Mr.
Carey" said John, AS they walked through
the snow storm to the church, whose spire
nestled among the everlasting hills beyond.
'If | was only sure of it. sir" said Zenas
with sigh. 'But I've been hard put to it
to get along these times. Taxes and such
like come heavy Oh poor men, and Eve had a
run O i'll luck so that the place is mortgaged
to its full value, and to a hard man-one that
will sell the home you've been born and bro't
up in as soon as eat his breakfast, SO he
can make money by it. 1t 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 Inc
afterwards. | tell you, sir, when man has
| lived to my age under one root-tree he don't
take very kindly to .ben' moved. Men are
'un anu do as you please with it, but ii you
something else, Mr. Siddons ISughtn't to
complain Thanksgivin' day"
John looked with a feeling of actual rever-
erence at the Manufactured old man, Whose
simple soul, borne down as he was by debt,
and grief, and age, could still find something
to be thankful for.
The turkey and pumpkin pies were smok
ing on the round table when John and Zenas
returned from church and Mrs Carey Rad
brought out her flowing blue" plates and
her choicest old-tine silver spoons in honor
of their guest. There was no beverage but
coffee that never knew the shores of Java and
a pitcher Of cold sparkling cider; but cham
payne could not have been more cordially
dealt out by Zenas; and Mrs. Careys smiling
kindness gave a flavor to the chickorzed rye
that is sometimes lacking an egg CHI
ma"
The table was cleared away, and they were
sitting round the fire, when the door was OPP
ed and Deacon Evarts entered, bringing a
small snowdrift OH the shoulders of his shag-
gy over-coat.
~e,FolI; am beat!" quoth zenas. Take
cheer, Deacon. Let me hang your coat afore
the fire to dry"
Cant stay, said the Deacon, giving him
self shake like black water-dog on his
hind legs. Il thought you'd like to hear the
news SO jest dropped in on my way to my
darter's Thanksgivin' dinner"
'.Ne"s! what news ?" exclaimed Zenas,
while his wife dropped her knitting.
''Do tell then you hain't heerd ~
II haint heered nothin but the wind
howIin down the chirnby, and Elder Smiths
sarmon this mornin, said Zenas, little i'm
patiently.
The Squires dead, up to the great
housed"
Dead! You don't tell me SO. That's
the man l was spealin' of as holds my
mortgage" explained Zenas, turning to John
Siddons. "And when did it happen, Dea
p.
'Died last night sir, just about nightfall,
as quiet as a lamb. There want nobody with
him but the old housekeeper-foll1s didn't
spose he was dangerous And Lawyer Ovid
says there's regular will, and he's left all his
property to the only relative he had Twin
a soldierin' Teller that he'd never so much as
seen-one Sedgewck, or Sibley, or-what
was his name now? And now he's fell heir
to all Squire Peter Ailesford's property, and
that's pretty considab windfall!"
"Was the name Siddons ?' asked the sol
der who had hitherto listened to the CONVEX
sation in silence
That's it," said the Deacon, giving his
knee a sounding slap.
"Peter Ailesford was my fathers cousin,
said the young man, quietly.
Land O Goshen" calculated Deacon Ev-
arts, with growing veneration for the heir to
''the old Squires" money. ''Now RELY
that's kind O providentia amt it. To think
that you should be right here on the spot!"
81 was in search Of Mr.. Aiesfords house
when l met you, sir" said Siddons, turning
to Carey; but as | was unaware what sort
of reception | might get, your kind invitation
decided me to wait day or two"
In vain the Deacon tried to pump" the
young soldier. John Siddons was civilly un-
communicative, and the Deacon finally took
leave, burning to unfold his budget Of news
elsewhere
81 hope, sir" said Carey, uneasily, when
they were once more alone, ''you won't be
hard about that mortgage. I'm poor man,
and
''Mr Carey" said John, quietly, ''you shall
burn that mortgage on this hearth the very
day l come into possession of my relatives
papers. No thanks, sir; | have not forgot
ten that was "a stranger, and you took me
in Do you suppose | shall ever cease to re-
member the welcome of the Thanksgiving
hearth? l never knew either father or moth
er; but to-day have fancied what their kind
ness might have been
ut was for Davies sake" sobbed Mrs Ca
rey, fairly overcome.
Then for your dead sons sake will you
let me fill his place toward you? Last night
death took from me the only one in the world
to whom l was allied by ties of blood do not
turn me from your hearts,"
The Lord bless thee-the Lord make his
face to shine upon thee, my second son :" said
the old man soIemnly.
4 Slowly the dusk gathered athwart the hills
with waiing winds and whirling drifts Of
snow-slowIy the darkness wrapped them
round; but i'll Zenas Careys steadfast soul the
light of an eternal THANKSGIVING was burn