The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-11-26

pretty, comfortable home, there was an
odd little smile on papa's face. and
mamma said. as they went in: boys,
go directly to the nursery and take of
your coats, and then come down."
In twinkling the boys were in the
sitting room, their eyes big with curl
osity. Whom do you think they SAW
Sitting by the fire. in their own pretty
camp chairs, were two boys of about
their size, thin and pale and dirty; in
ragged, scanty clothes. seemingly as
much surprised at being there as am
one else could be. Instantly mamma
said. in her sweetest voice, holding out
her hands to her own boys:
'Jack and Fred Howard, here are
Bob and Tom White, who have come to
visit US. We hope to give them a very
happy day."
Fred and Jack were very dear chill
dren. but they were surprised and dis
appointed. Forgetting "the law of
love" and the "golden rule which
older people forget most sadly, too,
Fred stood cycling the guests with
something like scorn, I am sorry to
say, while Jack, turning away from
his mothers outstretched hand. cried
out:
ST don't like 'em; I don't want 'em
here"
Bob and Tom fidgeted aud turned
red, gazing in awe at the pictures.
vines, easy chairs, and most of all at
Mrs. Towards beautiful face, turned so
kindly toward them. Then she spoke:
Erred and Jack. my darlings, let me
tell you q true story. found these
little boys down on Park-st., that first
day it showed. They have no home;
they have no father or mother, no one
to take care of them. Bob holds horses,
sweeps crossings, or does anything he
can to earn q little for Tom and himself.
A woman down near the engine-house
lets them sleep in her woodshed. Their
father and mother died of yellow fever
last summer, while we were at grand
pas" Here her voice faltered for a
moment dear old father had died
only q few months before-but then she
went on: II have brought them here
to-day to let you see what Thanksgiv-
ing's for; and I hope they will find out
before they leave u.s." She stopped,
and waited for an answer. Fred came
quickly forward, and said to Bob:
Haven't You any homer" To this
loving boy home meant all that was
dear in the world.
mo-" briefly replied Bob, surveying
Fred's blue suit and bright buttons with
sharp and wistful eyes. Nearer came
little Jack, his cheeks red with excite
ment.
Haven't you any mammap'' he cried
out, as if he couldn't believe SO great
sorrow could be borne.
"No," again said Bob, this time put
ting up q rough, dirty hand to his
eyes.
''Nor any baby sister," asked Jack,
now standing close beside them.
NO." broke in Tom, with q little
choke in his voice; ''she died before the
rest"
Poor little Jack! the smiling baby
sister, in the rose-lined cradle up
stairs. was very angel to him, and
this was too much. Bursting into tears,
he cried out, clasping his arms around
her neck: 'Oh, mamma, I do feel so
sorry for them. Can't you do some
thing for them?''
Fred was crying too, now, and papa
walked to the window and stood with
his back to them all, but mamma
smiled. though tears were in her eyes.
Drawing Fred close to her, she said,
laying her hands on Jacks curly head,
buried in her lap:
''Shall we give them some good warm
clothes. and when they are washed and
dressed shall they come and eat dinner
with usp Shall we give them a look al
baby, and let them hold her little hands
in theirsa Shall they play funny games
with us after dinner: and sing with us
when it is nearly dark shall papa 20
with them to q kind man, who will take
care of them, and never let them be
homeless or hungry any morer'
So this was the way Fred and Jack
learned what Thanksgiving was for"
m T. Tribune.