The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-11-26

my losses is gone forever. / suppose l
was robbed as | lay senseless, and l.
thought my own person better and safer
than any bank. Look at me now, a
miserable, crippled, shaking shadow,
that any child could master"
But you'll get strong again, cried
Sara, "and we've the house and the
land" But Hiram was too weak to feel
any hope OF courage. He took to his
bed again, and lay there still when 1t was
time for farmer to be busy.
However, he did not die, and there
was another convalescence. Sara had
not had time to be i'll. She dared not.
What she could do, she had done. But
farm needs its master. Ii 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 poor
year. No fruit to speak of !; vege-
tables small and mean, and corn dis
appointment.
Moreover, one of Fielding's creditors
did prove himself rascal and though
the farmer swore to having paid his debt,
there was no receipt to be found, and a
mortgage of the land was the conse-
quence. Often the discouraged man de-
clared that he wished the thief had also
murdered him and he meant it.
But Sara Fielding kept her courage
up, and now that her husband was fairly
on his feet, and had even flung away
cane and crutch, would have been per
fectly happy, could she have made
him 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 sine d been usedto." Andmany
invitations were sent to those who had
entertained so freely, while they could !;
but Hiram would have none of them,
and, to tell the truth, little toes were
out, and little dresses were not fresh and
holiday-like.
"We'll keep Thanksgiving at home, :"
said Sara Fielding.
Thanksgiving - 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, 4"
said little Lizzie, "and no turkey"
There is pumpkin, f" said the moth
er, triumphantly -" ga good one-I've
kept watch over it. It's all right"
Hiram groaned, thinking of the wag
ons full that rolled to market the year
before.
"And," said the comfortable woman,
81 think roast pork with apple sauce as
good as turkey. We have got two bar
rels of apples. l shall keep Thanksgiv-
ing. / wouldn't miss it for any consid-
Grafton, and, Hiram, you go to church
and take Jack, and I'll get dinner for
you-I and Lizzie and Sue"
"Church % said Hiram.
"Yes, church," said Sara.
And she had 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 mysterious
ly; but there were few left. But her
search was not as successful as usual.
Speckled gray had taken to hiding her
eggs, and according to calculations there
must be three or four somewhere.
At last Sara heard cackle, and look
ing carefully, espied speckled grey's
head protruding from the ruins of the
barn.
Certain beams and boards had SO fall
en- as to make a hiding place for speckle,
and thithershe WAS vending her way. Sara
Fielding followed her. An arms length
in, she could see, by crouching low, the
xNao,.la flat 30
one pumpkin richer. She put in her
hand and drew them forth-four-five-
and then What was that lying there
that stained, blackened thing, with
glimpses of red leather at the edges
Was it book Was it Yes, it was
great, soft flat pocket-bool1-th
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, look
ed at it. 1t was warped and melted
into wad, but somehow only OH the
outside. AS she tore it open she saw
that what was within was discolored and
stained, but not burnt. Their little for
tune was safe; there was hope and cour-
age for Hiram now.
1t is strange how much determination
will do. Sara Fielding would have faint
ed on the ground but for the spirit with
which she fought away the weakness
that 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.
81 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 farm
er. How bright you all look, girls.
What is it, the one pumpkin Z"
He spoke 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, dish of apple
sauce, and another-covered.
whats that Z" asked little Jack.
"Oh, Jack !" cried Susan.
Hush I" said Lizzie.
"Will you give thanks, Hiram 2" said
his wife.
CT suppose l ought" said Hiram.
We've got house over us this year.
Next perhaps-no matter "