Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-12-14
SISTER LDCkVOOD'S THANkSGif.
ING.
by ROSE TERRY.

It was some years ago, less than
forty and more than four, rs the vii
lace butt and Jester would have said
and il was the night before Thanksglv-
ing, in Vernon poorhouse as well MS III
the rest OF New England. A bitter,
hyid November night, too, snow lying
ready 10 fail in the shroud like, dark
euiug folds OF cloud, a moaning, shy
ering east wind crying about the caves,
and the last dead leaves speeding
through the air with direct course to
their final bed In one long room sat
the few old and poor inmates OF the
house. gathered about the great wood
fire that snapped and sparkled III the
open Fireplace, There were eight or
ten there tonight one or two very
old men, the res, women and children.
But our concern II with only two OF the
group, who sat there uear together, with
n whole wide sea between them, the
mighty gulf OF differing natures. One
occupied the corner of the old settle,
her feet ON a foot-stove, Il faded but
warm shawl wrapped abont her shoul-
dcrs, and a stuff dress, whole and de-
cent enough, laid up against her knees
to guard against swapping Goals which
would fall harmless on the thick wooden
quilted skirt beneath Her face was
long, gnunt, with high check bones and
n mighty nose, u mouth cayernous in
size. and a heavy chin; green gray
ewes, with fierce look of hungry DIS
content about them, aud the gray locks
that were tucked away under n dingy
lace-cap seemed to rise in rebellion
also against their fate, they struggled
SO peryersely over the scrawny neck
that shadowed beneath them, adorned
with Granny Salisbury's last earthly
possession Of any yolue-a string of
gold beads Close by the settle, be-
tween II and the corner of the fireplace
in q low, ricketty rocking chair that
saueaked md squnwked with every os-
cillatiop of its occupant, sat Sister
Lockwood, a littlo old woman, older,
perhaps, than her relghbor; but her
coarse blue print frock, her PLAIN white
muslin cap. and the cotton handker-
chief folded over her neck and bosom,
were white rs the flakes that began 10
ill the bitter air without, and the queer
little "prunell shoes she put out TO-
wards the fire TO warm were patched
with exact neatuess. Her white ham
was folded away above round and
wrinkled face that even IN its rum told
u story of Youthful bloom and pretti
ness. her black eyes shone with soft
CLEANS of patience and cheer, and hel
busy fingers wrought steadily att scar
let mitteu while she rocked gently back
and forth. \ smell of baking, unusu
ally spicy and saVnry, came in nom the
half-opcn kitchen door, and pretty sooI
albright rosy girl of nineteen or twout,
passed through with waiter full %
pumpkin-pics and deposited them II
,he pantry Ruth nodded cheertull'
10 Sister Lockwood MS she passed, an,
tho old lady gave her a loving glance
Most Thanksgiving Day, amt it
Ruthy ?" Ruth laughed and colored,
Thanksgtyiu' Day, indeed !" growl
ga Granny Salisbury "Grcat time
for some folks but | don't see wha
yo'un I've got to be thankful for, Nj,
Lockwood. Spendin ont in a poor'u
don't 60 down with the Gov'nor'S pro,
formation J"
,.Why. Mis- Salisbury I'm sur
we've got a real good home. Nj:
Sperry's as good rs need be, nd we.N
GOT fire, nd vittles, nd clothing. Wa
we.mieht have had to die in a barn
folks hev afore now, returned Mr.
lockwood N the gentlest old voice
lyon hcc got n heap to ia thankI
for. ha'nt We returned the other wat
bitter sneer. Il sposc Yer don
rerkarlect your husband 5 getting hlie
iii 81 4 student ont chopin, ami iea
io' YOU with five little anes 81 fake hes