, 1880-05-10

mysterious ADVENT OF tn0 turkey, O0-
clared that her Bridget should come
right over and help prepare the din
ner.
"And you will come with the colonel
and dine with u.s." said the widow.
Certainly, if you desire it, and I
will come early and help prepare the
dessert"
1t was singular how like magic a
splendid Christmas dinner assumed
form and shape. Mrs. Cook sent
Bridget home for supply of fruits and
sweet-meats, but Mrs. Ray did not
overhear the words whispered in
Bridget's ear, "Tell Mr.. Cook we are
ready"
I think" said the widow, looking
out of the window, "that it is time the
unknown made his appearance with his
masonic friends. All, here they come;
one. two, three, four, five, six, with
their wives, Mr.. Baker, Colonel Cook,
and-a stranger"
"Oh," said Mrs. Cook, "that's Cap
tain Howard, an old friend of my hus
band, who is visiting at our house.
Bridget. put the turkey on the table" +"
Mrs. Ray met her guests at the door,
rallied the gentlemen on obliging q
poor widow to give Christmas dinner;
and asked the ladies if they had been
parties to the plot.
Mrs. Baker replied that it was the
gentlemen's idea entirely, and was not
at all to be wondered at; since it was q
well-established fact that most masons
were fond of good dinners.
''And are you a mason, also?' said
Mrs. Ray, turning to the gentleman
who had been introduced to her as
Captain Howard.
"I am," was the reply.
"Come, come." said Mrs. Cook, {" the
dinner will be cold.''
Hats and overcoats, furs and bonnets
were laid aside, aud the party were
soon in the dining-room.
9" will do the carving" said Mr..
Cook.
NO" said the widow, you shall
not unless you are the person who
brought the turkey. The donor of the
fowl shall carve it."
"Well, then," said the colonel, I
must resign the position to Captain
Howard"
Mrs. Ray looked amazedly at the
stranger. Who-where-I do not
understand it."
"Then you do not recognize me"
said the captain.
Mrs. Ray fastened her gaze upon
him. "Great heavens!" she cried, can
this be true? Is it-yes, it is my son
Howard risen from the dead.'
His arms were about her; she was
weeping joyful tears upon his bosom.
The other ladies laughed and cried by
turns, and even the gentlemen found a
pocket handkerchief convenient.
There it is" said Mrs. Cook at
length; 81 told you the dinner was
getting cold, and you must all take the
time for cry"
Howard Ray led his mother to the
table, and taking seat beside her, pro-
ceeded to do the honors of host, while
Mrs. Cook poured out the coffee; and
no happier party could have been found
upon that day. Nowhere was there
merrier Christmas than in the humble
cottage of Widow Ray. The handsome
young captain told them the story of
the wreck of the good ship Henry, and
of his miraculous escape; of his subse-
Quent capture by British men-of-war,
and the impossibility Of reaching his
home sooner. That he had arrived
only the evening before, and, meeting
Colonel Cook as he stepped out of the
he had with reluctance
to remain i,acog. until to-day,
that all might enjoy the reunion to-
gether; that during the previous even
ing he had learned that the masonic
lodge had relieved the old home of the
mortgage resting upon it, and had
his mother in his absence.
" And now, dear mother" he said in
conclusion. and drawing her closer to
his side, let US unto in grateful ac-
knowledgement of this true care of the
widow in her misfortunes."
So the problem was solved. It was
not one kind friend, but many, who
had ministered to her wants.
Reader, this is no fancy sketch; it is
founded wholly on fact, and is but one
of the many instances Of unostentatious
benevolence which might be truthfully
related.
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