The Evening critic., 1881-11-24
THE REASON WHY.
For THE EvExrSo CRITIC.

amid their children and their children's
children, drawn to the annual festival from
out the devious paths of that active life OF
energetic endeavor that is the mainsprinp
of American prosperity. The calm content.
ment of family reunion seemed to settle
upon them with the gathering darkness
and inscnsibly the merry group fell into q
temporary silence, suddenly broken by the
clear tones of tiny prattler rebelling child
like against quiet, and propounding to gem
eral space the problem why is IL Thanks
giving ?"
The silent circle awoke from reverie, rs
the young mother answered in monitory
accents: "Has my darling boy no thanks
to give for what he has received to-day p
"Oh, yes Pm thankful for my new
suit"
For nothing else?"
"Well-yesl For the good dinner"
what moro?"
With mirth-provoking gravity the elf
continued, in drawling uncertainty of
tone: 81 am thankful for my grandfather
-and-my grandmother-an my own
papa and"
The mother hastened to stop the threat
ened recapitulation of tho entire family
tree with gentle xpostulatory-"hu :"
"The child need not be ashamed" inter-
posed the grandsire, in the calm, slow tones
of age. 81 am thankful to-day for the
same good gifts, although | would disguise
my thoughts in finer phrase. l am deeply
grateful for comfort and well being, and
for the family ties that have gladdeDed my
way in this life, and which, trust, to carry
beyond the grave"
As the old man faltered, his son took up
the theme with earnest feeling and con-
tinued:
1.-THE child asks the question and the
strong man hesitates to answer. Yet the
reply should be ready, or the words of our
thanksgiving are but vain. We bend every
energy to win worldly wealth and fame,
get 1t is not for these trihcs that we dare to
give thanks. 1t is alone in the blessings
open alike to all that we rejoice and thank
the Lord for granting us health and suf-
ficiency and family and friends"
at is for these common joys that l, too,
have learned to give thanks" continued
woman at his eide in the grave accents of
experience. / am hourly grateful that the
orderly sequence of daily existence is
maintained. That the world is not being
hurried to assured destruction in centre
of heat or frozen to solidity by its with
drawal. l give thanks for the rising of the
sun and the going down Of the same, and
lldu utspltC lnC pIOutltSo piOpHtClcS anu
fanatic fears Of the rash and the foolish, the
sun and moon by assured ways marshal the
long procession of humanity toward the
final glory and rest in that haven where
we would be-"
Bending in delight over the roses lightly
clasped in her soft hands was an aged wo.
man, who now lifted to view o countenance
stamped with the child-like innocence that
comes again to grace the latest hours of q
well.spent life. There was q gentle ardor
in the trembling tones in which she added
" In your strength and youth you do we'll
to rejoice in active good achieved; but my
thanks have been rendered for the sweet
flowers that have frightened my pathway.
Laying her hand with unconscious elo-
quence upon her heart she added:
81 have given thanks, too, for the
supporting hope that when my work is
done, with one short throb, this heart will
stop its painful beatings, and let me fade
easy DEATH" Young hands grasped hers
with quick, appealing gesture, and the
aged woman, with a soft sigh, continued {:
" l had forgotten The hope that is bright
to me sheds gloom over your youth" and
laying caressing touch upon the bright
curls of the girl who nestled at her foot
stool, she said, with gentle encouragement,
"Youth should follow age"
The girl thus summoned, lifted face
in which the soft, blue eyes, dimpling
cheeks, and rosy blush, showed the type OF
sweet, endearing girlhood, grateful for guild.
ance and charming in its graceful
dependence. Tie slender frame
was lifted into sudden erectncss,
as the responsive glance assumed new
lustre, and with warm, heartfelt earnest
ness, she excla'm med : 81 too, have given
thanks ardent thanks, for my indepen-
dence, or rather for those'gifts of mind that
render me capable of ofindependence."
Self-startled, the speaker paused. Tho
impulsive revelation brought warmer flush
to her cheek, and with confused quick
ripple of laughter, she added with quick
gesture: Let sentiment now speak /"
The attention thus mischievously directed
rested upon loving couple who had with
drawn little from the circle, revealing
their story by their distracted gaze. The
silence brought her face up like a call,
and the startled girl in blushing haste i'm
pulsively replied to the mute appeal; 81
was thankful for-the future" as she turned
aside to hide her utter confusion.
Sentiment has retired appalled," burst
in the jovial tones Of a man, broad and
burly. Let the completed story end
where it began. The natural paganism o
the child gives the condensed philosophy
of experience-eat, drink, and be merry, fol
tomorrow we die"
The ruddy fire blazed upward with u re
vealing light, and reproachful glance
turned toward the discordant jester. II
the flickering CLEAN deeper hue suddenl,
overspread the jocund face, the speake
paused an instant and then, in the deep
hushed tone of unfamiliar earnestness, eX
claimed Forgive the empty words
Even have to-day given thanks, Thanks
for the clinging touch Of q baby hand, lonl
ago withdrawn to safer keeping
An infant hand has guided my footstep
along rugged ways, and its powerles
fingers have drawn me back from the verge
of ruin. 1t has left golden gate ajar
! through which narrow way, rough mar
that am, | dare to hope may one da.
join in the joys of my angel child. Let u
all join in Thanksgiving alike, for what W,
have won and what we have lost"
j. L. r.
Political Notes.