The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-12-03
KAseIE's THANKSGIVING.


length of whole block, had put on its
holiday dress, and presented an unusu-
ally attractive appearance. The vege-
table STALL were garlanded with punches
of leek, celery and onions, while cab
bages, red and white beets, parsnips,
great golden squash and pumpkins were
grouped artistically together. Piles of
shells, told where the oysters and fresh
fish could be found; the branching ant
lers of deer and the head Of huge
bison plainly intimated that the fine
looking beef roasts SO deity rounded
into shape by skillful hands, although
to-day perhaps preferable to veal and
mutton, was not the rarest, daintiest
meat this market house afforded. But
the poultry-on every peg and nail, and
dangling from strings festooned across
the doorways, hung ducks, chickens,
geese and turkeys, plump and tooth
some. Barrels of shining, crimson
cranberrics stood around, suggestively,
and happy crowds hustled gaily in and
out. Customers on foot and customers
in carriages came and went, giving with
their bright costumes, merry talk and
laughter, gala air to the street.
In the rear Of the market it was not
so pleasant. True. the alley was broad,
and wagons were rafting in and out
continually, but great piles of offensive
garbage were waiting the slop carts,
and the gloomy row Of old tenement
houses opposite shut out the sunshine
for nearly the whole day through.
Just now, however, tn ere was broad
patch Of light lying on the topmost
step of some low, rickety stairs that led
cellarwards. Basking in thief very
heart of this bit of warmth and bright
ness, cuddled curious looking little
creature, with garments all ragged and
torn. There was nothing attractive
about her, for her face and hands were
grimy, and the matted hair was pulled
up in hard, wispy knot. Even in the
sunshine, the nipping air was purpling
her naked feet and hands. Why didn' t
she go in2 Because, down in the Gel
lar, the only home she knew, there was
no fire, very little light and nothing to
eat. Rolled up i'll what poor,
scant bedding there was, lay her
mother, sleeping off the effects
of the wicked rum, for which, nearly
every cent she earned washing was
spent week after week. With the gen.
uine instinct Of childhood, the forlorn
little being was only taking the best
she could find, and was now peering,
with eager, interested eyes, at light
wagon loaded with orders. On the
top of the piled up baskets the driver
flung huge dressed turkey, sew
enteen FOUNDER at least, and then back
he went for still something more.
"Somebody going to eat an awful lot,
guess murmured the child, wistfully.
A paper tluttered up in the wind, the
terrified horse gave leap, and off
bounced Mr.. Turkey, falling clear across
the alley. and almost at the hungry
child's feet. A good, true heart had
this little waif ofhumanity; not for an
instant, although there wasn't single
person visible anywhere around did
the little girl think Of running
down stars with the turkey. 1t look
ed good, but it was not hers, so picking
it up by its long, cold legs, she tugged
it to the wagon, climbed the wheel
slowly, and by dint of effort raised il
again to the top Of the load. when a
harsh voice screamed out, "Get away
you little thief"
1t was the driver emerging from the
nearest doorway, his arms full.
The frightened child slid down to the
ground, her heart beating tumultuous.
ly. 81 wasn't stealing" she said, with
trembling voice.
bah! don't tell me- answered the
man, knitting his brows into tremend
Gus frown, 'if you amt off in jiffy
III call police.
Come, come, Charlie" said q pleas
ant voice from doorway farther down
that whopper of q turkey fell off YOU
load. and the little girl was only put
ting it back"
"Ohw calculated the driver with
grunt, then he mounted his seat
gathered up the reins, and with . grea
chatter and rat,lety bang rounded tn
: corner.
. The child picked her way slowl,
back across the alley and re-seated her
self. The step lay in gloomy shade,
now and the sunshine had gone out Q
the poor little heart, swelling with in
dignation and wounded feelings.
A rumbling sound, and again . wago
was rolling into the alley, but she didn
look up to see it: nobody cared for hel
1 and the tears streamed through tn
5 thin fingers spread before her face
. Thump! came huge paper bag int
her lap.
Fl "Little one" said = rough voice, 60
: treated you badly minute ago, an
a I'm awful sorry, but I've brought 20
!, your thanksgiving. and | hope you
lay nothin up against me-.
/ 1t was the driver who had called he
r thief but . moment since. Now, hi
3 face was kindly, but not waiting fo
. words from her, he was of again. tn
\ huge turkey nodding and bobbing i,
J, good byes At every jolt. The tea,
. which had been making curious zigza
e paths down the dirty face, were drie
t as if by magic. The kind words di
. this, for though the stiffened finge,
d had involuntarily clasped themselv,
; around the parcel. the child's bewilde
( ment was so great ct first, that she di
j. not even think to examine her treasur
q One minute passed. half Of anothe
= then she opened the top of the pap,
9 carefully, and peeped into the ba
Il Oh what feast. A whole crea
!. cake. lady fingers, puts. raisins Al
o candy, things she had seen throus