The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-12-20

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ID Deacoa Hohinnonsm
And that Aleegn00n there WIS much
stir u Glenvills Little 6roaps ecustansly
meeting and consulting il every store,
and on every corneE. While the DAY
seemed 10 close In dark and cheerless IN
the parsons little cottage. !.
A fresh snow fell that night and served
to make noiselees the eleds which drove
softly up TO the ministers cottage with
| the very first faint streak of dawn. The
inmates Of the little dwelling were all
sleeping soundly, bat one awake and lis
tening might have heard mufied foot
steps, whispers aud cautions showing and
pushing of heavy articles. These, how
ever, soon ceased, and al was quiet until
the day broke clearly and the villagers
arose.
The weary parson and bis true-hearted
little wife had lain awake late the night
before, for heavy hearts make sleepless
eyes, and they slept a little later than
usual this morning.
But at last they were all up and dressed.
The simple breakfast, consisting of coffee,
warm biscuit and butter, was nearly
ready when Willie and Laura took mo-
ton to run to the front door and see how
deep the snow was on the front porch.
Through the little parlor they trotted,
| Willie first, and Laura following, to the
front door, which, with some little trouble,
they pulled open.
And the next minute the cottage rang
with their hearty shouts.
"Pa! Pa! Mamma! Mamma! do come
here! Come quick Run here to the
porch, quick, both of you
Greatly surprised, and slightly fright
ened, not knowing what had happened to
the children, the good parson and his
wife rushed to the front door, upsetting
the cat and the coffee-pot in their haste to
reach it.
What a sight met their eyes No
wonder the children shouted The snow
had been carefully swept from the front
array of various articles Right before
the door stood a barrel of -four, on top of
the barrel were laid two juicy hams, and
astride the hams sat great, fat turkey,
all dressed ready for cooking, at which
Willie and Laura set up great shout.
An open barrel beyond was running
over with plump, red apples, and second
barrel full of big, comfortable-looking po-
tatoes, and row of crisp cabbage-heads
kept guard all around the barrel. Then
there was box packed with sugar, coffee,
tea and rice, q sack of dried peaches.
and several cans of fruit. And another
box, when opened, displayed two new
pairs of shoes, just the right size for Will
lie and Laura; sundry rolls of flannel,
muslin and calico, warm stockings and
mittens, and several small articles, not
forgetting well-filled basket of nuts and
candies, which proved that somebody
knew what children love, and which set
Laura and Willie to dancing like little
Indians.
In the bottom of the box was thick,
warm gray shawl, with Mrs. Rowe's name
pinned on it. And when the shawl was
unfolded, there dropped out an envelope
directed to Parson Rowe, inside of which
they found the amount of the delinquent
salary in good, new greenbacks, and a
card upon which was written:
"Will our pastor accept the little surprise gift
which accompanies his salary, with the love of
grateful people ?" 4
vi, WnaC pteaSanC, PHEASANT sur
prise ! F" cried Willie and Laura together.
"What wonderful mercy, rather !"
said the mother I" John, didn't tell you
the Lord would help US
eyes, Mary!" answered the pastor.
:" Let us thank Him for the mercies of this
morning"
And in the little parlor they all rever
emily knelt, and never a more fervent
thanksgiving went up than assembled from
the little circle in the parsons cottage
that happy winter morning.