Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-11-18
Milly Lovejoy wept rs she never wept
before. Tears are prayers dear soul,
and Christ wipes them all away"

Obed, their adopted son, laughing soft
ly to see the apple seeds that she had
named and dropped upon the stove
snap apart or toward each other, as
their fate was to be, and glancing occa.
sionally at 0bed's figuring, that ho was
puzzling over.
81 can't understand, Obed, why you
are so slow about learning to cipher and
quick at everything else. Itsall care
to study" said Nancy, kindly.
al don't understand it either,n re-
joined Obed, good
"My ciphering with apple-seeds to
learn fates is slow, too" said Nancy,
laughing. "Now, am going to name
this one Samantha Milkins," said Nancy,
dropping plump seed upon the stove.
and this one Obed Loveioy. This is my
fourth trial. There, You've snapped
clear off the stove! HuIrah There goes
Samantha after you. What deter
mined, persevering little piece she is.
have to take her, the farm and the old
folks. Won't you be grand in that big
house and driving that fine span!
Heigho! you're in luck, Obed, if any
body ever was"
"Nancy Lovejoy, you know better!"
replied Obed, strengthening up and try
ing to look indignant.
"If there is any truth in apple-seeds
swapping, you can't help yourself; and
I've heard of several fortunes proving
true, told that way" said Nancy, with
mock gravity, at the same time watch
ing the effect of her railery upon Obed.
Obed pretended not to hear, and said,
frankly:
"It is several months, Nancy, since
asked you that question, and every
time that have referred to it you have
evaded answering it, If l did not be-
lieve that you do care for me. in spite
OF your words, never would mention
the subject again"
az never have denied regard for
you; but | must be sure that it is Just
right before decide. But the several
evidences that l have had that it is
right for us to care for each other fail
to satisfy; but am sure they will oc-
cur.
al doubt if they ever do" replied
Obed, gloomily. "Haven't you had
evidences that it was right for you to
care for Harlow Brggs?'
"Never!" retorted Nancy, sharply.
You would make q good choice. if
you did encourage Harlow. He is rich,
educated and talented. There is moth
ing Objectionable about him." said
Obed, eyeing Nancy critically.
at isn't necessary to plead any ones
cause with me, Obed Lovejoy. You
are talking to retaliate for my words
about Samantha" retorted Nancy,
quickly.
There! mother is crying about that
Washburn affair again. Strange how
people will stand out" said Obed, evil
DENLY trying to change the subject.
..Well, if Reuel Washburn takes din
ner here Thanksgiving, l will answer
your question finally" laughed Nancy.
"Such thing is possible, but highly
improbable" replied Ubed, coolly.
"rll ask the question that old Glenn
Bates asked the other night, when
Ansel Blake said that all the proof
that he wanted of the new minister's
fitness for Hartwell was to preach such
sermon that Reuel Washburn and
father would shake hands right in the
church-it would soften their hearts so;
and Glen asked How can you think of
such an unlikely thing, after old Parson
Leighton tried for two years to make
them see the hurt that they were doing
the cause of Christ, and then resigned,
l believe, because he failedp Then
that smooth, Howery Mr.. Walpole
tried three; now this well-recommended
sends the arrow of conviction into their
hearts so deep that they do shake
hands in church I'll sign an obligation
to attend church every SUNDAY, sick
ness excepted, for five years. just the
time I've stayed from church. so
will !. Yes, so will L. echoed all
around the post-otlice. So you see
what good things would come about if
these things would take place." said
Obed, calmly.
II cannot imagine that they will;
but God knows" said Nancy, bidding
Obed goodnight.
Things are never quite complete in
this world; and it is well that they are
not, else we should forget our weak
ness. Though Milly Lovejoy's pantry
was fragrant with pies, cake, bread
and fruit, and the oven steaming with
turkey, chickens and pudding, and the
outside world on this anniversary would
regale in all that makes perfect day.
Dear Aunt Milly was sorely tried
Hadn't she prayed, wept and pleaded
all these years that not another Thanks
giving might be marred with this quar-
rel?
Aunt Milly opened the door to a
gentle knock that had interrupted her
meditations, and met Tommy Goblet
crying.
"Come in, Tommy; come in and tell
me what troubles you," said Aunt
Milly, putting her arm lovingly around
him.
"Oh, ho! tit was me that killed
your turkey" sobbed Tommy.
"Was it, dear? am sorry, and I'm
sure you are. You won't be so careless
againp'
81 want careless. l thought I'd
see how near could skip stone and
not hit 'em; but that one lodged, and
it killed him in a minute. Pm awful
sorry, and I'll never skip stones ut live
things again. Mother said she wouldn't
cook the turkey till came over and
'fessed, for the Lord wouldn't-er-er
'cept my thanks if didn't.
"Your mother is right, DEAR" said
Aunt Milly, filling Tommy's pockets
anu hthdo Wiph SahOo.
"rm glad I've 'fessed. Now you'll
love me same's ever; won't youP"
~ certainly will, dear"
Uncle Nathan had entered so quietly
that he had not interrupted the little
scene, and he had heard enough to con-
clude that Aunt Milly's turkey had GER
tainly made one little heart lighter.
That his own heart was touched we can
only hope and believe.
Laws bless us!' said Aunt Cisely
Daggett. "There never was such
day in Hartwell as that first Thanksgiv-
ing Day that Luther Wheaton preached.
There'd been just as fine days, just as
good roads, and Luther d preached here
three months; but laws bless us! the
meetin'- house was jest runnin' over
with hearers. Ishall never forget when
the new minister got up. The pulpit
shined like gold, IN he shined more'n
the pulpit. Miss Skies said it was my
notion; but l tell you it warn't. 1t did
shine, m when he read the Harvest