The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-12-04
WHAT THANKSGIvING'S FOR.


FRED and Jack Howard sat by the
window watching the snow as it fell
fast to the ground. Little Jack, in his
kilt skirts and long curls, had great re-
spect and admiration for his brother
Fred, who wore jackets and trousers,
and had just arrived at the dignity of
boots, though mamma had said he
could not wear them "till snow came"
That was the reason they watched the
stormso eagerly, talking busily mean
while.
Erred, when is Thanksgiving"
asked Jack, trying to make picture
on the window with his finger, forget
ting mammals reproof the day before.
"Next Thursday" promptly replied
Fred, who was almost always willing to
answer Jacks questions, which, to tell
the truth were very numerous; in fact,
papa called him " a dear little interro-
CATION point" but Fred loved him, and
besides, liked to be appealed to, as if
wiser than Jack.
"How many days till then?" contin-
ued Jack, putting some frightful horns
on the animal which had been begun
for a cat.
"Six," patiently answered Fred, TAX
ing out his knife to sharpen his slate
pencil.
81 say, Fred" persevered Jack,
"tell me what Thanksgivings for, any
way"
"Why, Jack, it's to go to church
and have a good dinner" said Fred,
who had broken the nice point to his
pencil and was scowling little.
"And 60 to grandpa's, if he only
hadn't died." added Jack, turning
away from his cart studiesn to watch
Fred. do they keep Thanksgiving in
Heaven, FredP'
"Yes, Jacky, l think they do, of
course; but we go to church Sundays,
and we have tip-top dinners most every
day, if nothing happens, and we used
to go to grandpa's in summer time, too,
so don't just know what Thanksgiv-
ing is for" he concluded, reluctantly.
I'm pretty sure about the eating
part" said Jack, triumphantly, "for
Bridget making mince meat to-day,
and L had a taste," laughing to think
of the size of the "taste;" ''but that
can't be all it's for. Just see, Fred,
how it snowsr' and away went both
boys for coats, caps and mittens, as well
as boots, for the ground was now as
white as Bridget's frosted cake. The
busy little fellows had not heard their
mother come into the room, in time to
hear the last of their conversation. She
was pretty mamma, "the prettiest
lady in town." both boys stoutly MAIN
tained; a loving mamma, too, anxious
that her sons should grow into good,
noble men.
''They don't understand what Thanks.
giving is for!' she said to herself, in
surprise, as she drew her rocker nearer
the bright, open fire. "They must find
out. and how?"
Thanksgiving morning dawned bright
and cold; not snow enough for sleigh
ing, but enough to deck the fences and
trees in beautiful new winter dress.
and make home seem dearer than ever.
The Howard family gathered happily
around the breakfast table, tempting
with chicken, rolls, coffee and dough-
nuts, and attractive with some of man.
mas flowers at each plate.
80 glad l don't have to go down
town to-day, little woman" said papa,
and mamma smiled back her pleasure,
when Fred said, eagerly:
Mamma, who is the company we're
going to have to-dayP When will you
tell us?'
"They will be here when you come
from church; wait patiently till then,
DEAR" mamma answered, and sprang
to catch Jacks goblet of milk, which
he had upset while gallantly insisting
on giving her the rolls. After break
fast the boys passed the time in playing
with the baby, till they all went to
church together. Fred gave Jack a
reminding punch when the minister
read: "In everything give thanks"
and whispered, "now L guess we'll
find OUT" but though he listened well
for time, he got no clear idea, wonder
ing what harvests," "yellow fever"
accidents" and reforms had to do
with Thanksgiving" Jack occupied
himself with counting the buttons on
Charlie SCOTS coat, and whispered to
Fred "what comes next to twelvep"
when mammals hand ON his reminded
ullu JuttU Ill OAuICu oil bnC UiihiuS was
done by one person; and after long
time, it seemed TO Jack, church was
over, and they were on their way home.
Papa and mamma walked in front, and
taxed about the sermon and the sing
ing. Fred and Jack, behind them,
wondered who the company" was,
waiting for them now at home.
cit can't be Aunt Helen and the
girls, for they've got the mumps, and
can't go out doors. Glad we haven't
got 'em, Fred" said Jack, skipping
along backward to admire Fred's new
overcoat, with so many pockets!
"Nor Uncle John, for he's gone to
see that pretty lady who was here last
spring." said Fred. "Wonder what
he's gone to see her for; wasn't she
lovely, thought" and here Fred forgot
his dignity in a good-natured chase
after dog, in which Jack joined.
AS they went up the walk to their
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 off
your coats, and then come down."
In a 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