The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-12-04

cake and pies and everything" said Tommy,
with a hungry look in his large eyes, John
ny Hsrland says his folks has got a great big
turkey, and punkin pie, and sallery, and
lots of things for Thanksgiving. Why don't
God give everybody good things for"
"Oh. hush Tommy dear; we can't ask
such questions" Margaret answered, has
tening to silence him, lest her father should
come and overhear.
"why can't we ask such questions?" ap-
I'VE can ask them, Tommy; indeed, we
can't help ii; but we can't answer them, /
think sister meant. But here the discussion
ended for the father entered, and the fam
lily. all except Bessie, drew up to the neatly
spread table to partake of their toast and
tea.
During this slight repast. Margaret, by her
pleasant talk and winsome way, beguiled
the rest into rejecting that they were not so
badly off as many others, after all, and when
a little later, she brought her father his
worn dressing gown and slippers, there was
look of deep thankfulness in his sad eyes,
that more than repaid her for all that she
had to do and bear.
The early evening wore away, Tommy had
been instructed and amused with sisterly
forethought, and was now lost IN slumber,
and Bessie, too, had been helped to her bed
in an adjoining room. All was quiet and
Margaret, drawing low stool to her father s
knee sat down to talk over with him the
events of the day and the prospects for the
morrow. knowing well that if she could not
ease his load, she could encourage him to
bear it. Again it was the oft repeated story
Nothing to do-nothing certain or perma-
nent''-an occasional job-e set OF books to
post, or some account to be taken of stock
when hands were SHORTCUT nothing to de-
pend upon-nothing that would so much as
pay the rent, not to speak of food, fuel and
clothing.
II can not mourn that your mother is
gone; she could not havesborne up under all
this as you do, my daughter" and the dis
heartened man buried his face in his hands,
completely overcome. The daughter was
silently weeping, more for the loss of her
mother than because of the restitution that
stared them in the face, but she reused her
self and laying a hand on her fathers, said
"Don'tfeel so, father; things are not so bad
yet. 1t is Thanksgiving being so near makes
you think of 1T more. You always thought
so much of Thanksgiving"
"And now, to have nothing but bread for
my children on Thanksgiving day. | never
could have believed 1T would come to this,
Margaret-neverp
Il shall have some money tomorrow and
mean to get chicken for Thanksgiving. ]
wanted to surprise you ALL but, now, We will
surprise Bessie and Tommy"
Mr.. Leslie smiled family as he laid ca.
ressing hand upon the bowed head at his
knee.
'.You are such wonderful girl, Margaret.
/ believe you are entirely made up of hope
and patience"
There you are mistaken, father; hopeful
may be, but often give way to Impotence,
especially when / realize how much Bessie
needs that we can not get her."
The father hesye6 sigh, and Margaret
fastened 70 do away with the effects of her
saddening allusiOn.
CDR Sterling is coming to see her to-mor-
row." she said, coloring, somewhat to her
own surprise and avoiding her fathers eye.
81 met him tonight. He inquired about you
and said be would call TO see Bessie"
Why had she put off telling this, and bur-
ried over it so nervously?
II am sorry he is coming" Mr.. Leslie said
quickly. II hate TO be under obligation
that have no prospect of liquidating es-
pecially to one who has already done so much
/ for us 1t is beyond any physicians power
| to help your sister, Dr. Sterling has tried
and failed, and he is at the head of his pro-
/ fession."
"But his visits do Bessie good" ventured
Margaret, timIdly. 'She is always more
cheerful and self.helpful afterward, and she
seems to gain hope and courage. III you
would only tell HIM of that constant pain in
| your head he would relieve that, am sure,
and teel it no trouble; he is so kind hearted
| and tender toward those in trouble" and her
voice grew tremulous as her thoughts went
back to her mothers sick room, where that
! same physician had nlinistered, day after
| day, with unvaryIng care and solicitude.
"1es, know, Margaret he is one of the
| best of men as we'll as physicians, but we
must not allow him to give his services fol-
/ nothing"
Papa, you are talking too long," said
| Margaret, suddenly, 1.-The pain in your head
/ is worse, +" she added, with deep concern in
! her voice, Had you not better go to bed
and to sleep?"
And you, Margaret" looking searchingly
into her eyes. Why! child! are you sick?
/ should think you had a fever" and he took
| her hand in his own.
The hand was cool enough-too cool, per.
haps, for health, and the soft hazel eyes were
bright unwontedly so, but the lids were
heavy and told plainly of WEAKNESS. Mar
/ garet protested, however that she was not
sick, and with a goodnight kiss and an
| injunction not to sit up late, her father left
her.
/ Had it come to this? Could she not speak
| of Dr. Sterling nor hear another speak OF
| him without sending every drop of blood in
her veins to her cheeks! Could she not even
| hear his name but her heart must thumI
/ like trip hammeri 1t was provoking.
"And poor papa. with all else he has to wor.
ry him, hasgon TO bed with a vauge anxiety
| lest have fever. i ought to be ashamed OF
myself"
With this severe mental denunciation she
| produced her work basket
II will sew just two hours" she thought
| glancing toward the clock; that will not be
disobeying. This must be finished before
Thanksgiving" aud she unrolled yard after
yard of himsy rutfling, vaguely fancyIne
herself arrayed in like dainty material, pre-
pared for ball room, only to revert, the
nextinstant, to her somewhat sober thoughts
of father and Bessie and the needs of the
morrow. The sweet face was overshsdowed
for a time, but gradually there stole over Its
! WEAKNESS a CLEAN of brightness, as though
something pleasant had come slowly drifting
| over the horizon of the future. Presently
| the weary eyelids closed, the needle ceased
Its motion, the head sank lower aud lower
till it rested on the table, and the youne
| girl, with an expression upon her face o
calm content, floated away to the land o.
! pleasant dreams.