Mower County transcript., 1871-12-14
SISTER LOCKWOOD'S THANKSGIV.
ING.
BY ROSE TERRY.

It was some years ago, "less than
forty and more than four" as the vii
lage butt and jester would have said
and it was the night before Thanksgiv-
ing, in Vernon poorhouse as we'll as in
the rest of New England. A bitter,
livid November night, too, snow lying
ready to fall in the shroud- like, dark
ening folds of cloud, moaning, shiv-
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 in the
open Fireplace. There were eight or
ten there tonight one or two very
old men, the rest women and children.
But our concern is with only two of the
group, who sat there near togethe +, with
whole wide sea between them, the
mighty gulf of differing natures. One
occupied the corner of the old settle,
her feet on foot-stove, faded but
warm shawl wrapped about her shoul-
dcrs, and stuff dress, whole and de-
cent enough, laid up against her knees
to guard against swapping Goals which
would fall harmless Oh the thick woolen
quilted skirt beneath. Her face was
long, gaunt, with high cheek-bones and
q mighty nose, a mouth cavernOus in
size, and heavy chin; green gray
eyes, with fierce look OF hungry dis
content about them, and the gray locks
that were tucked away under a dingy
lace-cap seemed to rise in rebellion
also against their fate, they struggled
so perversely over the scrawny neck
that shadowed beneath them, adorned
with Granny Salisbury's last earthly
possession of any value-a string of
gold beads. Close by the settle, be-
tween il and the corner of the Fireplace
in low, ricketty rocking-chair that
squeaked and squawked with every os.
cillation of its occupant, sat Sister
Lockwood, a little old woman, older,
perhaps, than her neighbor; but her
coarse blue print frock, her plain white
muslin cap, and the cotton handker-
chief folded over her neck and bosom,
we're white as the fakes that began to
fill the bitter air without, and the queer
little "prunell " shoes she put out to-
wards the fire to warm were patched
with exact neatness. Her white hair
was folded away above round and
wrinkled face that even in its ruin told
story of youthful bloom and pretti.
ness. her black eyes shone with soft
CLEANS of patience and cheer, and her
busy fingers wrought steadily at a scar
let mitten while she rocked gently back
and forth. A smell of baking, unusu-
ally spicy and savory, came in from the
half-open kitchen door, and pretty soon
albright rosy girl of nineteen or twenty
passed through with a waiter full of
pumpkin-pies, and deposited them in
the pantry. Ruth nodded cheerfully
to Sister Lockwood as she passed, and
the old lady gave her u loving glance.
"Most Thanksgiving Day, ant it.,
Ruthy?" Ruth laughed and colored.
Thunksglvin' Day. indeed!" growl-
ed Granny Salisbury. "Great times
for some folks, but I don't see what
yo'un I've got to be thankful for, Mis-
Lockwood. Spendin' ont in poor'us
don't go down with the Gov'nor's proc
lermat1on -
"Why, Mis- Salisbury! I'm sure
we've got real good home. Mis-
Sperry's as good as need be, md we've
got fire, md vittles, nd clothing. Why
we might have had to die in a barn
folks hev afore now," returned Mrs.
Lockwood in the gentlest old voice.
"You her got heap to be thankful
for, ha'nt ye?" returned the other with
a bitter sneer, II s'pose yer don't
reckerlect your husbands getting killed
all of suddent out chopin, and leav.
in you with five little ones to take kee,
on!"
A little spasm of agony passed ove1
the peaceful face of Sister Lockwood
Could any amount of time, any sub
mission of her will ef1ace that dreadful
day from her soul2 Even as she an
swered, the whole scene passed agair
before her lnind-Jacob's long delay tc
come, and his final coming, lifeles:
mass of clay borne by four of the neigh
bors, one Of whom had found him il
the woods under the fallen tree ;ht
dull anguish, the crying children, TIN
hopeless outlook. But she answerc:
quietly: 1" No, Mis- Salisbury, ham
forgotten it, but I've larnt to see tn
Lord don't do things for nothin.' H
knows bettcr'n do what twas for, ant
[ ON thankful Jacob didn't live to com
to poverty he had a lot more sperrit'
I've got, md 'twould ha' troubled hin
u sight,"
"rhcn there was them Children,
pursued her interrogation. "Baby die
right off, didn't it ?"
eyes, yes" hastily replied Siste
Lockwood, a slow tear dimming he
spectacles as she stopped to take mp
stitch, and saw that unforgotten tin
shape scross her knees, looking up
the mother-face above, in its last agony
imploring the impossible relief 'Ye'
baby died, and it may seem kinde
queer to you, but many time l.,
thanked the Lord on my knees that Fl
took the little creature away from trol
ble to come, and 1 expect Jacob We
real glad to see her-she favored hi
SO much"
"Reub, he ran off to sea, spell u
ter, didn't he2"
We'll, lie did You see he was tt
} Oldest; he was twelve year old whe