The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-12-06

turn nobody away hAngry. GIVE everyone
that asks for food something to eat, and, in
case you think il necessary, call either Mr..
Parker or me down stairs. / want to help
all that can
Her desires were all stated. her plans all
made, and yet she lingrrcd. Ii was really
more cheerful here in the kitchen with her
neat, tidy help than it was up stairs in
her parlor alone. She tried to let even her
servants see she cared for them and desired
their welfare and comfort as well as their
faithful labor.
The storm beat pitilessly against the
house, the wind piled the snrw in great
masses in the garden, or sent ii whistling in
fine mist through the door or window that
for a moment was ajar. The night was in
tenSely cold, and the signing, sObbing gale
was like the moan of a frozen, dying NOR
tai. and those who heard the sound shivered
AT the wall. There was a faint tap at the
outer door, and as Hannah sprang to answer
the summons Mrs. Parker arose and saying
Girls. it is some of your friends, i guess, -
turned TO leave the room. 1T is poor
woman who wants something 10 eat
mann" Bring her into the fire and give
her good supper. But guess had better
speak to her too. You are very
cold, l know, for this is an awful
night for woman to be
on the street" Yes. ma am, it is very bad
but my family is starving and had to come
ont to beg for food My husband is sick and
We have had nothing TO eat all day and my
little girl was crying with cold and hunger.
II you would please just give that 10 me in
paper will not stop 10 eat myself, for they
need il 50 much worse than /. We are
strangers here and I could not get any
thing 10 do, and had To beg. Ny husband
promised work, but the man disap-
pointed him, and We arc suffering. l never
knew what trouble was until my husband
was taken i'll and then tall came at once"
Have You no relatives?s Where was
your former homer"
I'VE have been moving so much | can
hardly answer you, but l have no one to
whom ] could apply. My family disliked
my husband and would not see either of Us
after our marriage and though my father
and mother are dead, some of my relatives
could help NE if they desired, and l have
never seen or known my husbands family
i can not tell you how thankful / am for
this food, but when ] assure you that my
husband las scarcely tasted anything to eat
for week. that he has pawned nearly all of
his clothing, that my little girl is barefooted
then you can imagine my gratitude. Nv
husband often talks of his mother and hsr
kindness TO the poor, and ] feel
only knew what we were suiferinsshe would
keep US at least from starvation. But
have written again and again, nut no answer
has ever come, and the other day we heard
tllol the ldllltN luONtt. anu luN ltd4
lac VIII never find them. But l must be of.
am thoroughly warmed again for the first
time in days, and will be so much better |
know alter he has had something 10 eat
4 look OF amazement, OF hope, of fear,
flashed oEer Mrs. Parkers gentle face as she
said, trying 10 be so calm, bat so signally fail
ing, What is YOUR husbands nameT'
will Parker"
- am his mother; be is my
boy, nay boy. Where is he? Han
nah, get my bonnet: / am going TO
'see him. Hurry. he is sick, and must get
70 him" 1T is too bad, fear, for you. You
are not used TO such weather. / will tell
VIII / have found you. Thank God, his
prayers are answered at last. am afraid
you are too old to 60 out into the storm.
Il am not too old 10 so 70 my boy when he
Is sick and needs me. His mother never
knew he wanted anything she could give and
refused him. And you are nay daughter
now-the only one l have on earth. We
must love each other, for need Won TO warm
my poor old heart. And Will has a little
girl. 1t does not seem q week ago since l
held him in my arms and rocked him TO
sleep. There, dear, wrap these furs around
you tight. And, Hannah, tell Mr.. Parker 10
bring a carriage, and come as quick
as be can. Where do you stay
now? Please tell her the address. And.
girls, build big fires all over the
LVA-t anu AdNC CNC4 iOOAL WdIllA. lON <1lL
going to bring company home 10 spend
Thanksgiving to give thanks that my boy
that was lost is found, and he nor his dear
ones shall ever leave me again. Have nice
hot supper and plenty of fires and tx lit
tie bed, for my granddaughter is TO be here.
am 50 happy, girls, I can only say, have
everything homelike."
birdie, mamma is coming soon. Now,
don't cry any more; it will break papa's
heart ! know you are hungry. but go 10
sleep and IL will not be 20 long till you get
some supper. Peer little feet; how icy cold
they are. o God, that my child should be
starving, my wife a beggar, and can not
mother, j would beg them on my
knees to forgive me and love me once
more 4 year tonight since I was par
doned by God, and surely they will rot re-
fuse my prayer, Hush, baby darling; cud-
die up close 70 me and will get you warm.
and I've will pray for poor mamma out in
the storm But the pangs of hunger and
cold were too keen, and she cried faint and
weak. The miserable, desolate room had
neither fire nor light in it, and the covers on
the bed were old and thin.
Maggie, wife, thought maybe vou had
persisted in the cold. You are nearly frozen;
come here and let me wrap this quilt around
you. What's the matter darling? You look
happy"
VIII, have brought some one-a great
friend-to see you"
'Motberi'
My boy!r and once moro the son rested
in the precious loving arms.
such Thanksgiving day had never come
before to this family, for there is more Joy
over the son that was lost and is found than
over all that went not astray. Scarcely
like himself was old Mr.. Parker as he sat by
his son. 50 much stronger and better grown
in day. Scarcely the same gentle, quiet
woman was the mother in her rapturous hap
pines, bat more joyous. more contented was
Birdie as she caressed and petted the kind,
loving ones whonl{ she had never known
lafo