The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-12-31
Children Column.
Benny's Thanksgiving Pie.
BY ARCHIE FELL.

tattoo against the closed door, quite
drowning Tips soft little please let me
come in, grandma. But the door open
ed, nevertheless, and placid voice re-
sponded-
Eyes, yesl to be sure. So you We come
to make grandma a visit"
"Yes'm, said Tip, meekly. They re
making Thanksgiving down in the kitch-
en-, and there wasn't ROOM
"Weu, to be sure and so they sent
you up here, where you can't get into
mischief"
And grandma looked complacently
around, upon the tall secretary with its
glass doors, the 5eau-tet over the mantle,
and the trusty bureau drawers, wherein
her cherished possessions were safely be-
slowed.
"Humphl" shifted Ray, suddenly re-
solving to disappOint the dear old lady
if he could.
We'll, dears," continued grandma,
what will you have to-day? the button
box, Or Pilgrims Progress, or the little
red trunk?"
q don't care much, sighed Tip, think
ing of the raisin-box, sugar-bowls, and
mince-meat, from which they had just
been banished.
&" I might tell you a story" suggested
grandma.
That's the thing-go ahead, shouted
D. H.. boo1 Co,o,,os+ o,ro,. 4bo boo1-
of the big easy-chair, and bringing up on
the roomy old sofa in the corner.
Tip folded her hands and smiled faint
ly.
LET me see, did I ever tell you about
Uncle Ben's Thanksgiving Pie?''
What really, truly one, grand
MAJ"
And Tip, all rosy and radiant, drew
her cricket close beside the old lady.
Ray came, too, hiding under his apron
the big, round snuf-box which he had
spied on the mantle and secured, in his
hasty transit over the ehair-back.
Not that grandma took snuf-no, in
deed she was too nice and sweet-voiced
for that but the snuf-box had belonged
to her grandmother, and was kept in the
medicine cupboard now because snuff was
good for cold in the head, and to guard
against insects. Grandma had been sprink-
ling some in her boxes that very morning
and forgotten to put it away.
1t was one Thanksgiving when I was
a little girl, began grandma.
"S'pose 'Theuselah and Noah and Dan I
was alive then, interrupted Ray, turning
his hassock into rocking-chair by setting
it up on edge
Ray Stedman, I'm ashamed of you
Folks in the Bible all died fore there was
any Bunker's Hill, or Indijuns, or Boston
either; and grandmas mother lived in
Boston, said Tip, loftily.
Tip owed her nickname to her fond
ness for history, and the fact that her
birthday came on the fifth of November
Il don't care they had Thanksgiving
in the Bible, cause mother read about it
last Sunday, and somebody grandmother
was there, said Ray, pulling the old
black cat into his lap with a view to Civ
ing her pinch of snuff.
SO they did and they sent things
around to poor folks Just as mother does
now. Oh, do think Thanksgiving are
splendid, specially if you could help get
ready. Now do keep still, Ray, and hear
about that pie"
AL the uneles and aunts and cousins
came home to Thanksgiving, and there
was such a housefull" resumed grandma.
The children, of course, had to wait till
the second table, which was a great trial
of our patience, although we never once
thought but what it was all right, as in
deed it was. Children were deal hap
pier and contented in those days than
they are now, when mostly they have the
first of everything. But the grown-up
folks did eat an amazing long time. There
they sat eating and talking, and talking
and eating, till they'd pretty much used
up the afternoon, never once thinking
about the rest of us, huddled around the
.parlor fire, too nearly starved to play
games or tell stories.
al do believe they eat backwards,
said Uncle Ben, little fellow about ten
years old, who kept vibrating to and fro
through the old-fashioned entry. Most
likely they'll keep right on till Christ
mas. I've thought Of something-just
you wait a minute !
Directly, grandmother felt gentle
squeeze, and looked down into Bennys
eager face. She was serving the pudding
and tucked big plum in his mouth be-
fore asking what he wanted.
Please, grandma, he whispered, if
We could have pie-jus one, to make us
forget how hungry we are.
Grandma laughed cheerily So you
shall, poor little dearsr she whispered
back. Tell Hannah-no, she is bringing
IL !