, 1872-03-07

| too-s something for Dan. l saw MIN
peeping into it with eyes twinkiing once
or twice.s I sepsmber ho9 p'eased he
was xhen I brought him b modster turs
key for Mrs. Tanner. The old Lady. al
though she had only seen me ON the
train as it whisked by. had taken A
anxious interesG in sore throat I had.
and sent me a bottle of myrrh-tea by
the old gentleman.
don't know whether it was because
had come from . part Of the country
where they don't keep Thanksgiving, OF
because of the horror that followed, but
I remember that afternoon as one of the
brightest and cheerfullest of my life.
The air was cold and crisp. There was
red mist over the hills in the cars and
the stations there was nothing but good
wishes. I don't think much Of serious
things, yet it seemed to me that day that
the people came with one accord nearer
to God because of Thanksgiving. One
old gentleman on board had the idea,
suppose; for, as sat down behind him
to count my change, saw him watch
ing the passengers and houses we pass
ed with an amused smile, and, turning
to his companion. he said -
"There's something very wholesome
in the effect of these holidays, Colonel.
They awaken men to q sense of depend
ence and gratitude. as years sermons
cannot do" crs
The other was SO long in replying that
I looked up at him.
"When o man has home or home
ties to give thanks for, the holiday is
useful, no Doubt 5E}t-d
1t was SO queer and cold an answer
4 that felt q curiosity about the man.
He went back to his newspaper (which
was an English one, I uoticed,) and be-
gan to talk Immediately about the du-
ties ON silks and linens. I soon found
that he was largely interested in both
had travelled over a good part of the
world, traded in China and Japan, and,
as guessed successfully. He had the
air of q man accustomed to command,
and to life of ease. He was middle
aged stoatly-built man. with clean
shaved, powerful face. and shrewd.
pleasant eyes. Noticed that all through
his convoFsatian he tried to avoid see-
ing the happy groups of people who
were necessarily getting on or of the
train; and once, when child in passing
pulled at his cane, he turned his back
roughly on IL. Yet I had a fancy-I
don't know why-tbat the people and
Thanksgiving mattered more to him
than any of US.
His friend said to him presently,
"Yon're not well, Colonel ?" Never
was better, but the truth is, venn, this
country is all familiar to me, and any
thing which recalls old times makes me
nervous and irritable. It's a weakness
which will outgrow, probably. fyou
will excuse me, I'll go forward" He
saw me just then, and, touching his hat.
asked leave to ride on the engine, in Or
der to see the scenery.
Now the rules of the road were slip
shod enough, but that was q thing I
never had allowed. However, I had Ia
ken curious interest in the man, and
liked his courteous manner. so I nodded
and went before him into the baggage
car, and over the tender to see him safe
ly across. To my surprise, Joe. Fentou.
our engineer, met him as an oAacquain-
tance. Joe had been a private in his
regiment during the war. They ahook
hands again and again. and Fenton waa
in such hurry to tell that he was msr-
ried, and the father of twins, that be
stammered. The Colonel laughed, and
looked as pleased as Joe. He was a dit
ferent man from the one had seen il
the car. waited = moiaent to- poin
| out Brooks model farm to him, whe1
Joe said:-
"You used to come down to thes.
parts for fishing often, remember, Col
onel 7"
| yes" E'AISS II
"Where is your good lady now. Sir
And the child ? He was as pert o young
ster as ever knowed."
The gentleman replied bat by . ges
ture of the hand. sli4 +7i OH
"What, both hr'gaspedJoe. ''Both?'
The Colonel did not speak for q min
ute, and then he said, quietly: "My
wife was with me in China. She sailed
with the child for home on the Petrol
1 was to follow six months later. The
Petrol went down. There was no one
saved"
Joe said nothing; but presently he
put out his hand and smoothed the othel
mans sleeve. 1t was just such thing
as woman would do.
The Colonel a1ded hastily, as if afraid
he wonld betray any emotion: I'm on
my way West now, in search Of my
father, who has left New England. Peo-
pie are easily lost sight Of in America "