Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-25

NO. go.
Gales ano Skettbes.
For the Journal,
BESSlE'S THANKSGIVING.
Continued from Yesterday. }

Continued from Yesterday
''Arah thin. but me fire is most out an
mesili talking so long wild Mrs Mckay
They do say sir there be lots of throuble
wild the injuns in the gould country. an
the sogers are hunting and dhriving them,
the red divils" said Bridget. bustling into
the kitchen; her good-natured face all in
a glow from the frosty air. Miss Nellie
says we are 10 kape Thanksgiving an its
the Elegant dinner I'll cook tor wees. won
that I'll do honor to the house, an the mis-
thress-bless her swate facets coming
down to make the little pies. like she has
always done since she has kept house"
she continued hurrying round and getting
various things out of the pantry, her voice
Just a little bit unsteady and her lips auv-
ering. for though she had been strictly
forbidden to speak of her mistress before
the old man, as i'll, she had lived in the
family too long and loved its members too
well not TO feel keenly, as she told the
hired man. Seeing the likes on her thry-
ing TO he so peart, and herself looking so
| like ghost, so sick she is. a thriving to
hide il from the old man. Alack day
but a pity it is that masther will liver wint
away sure no good comes o laving a
swate wife and child for the shine of the
gould at all at all,
The day before Thanksgiving dawncd
clear and bright. No snow had fallen as
yet. but pure white covering of frost had
stolen over all the trees during the night
making the boughs glitter in the sunshine
as though covered with gems. The frs
| in the corners of the broad door-vards made
3ess fairly scream with delight "A'vs
making booiul Tansdivin ant 'ay danpa?
See. see bossy" she continued. pointing
with her finger; rs one of the Young cattle
escaping from the yard, ran copering un-
der the trees. bringing down Il shower of
the frosty PARTICLES.
Lets ats "a bcssing from 'bove on
bossy, like I'll dit if does out are.
Bridget say Tansdvin bessng ant it
danpa ?" looking at him rather doubtfully
as the old man was silent, she was en-
gagged few minutes afterwards in inform
ing her kitten coniidentially, that ''danpa
din't like Tansdivin, but Bessie does, lots.
don't 90 kittie ?" and as Bess hugged her
kittie rather too tight to be comfortable,
kittie said yes.
Wednesday eve had come The savory
odor that pervaded the whole house told
Of what one did hardly need eyes to prove
the rows on rows of goodies that had
grown that day under the deft fingers of
Aunt Nellie and Bridget, assisted by the
dctirc Supervision of Bessie-so active in
deed that when her brother Harry called
early in the afternoon Nellic begged him
to take Bcss to ride with him, Tor she be-
lieved the little witch had got her fingers
into everything that was being prepared
so far. When Bess returned her arms
were filled with packages, about which
bn fa1
doll
The cheerful open fire in the sitting
room blazed and cracked merriy The
old man sat in his easy chair in the cor
ner. quietly DOING as he had fallen into
the habit of doing of late. Bessy, with
her dolly clasped close in her chubby
arms. laid asleep on the lounge-a picture
/ of childish beauty and grace-which the
| little ones are much in the babit of max
ing when sleep has laid their mischievous
sranks aside aud clothed them with the
innocence of Eden.
| Mrs. Lane was leaning back in her low
chair rather wearily, discussing the ques-
ton with her sister, whether she had bet
ter try to attend church on the morrow
to which Nellie gave decided negative
when the click of the gate and rapid
step on the frozen ground arrested their
attention.
In few moments Bridget came and
said that Miss Nellie was wanted In the
kitchen.
Something-was it a premonition caused
Mrs. Lane to rise and follow her A tall
bearded man stood by the table; their
ewes -''Jennie"-"Will'' was all
their lips uttered as he sprang and caught
her in his arms. But who can pen the
soul-language of Thanksgiving which rose
like sweet incense from their united hearts
to Him who had safely brought the lost
one home.
Ah those tears were sacred which fell
on the unconscious face of little Bess as
the husband and wife bent over her in
PRAYER.
The slight disturbance in the room
reused the old man. who was not slow in
comprehending the joyful IS. yet as he
passed his trembling hand over the rough
bearded face he sighed, for he could hard
Is reconcile it with his ever-presen, mem
orv Of his beautiful boy
Truly a happy group gathered around
The family altar that night, as the tones OF
the venerable man rose clear and sweet in
words of praise anil Thanksgiving to the
"All Bouniiful.
Bessie told her dolly rs she was being
put TO bed very late by aunt Nellie, that
she didn't like at papa's man much. VIII
big whsters :" but she changed her mind
the next day in a most feminine manner.
under the influence of a gift from him OF
"a box Of bon bons, and informed him that
she loved him '''most as well as she did
Kitty" which he laughingly declared
quite satisfactory.
There was plenty OF joy at the feast.
and Bessie contrived to possess herself OF
an ample share Of the dinner she was ..io
be fankful for" but she told Bridget, af-
terwards, that "Tansdivin' dinner was
uDtomforlum anyway; wis had tower
to my 'tomach; tould take part of it cut,
'touldn't !, Bridget?''
Mr.. Lane had marvellous story Of ter
rible privations and hair-breadth escapes.
He had gone to an out-of-the-way locality,
from which it was impossible to commu-