Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-24
NO. 278.
Gales ano Skettbes.
For the Journal.
BESSIE'S THANKSGIVING.
Bf II. NJ. c. +.

danced on the tips OF her plump little toes
round the farmhouse kitchen. "Ain't 90
dlad danpa" she continued. trying to
climb on his lap and failing most signally
Tor the small arms could not lit such
heavy budget rs our Bessie.
"What is it dear" said kindly voice.
as the old man with cropping hand that
told at once of blindness. lifted the eager
child 10 his knee. who told You about
Thanksgiving?"
"Tousin George did. He said at
folks's have lots of nice fings to cat. every
body does; an den 'ay tanks God for let
ting 'em have such dood dinner Does
we have Tansdivin danpa. say ?' pulling
at his sleeve for leaning his elbow on the
sill of the window. where he had been
sitting in the sunshine. he had placed his
hand over the sightlcss eyes and the tears
were falling thick and fast over the with
cred cheeks.
Bessie looked SO sorry as her round
face was capable Of and climbing up she
kissed him at the imminent risk Of fall
ing. and then Slipping quietly down, in
few moments was having u merry race
with her pet kitten, laughing with all the
careless glce of childhood.
bessie, come to auntie' called a sweet
'Ess. is tummin' answered Bess. as,
catching up her kitten by the loose skin
of her back, she trudgcd in the direction
OF the voice.
"Why, you are hurting kitty; you
mustn't carry her so." demonstrated the
lady.
"Ess me do, auntie, uncle Harry tarwys
me by my dwess back, and swings me SO.
and likes it," illustrating ny swinging
the now Thoroughly alarmed little kitten.
Hear how she screams, like do. The
lady sprang to the rescue of the kitten,
though she could not not forbear smiling
at the logic of the small philanthropist
"I'm going to take you to walk with
me. Bessie" she said, 80 you must try
and keep still long enough for me to get
you ready" taking the child .on her lap
and preparing to brush out the flossy
curls.
"Ess me do" said Bess, swinging her
feet as fast as possible.
The old man rose from his chair. and
taking his cane walked feebly to the door
of the room and said quietly
Nellie. as you pass Mr.. Orcutt's. you
had better tell him to send us one OF his
nice turkeys. Bridget is very good
cook, you know. and I've never yet passed
Thanksgiving without seeing one on the
table" with little ptiful quaver in his
voice toward the last. "Bessie wants
one too. don't she. pet, )" as the child came
bounding towards him.
''Ess, an mince pies, too-Georgie said
so-'en we'll have lots to flank God for,
won't we, danpa,h catching hold of his
hand and hopping on one foot by his side
as he went back to his sunny seat by the
window.
No wonder his face quivers with
emotion as his busy thoughts go back to
that happy Thanksgiving SO long ago,
when with his Mary he had begun new
life in the cottage built and planned with
loving care for his fair young bride.
His face grows radiant with a tender
glow as he thinks OF the five happy
Thanksgivings that came and went--of
the sweet faces of his boy and girl-and
the tears fall fast as he remembers how
the pure white snowflakes came softly at
Thanksgiving and covered the two graves
of mother and child, meath the shadow
of the favoriie maple on the hillside.
But his boy was left him--his beautiful
boy-with his bright, brave face and dark
clustering curls. Just as he saw him before
the veil of blindness shut out the sunshine
and opened to him world OF memories,
Just as he always will see him, for though
his form grew tall and stalwart, the arms
had the same loving, clnging clasp. and
the voice the hearty blithesome ring as Of
old
How short seemed the years He
could hardly realize that his boy had
grown a man. when he brought sweet
Jennie Albee to him, and placing her hand
in that Of his blind father. asked him tn
bless their union and receive her as n
daughter.
Refuse not he had he not known and
loved her all his life--the child of his
dearest friend, the playmate and friend oi
his Willie.
And the old mans eyes grew misty and
tender, as he thought how rich the boon OF
the long year4 Of loving care she had
given him, and sadly remembered the two
little graves tha: had found q place beside
the others meath the protecting shade Of
the maple.
Then Bessie came: and the young
father gazing into the blue eyes of his
child-so like her mother-grew restiye
beneath the goad Of "hard times" till
his veins burned with the western
fever.r-the greed Of gold--and his eyes
were ever turning toward the perilous
Black Hills, the III Dorado of the West.
Two years ago he had gone with
a party Of adventurers, and the tones
of his CHEEKY voice comes back to the
old mans memory like an echo. ''Good
bye father, Jennie and little Bess! I'll bt
back before two years prepared to settle
down and make model farm of this, ant
have everything we want that money car
buy
For nearly year they heard from hin
occasionally, that he was successful, bu
not satisfied. Then came long silence
till at last hope battled with dispair in th,
waiting anxious heart at home, till th
young's wife step grew slow and heavy
the feverish unrest Of hope depressed
No wonder the old mans heart swelle,
: and the sightless eyes brimmed over wit