The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-12-06
Written for the Sunday Sentinel
THANKSGIVING
RY nRs. sALLIE 4. EANAar.

~ do not believe 1 will 20 to church to-
night, father. IL Is bitter cold out Of doors,
and the wind is blowing hard. and the house
seems so inviting to-day. But do not imagine
that would plead that rs an excuse, though
honestly do not feel like trying the walk.
Let me help you with your overcoat. This
j. something like the old time. John, when
we first came home 10 our own house, and !
liked to feel that you could not get ready
30 down town unless | helped You. And,
then, when our baby boy could toddle 10
your side, he always wanted 10 pull 1t your
sleeve, or get your hat, TO help papa
John, II he is alive, does he remember
this Thanksgiving eve the good times we
once had, and can ne not imagine how
much We want him 10 come back to u.s.
Why wife you must not cry So. There.
there. We will find him vet. If not on
earth, please God in heaven. for He who
never fails has promised TO hear prayer, and
We have prayed, and we will never step I'M
I'll death seals our lips. Had not better
main with you? Will you not be lonesome
and downheartedYb"NO nO,!fatheT, 20 right
along. You promised the preacher you
would be there, and | will be busy until
You return. Would YOU mind carrying
little package 10 meeting with YOU? l. tied
up 4 few things for his wife and children;
they look like it was hard work for them TO
get common food, and though do not know
much about them, guess they are like all
other preachers folks. enjoy tire good things.
Now be careful; don't slip on The
lev pavement Goodbye. And the loving
wife looked anxiousiy after her husband
til he diSappeareSsin the darkness. and then
slowly, thoughtfnlly, she closed the door,
and going 10 the warm, bright sitting
room, leaned against the window, watch
ing the people ploddiRg by in the
now that was falling fast and thick.
'Ah mel a mothers heart never grows too
weary 10 watch and pray for her children,
and If VIII Only knew how how mine lonced
for him to come. he would grieve ME no
longer. Maybe We were harsh and cold
when he expected love and sympathy, but
we thought We were doing right, We loved
him 30 tenderly If he could only know
how often have wept over every seemingly
cross word l ever spoke 10 him he would
stay away no longer. Ny boy, my only boy.
wherever YOU are. you must remember your
father and mother and your old hsme, for
this is the Thanksgiving thatwe always tried
TO make so bright and happy for You. ]
shall never forget the night that he came
home from the Office and told US that he was
going to be married, and he 50 young he had
never seemed anything but boy to US. We
plead with him to wait, to let Us know some
thing OF the girl, 'bnt IL was all useless, and
he grew angry, and his father told him of
some OF his conduct that i had never known
That made him crazy with passion, and he
answered our questions with curses and the
toughest language, and had / not held his
upraised hand then, blows would have been
added 10 his other hss behavior. His father
commanded him then 20 leave the house,
and, with an awful oath that he would never
come into il again, he rushed away, and
have never seen him since. He ran
away with a girl and married her,
and her people were 81 angry as We. Tor they
knew what I did not, that my Will was a
wild, bad young man. We wrote everywhere
we could hear lac had been. but We never
have received an answer, and he is lost to
ME now, though believe, yes know, IL
God wills il, that / shall find him again.
What makes me so restless tonight. l won
der? can not keep still is il because
miss my boy so much, or because this is
strange city7 Well, never want 10 see the
old home again until go back happy and
contented, aDd think sometimes
maybe that Will only be when
am carried back in my coffin" The
little mother" as Will had once loved to
call her in the good old days at home took
of her spectacles and wiped the tears from
the seft blue eyes that were sparkling and
bright in the days of ''auld lang syne,r bnt
were now dimmed and faded. How the
weary days and nights OF watching and
weeping, OF praying and hoping, have worn
the lustre and beauty of youth from the
mothers face, and left onlv wrinkles and
sadness OF cid age, and yet We d. not notice
the change at al, may be, until for the las1
time We kiss lips and brow and lay tke cold
still form in ats narrow bed Mrs Parker
did not close the shutters nor draw down
the curtEins- 1T IS cheap pleasure and /
always indulge init, letting people see the
light and cheer Of home. il makes the cold
dreary walk shorter, and Il anybody on the
street has no place TO so 10 maybe il viii
make item less sad and faint And have
a little hope that some night cur boy may
wander into the light, see his home and coae
IA again, and II We were 70 close the blinds
he would never know we were waiting"
she fxed the fire, stirred the
bed of gloaing Goals and then
IL she had suddenly remembered some
plan, she took her parse from the drawer and
went down 70 the X schen-not damp DARK
place, uninvltiTie and gloony. room that
was 70 be Stunned and avoided by the ser
SAINTS the moment fbeir work was oyer, but
warm aud comfortably, Suitably furnished.
1t was bone spot 70 the two girls who nos
occupied IT.
Mary. want yoa and Hannah 10 fix up
some things 10 take home early in the morn
ing TO y0ur mother. J viii lay them out for
you now. Mr.. Parker has ordered too much
for just rs to eat, and feas have made the
ranne mistake"
you will have some company, won't you,
ma'am? Everybody does ON Thanksgiy-
ing"
ffC< IL