The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-18

hay, Sara he SAID, Wnen ne coulu
speak. 81 found the door open and went
In and there was man there, | grap-
pied him and he struck me-thavs all l
know. Either my lantern did it, or the
man was there to fire the barn. How
ever it was, it's all over now. 1t will
take-Sara, you took care of my pocket
bookr'
She came across the room and took his
hands.
"Darling," she said, shave patience.
Your pocket-book has not been found.
Pve drawn my little savings to live on.
| !. ! 1T thought you might remember
II always wore it in my vest," he
said. "You know that kept my coupon
bonds in it. kept all had about me.
ceipts l dare not lose, for they are
signed by rascals. Sara, every chance
| had of retrieving my losses is gone for
ever. suppose 1 was robbed as l lay
senseless, and l thought my own person
better and safer than any bank. Look at
me now, a miserable, crippled, shaking
shadow that a child could MASTER"
''But you'll get strong again." cried
Sara, 'tand we've the mouse and the
land" But Hiram was too weak to
feel any hope or courage. He took to
his bed again, and lay there still when it
was time for the farmer to be busy.
However, ne did not die, and there
was another convalescence. Sarah had
not had time to be ill, She dared not.
What she could do she had done. But
farm needs its master. If they raised
enough for food that year, despite neigh
borly kindness and Ben's VOW to work
forever without wages, if need be, that
was all they could do. And it was a
poor year. No fruit to speak Of; yeget-
ables small and mean, and corn disap-
pointment.
Moreover, one of Fielding's creditors
did prove himself a rascal; and though
the farmer swore TO having paid his
debt, there was no receipt to be found,
and mortgage OF the land was the con-
sequence. Often the discouraged man
declared that he wished the thief had
also murdered him, and he meant ir.
But Sarah Fielding kept her courage
up, and now that her husband was fair
ly ON his feet and had even flung away
cane and erutch, would have been per-
fectly happy cvuld she have made MIN
so.&
And thus Thanksgiving came about
again, and friends shook their heads once
more and said: "Poor Mrs. Fielding
would have different Thanksgiving
from what she had been used to-" And
many Invitations were sent to those who
had entertained SO freely while they
could; but Hiram would nave more oil
Them, and to tell the truth, little toes
were out and little dresses were not fresh
and holiday-like.
"We'll keep Thanksgiving at heme,"
said Sara Fielding.
-"rhaDksglving" said Hiram, sadly,
"Well, my girl, it won't be much of a
one, and can't say feel thankful much,
either"
"And then there amt any punkins,"
said little Lizzie, sand no turkey"
"rhere isa pumpkin" said the mother.
triumphantly--''a good one-Pye Kept
watch over tits all right"
Hiram groaned, thinking of the wag.
ons full That rolled to market the year
before.
"And,o said the comfortable woman,
"I think roast pork with apple-sauce as
good as turkey. We have got Two bar
rels OF apples. Ishall keep Thanksgiy-
ing. / wouldn't miss it for any consid-
efatien; and Hiram, you 60 to church
and take Jack, and I'll get dinner fol
you'll and Lizzie and Sue"
"Churchw said Hiram.
Eyes, church," said Sara.
And she mad her way.
Madge, the faithful, had gone with
many tears to service elsewhere, long
before, and Sara had no help; and now,
having tidied the house, she went out
doors TO look for eggs.
Some of the chickens had been lost in
the fire; some had since died mysteri-
ously; but tnere were a few left, But
her search was not as successful as
usual. Speckled Gray had taken 20
hiding her eggs, and, according TO calcu-
lation, there must be three or four some
where.
At last Sara heard caekle, and, look
| ing carefully, espied Speckied Gray's
head protruding from the ruins oil the
barn.
Certain beams and boards had so fallen
as to make a hiding place for Speckle,
and thither she was wending her way.
Sara Fielding followed her. An arms
llengEh Ia she could see, by crouchlng
low, the great white pearls that were to
make her one pumpkin richer. She put
in her hand and drew them forth-four-
fve-and then-what was that lying
there-that stained, blaekened thing,
with glimpses OF red leather at the edges
Was it book? Was it--Yes, 1t was a
great, soft, dat pocket-book In which
Hiram Fielding had carried his wealth
about his person, in his great confidence
in his own strength and safety.
Sara drew it out, and, trembling,
looked at it. 1t was warped and melted
into Wad, but somehow only on the
outside. As she tore 1t open she saw
what was within was discolored and
stained, but not burnt. Their little for.
tune was saved; there was hope and
courage for Hiram now.
1t is strange how much determina-
ton will 90. Sara Fielding would have
tainted on the ground but Tor the spirit
with which she fought away the weak
ness tnat crept over her; but she did
| get into her Kitchen without doing it,
and then she flung herself upon her
knees and wept and prayed together
and grew strong again.
~ smell the fire." said little Jack,
hurrying in after church. "Ain't it good,
though? Pa, dinner is ready"
"And I'm ready for it," said the
farmer. "How bright you all look, girls.
What is in the one pumpkinW
He spoke a little bitterly as he uttered
the last words and drew his chair to the
table.
There stood the pork, the potatoes, the
great golden pie, a dish OF apple-sauce,
and another-coyered.
"What's that?v ASKED little Jack.
stnh Jack ~ crind Susnn