Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-01-06
We'll keen Thanksgiving

OF q one and L can't say 1eei thanR-
, ful much either
"Anl then there amt any pump
: kins,' said little Lizzie. '1and no tur-
|. key"
There is a pumpkin" said the
mother triumphantly--"a good one
I've kept watch over tits all
Iright''
Hiram groaned, thinking of the
wagons full that rolled to market the
year before.
"And." said the comfortable wo-
man, Il think roast pork with apple
sauce as good as turkey. We have
got two barrels Of apples. | shall
keep Thanksgiving. | wouldn't miss
it for any consideration: and Hiram,
you go to church and take Jack, and
FL get dinner for you'll and Lizzie
and Sue"
"Churchm said Hiram.
"Yes, church." SAID Sara.
And she had her way.
Madse 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 ont doors to look for eggs.
Some of the chickens had been lost
in the fire; some had since died mys-
teriously: 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
calculation, there must be three or
! four somewhere.
At last Sara heard cackle, and
carefully espied speckled gray's head
protruding from the ruins of the
barn.
/ Certain beams and boards had
! so fallen as to make hiding place
for speckle, and thither she was
vending her way. Sara Fielding
followed her. An arms length in,
she could see, by crouching 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 ly
llS blcIt--Itldt SLiiucu, DidChCHCu
thing, with glimpses o { red leather at
the edges? Was 1t book? Was it |
- Yes, it was "A great, soft 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 it open
she saw that what was within was
discolored and stained. but was not
burnt. Their little fortune was safe;
there was hope and courage for
Hiram now. :,
1t is strange how much determina-
tion will do. Sara Fielding would |
have tainted on the ground but for
the spirit with which she fought
away the weakness that crept over;
but she did not get into her kitchen
without doing it, and then she flung
herself upon her knees and wept
and prayed together and grew
strong.
II 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 it, the one pumpkin"
He spoke little bitterly as he ut
tered 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--coyered.
whats that?" asked little Jack.
"Oh, jack said Susan.
'Hush,'' said Lizzie.
''Will you give thanks. HirlmT
said his wife.
81 suppose 1 ought" said Hiram.
"We've got a house over us this
year. Next. perhaps--no matter"
He bent his head, and uttered a
few words of thanksgiving, thinking
of all that disappointed man does
think even then.
Then he leaned back in the chair.
"Take the cover off the little dish,
Pa" cried Lizzie.
"Why, what's in the little dish"
asked Hiram. ''Why do you all look
so?''
And Sara reached across and lifted
the lid and Hiram knew.
Every thing was safe-the coupon
bonds, the money, the receipts-that
of the wicked creditor included. In
contrast with his state yesterday,
Hiram felt himself rich man, and
he had the opportunity of starting
fair and even with the world again
at least.
Sara was not the only one down
whose cheeks tears ran that day
tears of joy and thankfulness.
And it all came about, says Hiram
to-day, because my Sara kept up her
heart so well, was thankful to
Heaven for all it's mercies, and made
the best she could of our one pump
kin.