The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-11-16
Thanksgiving at Rose Farm.

1t was the morning before Thanks
giving at Rose Farm, and the children
had gathered in the kitchen to assist
mamma in preparations of the next days
feast. 1t was not holiday at the village
school, but, as company was expected at
the farm-sweet Cousin Florence and
Uncle Dick-a generous Thanksgiving
dinner was under way, and Mrs. May
nard had consented to the children re-
naming at home to assist her.
Deacon Maynard, his wife and their
four children were the occupants of Rose
Farm, and happier, merrier, better
disposed family could not be found any
where. The deacon was an intelligent
farmer, who provided well for his family,
and who was noted in the nelghborhood
for strict integrity and a kind heart.
Mrs. Maynard was devoted wife and
indulgent me ther-a comfort to the poor
and to all who needed sympathy or aid.
Alex Maynard, their eldest boy, was IA,
handsome and noble-hearted; then came
Helen, who was II, as admirable as her
mother, and known in the village as its
prettiest girl. Daisy was the next step
in the Maynard Staircase romp-
ing, saucy, teasing gypsy, with
eyes, hair and complexion as
brown as a chestnut. She was the most
pugnacious- looking child you could well
imagine her hair was like mop-it
never would lie straight, but would hang
over her eyes, until her mamma, in self
defense, had it changed" for, she said,
it would make the whole family cross
eyed looking at the unruly locks. Ar
thur Maynard, the baby, was 6 years
old-just in trousers et-tempered,
obedient boy, the pet of the household.
Daisy said she loved him "almost to
pieces" but could not help teasing him
when he sucked his fingers, baby trick
in which he still INDUCED.
The large kitchen at Rose Farm was q
picture of home comfort on this morning
before Thanksgiving. A broad pine
table stood at one side, on which there
was big yellow pumpkin, and wooden
chopping- bowl filed with something
very nice, as one would have supposed,
had they seen the young Maynards TAX
ing "little tastes" as they gathered
about it. Then there was pasteboard,
a rolling-pin, pan of flour, pot OF
fiaky lard, and dish of yellow butter.
Peggy, the "help," was mending the
fire in the brightly -blackened stove.
Mrs. Maynard came into the room with
a big box OF raisins, and said, "Ale1
and Daisy may stone raisins for the pud
ding, while Helen prepares TIE turkey,
and Arthur can sit on one end of the Ia
BILE and look on"
How many raisins may we eat
mamma ?" shouted Daisy. Very few,
gypsy or you will have the stomach-acht
to spoil your pleasure tomorrow.
Alex said, 81 will have to do as the
cabin-boy on shipboard did when he
stoned raisins for the Captains plum
pudding he was compelled to whistle
all the time so that he could not ea'
any," Alex and Daisy seated them
selves, with newspapers on their laps, {
chair standing each side, on which were
the box of raisins, and the dishes fol
them after they had been pitted.
81 don't think / can stand this sticky
work very long" said Alex, after he hat
stoned about dozen raisins. " Yor
girls had better do it and let me go u
the mill for the cider.
II would not give up so soon" sale
Daisy, who declared her nose was itch