The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-23

personages? That's the way with men,"
IF u man only valued me at my monetar,
value, should not care very much for hi
friendship" said Mrs. Cayanaugh. "Tme
love is based on no such motives, m,
child"
~ always thought Robert noble, honor
able young man, said Mabel.
Just then Mr.. Cavanaugh came in with
two chickens and turkey, and deposited
them upon the kitchen table, He glanced
over to the side OF the room where Mabel
was sitting, and saw traces Of tears upon
her face. Instantly he was beside her, his
arm around her and fathers loving kiss
upon her cheek. Mabel was his only
daughter, and keenly he felt the position
he had placed her In. Dear child, he
said, 81 know you are very unhappy and
lonely Forgive your loving father for be.
ing the means OF bringing you away from
all your old friends. Would to God" he
said, Il had come alone and left you all in
Mapledale. o! these reverses OF fortune!
In later life they are enough to kill man.
! can bear them myself, but my poor,
poor family"
The father sat down in chair and groaned
aloud. Instantly Mabels arms were thrown
| around his neck. please, dear father,
don't feel SO badly. WILDE contented and
happy. Home would not be home without
you, and am glad we all came together. /
know have been ungnteful ana wicked,
but do love You, father dear, and I will
promise to try to be dutiful daughter,
henceforth, and will try to make our west.
ern home happy one. :"
whats up; everybody u crying" said
Tad and Hal, as they burst into the room
Who's dead now suppose you arc all
greatest country you ever saw to grow rich
in. Sam Hawkins showed me corn four
teen feet tall, his folks raised this year, and
the wheat is bigger than any the farmers
grow east"
Tad's cheerful outlook Of the situation
made them all laugh, and preparations for
the Thanksgiving dinner proceeded with
more heart work as we'll as hand work. The
looked for day came. The sun rose bright
and full. There was nothing about the
weather suggestive Of the sad November
days" The family all went to church in
the morning, and really thanked the Oliver
Of every good and perfect gift for all tho
blessings he had still preserved to them.
.You had better keep on your black
cashmere dress, Mabel, and your coral orna-
ments, and put that scarlet bow in vour
hair" said the mother; father likes to sec
you dressed in that manner you know"
Mabel thought Of somebody else who used
to say he likedto see her in scarlet and black,
too, but she said not u word about that, but
tried to talk very cheerfully to father, who
was evidently thinking Of the past.
Lets 60 down, Tad" said Hal, 'and SEQ
the train come in, and get a paper for ia
ther. think its real fun. The folks eat
dinner here and the train stops twenty min
utes."
Both boys dashed out. "Be home in
time for dinner" the mother called after
them. Mabel sat by the window and
watched the incoming train, too. There
was nobody coming she knew, but it made
a little excitement to see the people get OFF
and on the cars. The train stopped. Acrowd
OF people went into tho station to get din
ner. One man with travelling bag in hand,
stopped to talk to Tad and Hal. Soon Ma
bel saw Tad running toward the house in
great haste, and Hal and the stranger walk
ing leisurely behind. Father there's
somebody coming here" who can it be2"
Instantly all faces were at the window.
Perhaps it's brother William" said Mr..
Cayanaugh "He wrote that he was COM
ing west before long. But I thought no
would let US know when to expect him."
II say. Mabel" said Tad-almost breath
less-''Bob Whitlock's come; he is coming
up the street with Hal. Will you give me
ten cents II I'll keep out of the room TO-
night2"
Mabel had scarcely time to recover hor-
self before the new conner was in the room.
"How fortunate it is, dear mother, that
We got n good dinner" said Mabel, after the
welcomed friend had taken seat by the
fire. and Mrs. Cavanaugh md her daughter
had gone to the kitchen 10 take up the din
ner. do you wish you were under the in
tluence of an anodyne now, Mabel?" said
her mother, smiling.
Don't speak Of 1t, mother, lam ashamed
Of the way talked yesterday. am an ur-
grateful, undeserying wretch"
II thought 1t was about time began to
to look after my interests in this section of
the country" said Robert Whitlock, when
later in tho afternoon they two sat alone to-
gether. why didn't you answer my letter,
"Your letter, Robert" said Mabel, 81
never received any letter from YOU"
us il possible that SO much sweetness has
been lost in the dead letter Officer" Robert
after you left Mapledale."
"And II thought you had forgotten
me, said Mabel.
Forgotten you, dearest one, I imagine
not. You have been in my thoughts con-
stantly. To tell you the truth, Mabel, Ma
pledale is a very dull and lonesome town
since You left, aud I've taken Horace
Greeley's advice, and the inclination of my
own heart US well, and am going to try my
chances ont west. / want to secure the
promise that You will be my own little wife,
too, rs soon as I got home ready for you.
Did come on FOOLS GRAND, NIabel?"
Robert Whitiock was soon convinced that
he came oil no FOOLS errand, and that the
warm, loving heart he asked for was already
his own.
How very happy those two young lovers
were as they sat in the November twilight
and made their plans for the future.
This has been the happiest Thanksgiv-
ing of all my life. mother" said Mabel. az
she kissed her mother goodnight. "How
good God has been to me. trust shall
never doubt his providence again, and
what ever comes to me Of joy or sorrow in
after life, that may be enabled to preserve
q cheerful, patient spirit. Robert and
expect to have home Of our own before
another Thanksgiving dry comes. and then
We shall have the dinner, and you will ali
come and eat ii with us"
-H-
The New Food ''Nutricine."