Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-12-14

NONH-SldlT Dtu-fOon dllotbcu 10 lHe
rheumatic and grumbling old woman
Next day snow filed all the chilling air
with its dizzy, fairy whirls of fakes,
singing against the dull panes, whirl-
ing around the well-curb, deep-drifting
over the great wood-pile, bat within
doors Vernon poor house glowed with
unwonted warmth and comfort. A fire
burned cheerily i'll the paapers' room,
and two or three of the old women We're
detailed on special service III the kit
chen, pairing apples, picking over cram
berries, scraping turnips, and clearing
or heating the big brick oven. Gran
ny Salisbury hobbled round, cross but
useful, certain amount OF jerk IN
spired her hands rs well as her tongue,
but Sister Lockwood crept about more
feebly than ever, and when Doctor
Sparkle came in after dinner he found
her asleep in her chair, most unusual
thing for her. She woke, however, as
he stood looking at her with his hand
some kind eyes, and seemed scarce to
recollect herself or her surroundings
for moment.
"Aren't you well, Mrs. Lockwood z"
asked he Just then Ruth stepped in,
and laid her hand on his arm. Sister
Lockwood smiled.
"Why, yes, / guess be; I've been
asleep, ha'n't II The snow and the
fire kinder drowsed me, | do b'heve. ;"
Don't you want q cup OF tea,
aunty Z"
"No, Ruthy, dear; it's better'n tea
to see you a-lookin' so bright. To
morrer's Thanksgivin', amt 1t 2"
eyes, said the doctor, keen smile
lighting all his grave dark face, as he
drew Ruth little closer. Especially
| Thanksgiving Day for me.
you'll be real good to her, doctor
won't ye?"
"I'll try"
'Folks has deal to be thankful for
in this world, and a dreadful deal more
after it's come end gone. Ye know
what the hymn says g..
wen praise Him for mercies past,
! And thank Him for all that's to come! !"
! [ declare fort, I've forgot the rest
ont; twas somethin' bout gettin safe
! home.
A loud call from the kitchen for
Ruth put an end to this brief talk, and
| the doctor went up stairs to see a sick
child; first advising Sister Lockwood
not to try and rise for her breakfast in
the morning, as she was weak, and the
day would be both busy and exciting.
SO Thanksgiving Day came, splendid
with the chill splendor of snow and
sun. A keen wind had packed every
frozen flake into its place, and merry
bells flashed by in gay defiance on ev-
cry shape of sleigh or sled. Ruth
| looked into Mrs. Lockwood's room,
but she was fast asleep so she carried
back her cup of tea and set 1t by the
| fire.
Scarce was breakfast over when a
sleigh, full of frrs, with pair of dane
| ing horses, stopped at the door, and a
! tall. bearded man asked for Mrs. Sails
bury.
"!You amt Joe?" was her brief and
| incredulous welcome.
| 81 guess SC! :" For an instant nature
or memory prevailed, and Granny Sails
bury bestowed on her prodlgal son q
! hug that would have done credit to Il
bear. Then she recalled herself.
"Well, we've got here fn'lly, hev ye.
| reckoned We was dead quite while
ago"
"But | amt and I've got pretty
considerable heap o dollars; so
thought Ia look We up, and fix ye of
comfortable, mother.
"H'mi you've done lot o thinkin
bout me, / guess He'd time enough
twenty odd year !"
"Wen, well, mother ! let by-gones
be by-gones. Come along now"
mot till I've ben nd reused uE
Mis- Lockwood. / must tell her
Say, is Eli dead?
''Not he He's considera bic worse
got his leg broke nd cut off beside
'nd's hvin' long o'some Digger Indians
soakin' all day, nd gamblin' all night.
"Why, how YOU talk Wonder i
i she'll be givin' thanks over that
Jake shook his head as Granny Sal
isbury hobbled off upstairs, helped b,
Ruth
"Bad time bad time ~ mutteret
he. :" Specs Wen git de real ole deb
BILE now, eff he granny's goln' to leat
us.
A sharp cry from Ruth above stair
startled all the hearers. DR.. Sparks
who had just come in, sped up to her
She stood on one side of Sister Lock
woods bed. and Granny Salisbury a
{ its foot; on the scarce indented PILLOW
lay face tranquil and sweet rs that o
some sleeping child. Even the las
enemy had been appeased 10y such ex
t duisite patience, and come as the Ange
) of Consolation. Sister Lockwood hat
/ FALLEN on sleep"
: One long look Granny Salisbur
rrnro "a tho rnstf1l facn of her old neluh