The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-12-12

10 lnNUe you 10 spend thanksgiving with us.
We may not be very gay party, but we shall
Try to be very thankful and happy"
Was it sob from the pantry, that made
both women turn their heads in that direction2
II SO, 1t was very speedily swallowed for
Just then Suke appeared with hugh nan Of
milk, apparently entirely absobed in getting the
vessel to the table without spilling its contents
81 can not spend Thanksgiving with you,
Mrs. Culvert," replied Eva, trying hard to
steady her voice: "at least you won't want me
to after 1 tell you something. Mrs. Cuveat, l
drove your boy away from his home!
For moment there was no sound heard
save Eva's suppressed sobs. She had told the
whole truth 10 as short way as possible and
now, with her hands covering her face, stood
like culprt awaiting her sentence.
"You, Eva, you'" and Mrs Cuvert's voice
expressed all the astonisbment she felt.
Your" she repeated, as IL half dazed bv the
revelation. "Sit down beside me, my dear
little girl, and tell me all about it. Don't you
know it will be great comfort to me to find
reason for my sons strange departure Why
haven't you told me before?"
"Oh, don't ask me that, Mrs. Culvert--
don't, please was verv wicked. l see now
just how selfish was. But"
but let that go, and get to business, !"
got such a clear record in the past that we can
afford to have much raking DONE"
"You are right again, Susan" said Mrs.
Culvert, fervently. tell me all about it,
my dear, and remember all the time that l
shall not, can not, blame you, no matter how
bad it is.
Mrs. Culvert drew Eva's little hand into her
own and the girl commenced:
" Stephen loved meat least he said So and
| always believed him-and loved him. This
commenced before he even went to college.
We wrote friendly letters all through those
four years, and when he graduated he asked
me to marry him. This I refused to do. He
kept entreating me to allow him to speak to my
father, and this wouldn't listen to-.
"And why, Eva, )" interrupted Mrs. Culvert,
" if YOU loved him?'
That's just it,. replied the girl, naively.
SIT was just because l loved him that didn't
listen TO it. There was too much in Stephen
Culvert to be allowed to rust out on his fathers
farm. He knew there was plenty and to spare,
and home was pleasant, and love was sweet,
and he hadn't energy sufficient to bestir him.
self as thought he ought. There isn't money
enough in the world, Mrs Culvert, to tempt
me to marry an idle man."
Yankee doodle, doodle doc !" sang Suke,
"Well," continued Eva, ''matters grew very
uncomfortable, and Thanksgiving day we al
most quarreled. This happened in your par
lor, Mrs. Culvert, and was Just after dinner, he
taunted me with not loving him. l had grown
tired of this kind Of talk on his part, and told
him that | would never engage myself TO any
man who had not trade or a profession; that
had sense enough to know that love could
not always occupy his whole attention; and |
ended in telling him ] was ashamed of him.
These were the last words he said to me; Eva
Benton, when you see or hear from me again
shall either be the man you are anxious 10
marry or worthless drunken vagabond. On
your head be the responsibility and with this
he marched directly out of the house."
''We have both erred, Eva, in our way of
dealing with our trouble-I more than you.
because was so much older; but that can't
bs helped ne1. Kiss me, and promise that
you will spend tomorrow with u.s."
Eva promised.
"Hark!" said Mrs. Culvert, listening in
tentively, and drawing her companion close to
her side. "Do hear what Susan is singing.
Did you ever know voice to express SO much?"
That's what she was singing when came
in. Don't you know, Mrs Culvert, that that
is Stephens favo5ite anthem r.
80 go your ways into his gates with thanks
giving, and into his courts with praise" rang
out the clear voice of Suke.
just as Ada was departing, Suke cried out
" Look here, Eva, you've forgot your wine."
SO l have, laughed the young lady, turn
ing very happy face to her friend. 4" But /
really did want some, she protested.
"Of course you did, and here It's all ready
for you"
The last sound that Eva heard as she turned
the angle of the house was Suke's voice ringing
out, 80 20 your way into his gates with
!"
Squire Culyert declared the next day that he
didn't know what was the matter with every
body. "Why, said he with thankful smile,
" there isn't a long face at this table, God be
praised Suke, if you don't sit down and eat
with us to-day, it will spoil my dinner. Why,
girls how pretty you all look And as for
yon, wife, | don't know what TO make of YOU.
Am dreaming, or are we Just married Why,
twenty, five years hasn't changed YOU a bit.
I've been thinking, though, along back, that
you were growing bit PLAIN hut that must
have been my imagination. Eva, isn't that
the same dress you wore-vou wore"
"Yes, Sir. interrupted Eva, looking down,
not quite strong. enough yet to have the subject
mentioned.
L
tinued the old gentlemen. ''At least wife
thinks so, and / never knew her to make a
mistake. She's heen powerful time making
up her mind, though. is every thing on
the table now, and here is place for you be.
side me-"
That's not my place, Squire Calvert" re-
sponded Suke, quickly, uttering for the first
time the name of the only one they were all
thinking of; that is your son Stephens seat"
Suke didn't seem TO wonder that every BODY
looked at her in surprise; for just then the
sound of the piano was plainly heard, and
clear, ringing voice in the parlor singing:
$50 go your way into his courts with praise.
Be We sure that the Lord he is God it is He
that hath made US, and not we ourselves we
are his people, and the sheep of his pasture >"
"Stephen y whispered the squire; "My
boy I" sobbsd the mother; "My brother I"
screamed each sister; "My own I" smiled
Eva; and in moment more the long-absent
child was surrounded.
81 am earning my own bread. and-butter,
we're the first words he said to Eva; "will
you become my wife now and she answered,
% Yes" and that was every word she said.
Suke couldn't be prevailed on 10 sit with
hem at dinner. Sim too choked up." was
her only answer "Id rather be stirring.
But every now and then, as she hirted from
room TO room, and room TO pantry, her voice
was distinctly heard singing, $50 60 your way
INTO his gates with thanksgiving, and into his
courts with praise.
Coon TO KNow;-Keep tea in a close
chest or canister. Keep coffee by itself,
4. n 4