The Grange advance., 1874-12-01
HAGG|E'S THANKSGIVING.

The Central Market, running the
length Of a whole block, had put On it's
holiday dress, and presented all unusu-
aliy attractive appearance. The vege-
table sta)lswere garlanded with punches
Of lcek, celery and onions, while cab
bagas, red and white beets, parsnips,
great golden squash and pumpkins were
| grouped artisti:ally together. Piles of
! shells, told where the oysters and fresh
fish could be found; the branching ant
! iers of deer and the head Of huge
bison plainly intimated that the fine
looking beef roasts SO deftly rounded
into shape by skillful hands, although
to-day perhaps preferable to veal and
mutton, was not the rarest, dainticst
meat this market house afforded. But
the poultry-on every peg and nail, and
dangling from strings festooned across
the aoorWays, hung ducks, chickens,
geese and turkeys. plump and tooth
some. Barrels OF shining, crimson
cranberrics stood around. suggestivcly,
and happy crowds hustled gaily in and
out. Customers Oh 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 rattling in and out
continually, but great piles of offensive
garbage we're 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. there was broad
patch Of light lying on the topmost
step of some low, rickety stairs that led
cellarwards. Basking. in thea very
heart of this bit Of warmth and bright
ness, cuddleda d 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 a hard, wispy knot. Even in the
sunshine, the nipping air was purpling
her naked feet and hands. Why didn'
she 60 in? Because, down in the eel
lar, the only home. she knew, there was
no fire, very little light and nothing to
eat. Rolled up iu 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 .peerlng.
with eager, interested eyes,, at light
wagon loaded with orders. On the
top Of the piled up baskets the driver
flung a huge dressed turkey, sew.
cntcen FOUNDER at least, and then back
he went for still something more.
Somebody going to eat an awful lot, I
guess. murmured the child, wistfully.
! A paper futtered up in the wind, the
terrified horse gave a leap, and off.
bounced Mr.. Turkey, falling clear across
the alley. and almost at the hungry
child's feet, A good, true heart chad
this little waif ofhumanity; ota6r an
instant, although there wasn't .single
person visible anywhere around did
the little girl think of running
down stairs with the turkey It. look
ed good. but it, was not hers, so picking
it; up BY its long, cold legs, she tugged
1T to the wagon, climbed g the wheel
slowly, and by dint of effort raised it
again to the top Of the load, when
harsh voice screamed out, ''Get away
you little thief. ''sg :s.5r ....:.z sa5sf.F j.,
: It was the driver emerging, from the.
nearest doorway, his arms full.
The frightened child slid down toll
Ilground, her heart beating tnmultuous,
lIly. q WASH t stealing, she said, with
La trembling voice. ~ ~ y y .sss5ss q
Es'Bah don't tell me,''' answered the
man, knitting his, brows into q tremend-
Gus froWn, :'if you amt off IN a iiffy,
| I1lscaA a police. .S; stss - {;
a'sCome. come, Charlie said a.,pleas..
AMI, voice from q doorway farther down,
s''that swhopper Of turkey fell off your u
load, and Che littlesgirl was only put
ting it back. ',i ';s q,
| .'Oh!" calculated the driver With q
fgrunt, then he mounted his seat.
gathered up the reins, and with lasereat
clatter. 81, ! and / ratllet bang rounded the
corner. 81 - ssis s. &
The child picked hers 81 ssay ]. slowly
- \ I'd l,si
sell. The step az y is gloom shadoY
Inow and the suns hme had rome obi sof
the poor little heart swelling with i IN. &
idignatl0 nsnd wounded feelings. .
nllink aill lo,k
was rolling into ths alley, bat She didn,t
l1so up . see. 80 boda cared fcr her.
q Ssss