Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-11-30

I father has lost his work, Billy's spasms ar
getting worse, and the brindle COW has gon,
dry, when she ought to be milking plenty
"But" began Dotty-trying to say sOEt
of the things that were half-shapen in he
thoughts,-"but father is not dead, ikt
Austin Bonier's father, and we've got two
COWS yet to give quarts and quarts; and
don't you think it is nicer to make the nice
things than not to hare any at all to eat
l know it is bad about Billy, but mamma
saws that God knows best"
She stopped, flushed with the effort sht
had made to tell her thoughts.
There was low rap at the door, and the
call, "Come in" from Regetta, brought
in small, scantily-clad figure, shivering at
the kitchen door.
"0h you've got fire, haven't you ?'-
said the little newcomer, nesting up tC
the red-hot stove, where the pots were
blnbbering over, and the odor of good
things was very strong.
"Fire Well, if | ever! Fire, when
the wind is blasting like that outside; who
wouldn't have fire r
Everybody has it that can, I suppose;
butyou know it takes so much wood to
keep it burning all the time, some people
cannot. Tim-that's my brother-and l
got great lot yesterday, but we do not
want to burn it right up in a minute"
"Dosen't your father get the wood 7"
inquired Regetta, looking up, as she knelt
on one knee, giving the last poke to the
log with which she was replenishiDg the
fire.
"There is nobody but US; father is dead"
"Tim Sryker is good to cut and haul
wood; why don't your mother get him to
do it9 Are your woods neaTP
Judge Swift lets US go to his woods
for faggots and things; you know we have
no woods; and, as TO mother getting any
body, why, mother has us, yod know"
'Barbary Brennan-that is your name,
isn't it l-got yO@2'
"Yes, and sbe says that, of all the things
she has to be thankful for, she Is most
thankful for us"
Thankful for itl It's you who lives
at the old Swift lodge; that is all tumbled
down but Que room !"
"Yes.7
"And your mother broke her arm9'
"Why, yes, but it is her left arm, think
how much worse it might have been had
it been the right. Mother says that
mercies ara all the time coming TO her." ]"
''Does your mother wear spectaclesY"
"No; yes-sOmetimes," looking up,
wonderingly.
a thought so, for it must take big
glasses to see her mercies."
II don't know, but mother saws she will
have great deal to be thankful for to-
morrow; but l was forgetting, mother has
heard all about yonr brother who is sick,
aud she is srry for him; she sent these
herbs to make a tea, and a paper to tell
how he must take the tea, for she is sure
it will make him better.'
Regetta stood with the herbs in her
hands, as the little figure turned to the
door, leaving the great roaring fire regretful-
ly. and dropping a courtesy as she said,
"Good d,bye."
"Won't the pumpkin burnp inquired
Dotty, on her tiptOes over the stove.
"Like as not" broke out Regetta. ''Pll
give up forever about mercies, if that
woman in the Lodge has any; and now l
think oft, Dotty. it is something to hare
father, even if he is out of work; and to
have woods, and some one to cut up trees.
And when, the next day, Dotty saw
Regetta trying on her bonnet, to 60 carry
a Thanksgiving to the old Swift Lodge,
and afterward saw her so still and rever-
ent when the Thanksgiving prayers were
said at service lime, she felt sure that, after
all, Regetta did see nercies and was. foi
sure and certain, giving thanks
GEO. KLINGLE.