Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-22
housewifely pride at the fine array of pies
set forth on the buttery shelves.

"Only one more day and then it will
be time to eat. l didn't take but one
bowl of hssty padding this morning, so
shall have plenty Of room when the nice
things come" con6ded Seth to Sol, as be
cracked large hazel-nut as easily as a
squirrel.
mo need of my s,arvin' beforehand.
1 aI'oays have room enough, and I'd like
to have Thanksgiving every day." an
swered solomon, gloa,ing like young
ogre over tie little pig that lay near by,
ready for roasting.
"Sakes alive, don't. boys It's q
marcy it don't come but once year. |
should be worn TO thread paper with all
this extra work atop of my winter weavin'
and spinnin'," laughed their mother, as
she plunged her plump arms into the
long bread-trough and began to knead
the dough as if a famine was at hand.
lilly, the oldest girl. red-cheeked,
black-eyed lass of fourteen, was grinding
briskly at the mortar, for spices were
costly, and no, grain mus, be wasted.
Prue KEEP, time with the chopper, and the
twins sliced away at the apples till their
little brown arms ached, for all knew
how TO work, and did so now with a
will.
- think it's real fun to have Thanks
giving a, home. I'm sorry Granm is
sick, so we can't 90 there as usual, but !
like TO mess round here, don't you, girls ?
asked lilly, pausing to take a sniff at the
spicy pesIle.
1T will be kind Of lonesome with only
our own folks" II ike 10 see all the
cousins and aunts, and have games, and
sing cried the twins, who were regular
little romps. and could run, swim, coast,
and shout as well as their brothers.
- don't care a mite for all that. 1t
will be so nice to eat dinner together,
warm and comfortable at home" said
quiet Prue. who loved her own coy hooks
like a cat.
Come, girls, fly round and get your
chores done, so we can clear away for
dinner Jest as soon as | clap my bread
into the oven called Mrs. Basseit pres
emily. as she rounded off the last loaf Of
brown bread that was to feed the hum
gry mouths that seldom tasted any other.
Here's a man comm up the hill live
IL - Guess it's Cad Hopkins. ia told
him to bring dozzen oranges, II they
warn't too high - shouted Sol and Seth.
running TO the door. while the girls
smacked their lips at the thought OF this
rare treat, and Baby threw his apple
overheard. as if getting ready for new
cargo.
But all were doomed TO disappointment,
for il was not Cad. with the much desired
fruit. Itwas a stranger, ~ho threw him.
self of his horse and hurried up 10 Mr..
Bassett in the yard, with some brief mes
sage that made the farmer drop his ak
and look so sober that bis wife guessed
a. once some bad news had come ; and
CRYING. Mothers wuss, know she is )!
out rau the good woman, fOTgetful of the
-four on her arms and the oven waiting
for its mos, important batch.
The man said old Mr.. Chadwick, down
to Keene, stopped him as he passed, and
told him TO tell Mrs. Bassett her mother
was faihn' fast, and she'd better come to-
dav. lie knew no more, and having de-
liyered his errand ne rode away, saying It
looked ike snow and he must be Jogging,
or he wouldn't get home till night.
I've must go right off, Eldad. Hitch
I'D. and III be ready in less n no time,
said Mrs. Basse,t, wasting not a minute
in tears and lamentations, but pulling of
her apron as she went in, with her head
in a sad tumble of bread, anxiety, tur-
kew. sorrow, haste, and cider apple
sauce
A few words told the story, and the
children left their work to help her get
ready, mingling their grief for Gran'ma
with regrets for the lost dinner.
I'm dreadful sorry dears, but IT can
be helped. Icouldn't cook nor eat no way
now. and if that blessed woman gets bet
ter sudden, as she has before, we'll have
cause for thanksgivin', and III give you
a dinner you wont forget in hurry,
said Mrs. Bassett, as she tied on her
brown silk pumpkin-hOOd, with a sob
for the good old mother who had made it
for her.
Not child complained after that, but
ran about helpfully, bringing moccasins,
heating the fooi-stone, and getting ready
for a long drive, because Granma lived
49, Il. ..n. nnI thnra ware M