The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-12-04
eEssIe's THANKSGIVING.
BY L. V. G..

'lndeed! returned her mother, Won
dering somewhat that Bessie should be
so quiet over it. "How happens that ?"
"Why, you see, day after tomorrow
will be Thanksgiving, and as We have
Saturday, anyway, suppose Miss
Wentworth thinks we may as we'll have
Friday, too
swell, child, are you sorry?"
mo, do not know that am. I do
not think care much about it, either
way. would as lief 60 to school as to
play"
Now, perhaps you think little Bessie
was very fond Of her teacher, her play
mates and her books. But am sorry
to say that the tone in which she spoke
these words implied a fondness for
these, but-simply an Indifference to-
wards her play. Her mother observed
as much, for she had not been slow to
see the spirit of discomfort which had
lately come to take possession of her
little daughters heart, and very deeply
did she regret it.
No matter how interesting the game
Of play in which Bessie engaged, she
soon grew tired of it. If alone, she was
dissatisfied because she had no one to
play with her. If playing with others,
she fancied every one was trying to
slight her, and that each one had a bet
ter place in the game than she. So it
naturally came to pass that the girls
became tired of trying to please her,
and she was often left quite by herself.
Are you growing more fond Of your
books p asked Mrs. Winton, in reply
to Bessie's statement.
"Oh, no; I shall never like books.
But there's no fun in being poked up in
this old house all day. so I may as we'll
be in school"
Mrs. Winton took no notice Of this
remark, and presently Bessie continued,
in still moro discontinued tone. Miss
Wentworth wants US to think of all the
things we have to he thankful for, and
tell her, tomorrow. think that's a
queer thing to ask u.s."
1T strikes me as being very good
question. 1t may put you all thinking
II don't think it will take me long
to tell mine. OF course, girls like
Emma Roberts have something to be
thankful about. Her father is rich,
and buys her everything she wants.
She has horses to drive out whenever
she likes, and splendid house to live
in, and plenty of servants to wait upon
her. The day I went home with her
she took me all over their house, and
there are thirty.four rooms in it"
"Ah p thong int Mrs. Winton, "that
solves the mystery. It was just about
that time Bessie began to grow discon-
tented and unhappy Then she said,
aloud, "Did you count them, Bessie p
''Oh, no, indeed! I was too busy
looking At the elegant things. But !
asked Emma how many there were,
and that Nancy, who used to live at
Aunt Bellies, heard me, and when
Emma said she was sure she did not
know, Nancy said there were just
thirty-four."
''How came Emma to take you over
the house? You surely did not ask
her."
mo, ma am; Nancy told her to take
me.''
~ thought Emm. would not be SC
silly herself"
Il think it was very kind in her." re
turned Bessie, quickly. emma is al
ways kind to everybody. She brings
lovely flowers from their conservatory
and gives to Miss Wentworth. And
she has brought loads of grapes for he,
and for the girls, too. AS for that mat
ter, she has brought fruits of all kinds
this whole SUMNER
n presume Emma is very kind. Sh,
may be like her mother, who lives to DE-
good"
II should think she might be kind, ,
said Bessie, now ready for opposition
"Anybody might be who had every
thing that money could buy. She vii
have enough to tell Miss Wentworth
about
by the way, Bessie, with Whist arr
you going to begin your list! You ma,
as well b. thinking
I'm sure 1 don't know. I dom
think l shall try to mako out any.
should be ashamed to give only one o.
two blessings. can't think Of a singl,
one now"
''Then I suppose you would as lie
live in the island Of Papua as herc!''
Bessie laughed little, although sh
had determined to make a very scriou
matter Of her many deprivations.
''How is it, Bessie" continued Mrs
Winton, do you think you would vii
.hngly 90 there to live!''
'Of course not," and the corners o
Bessie's mouth would draw down, il
spite of her endeavors to look like
Auch.abused specimen Of humanity