The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-11-24
THE REASON OF IT.

parlor were gathered her children and
grandchildren. discussing it happily.
1t had been a great dinner. There
was no question as to that. Grandma
was one of those comfortable bodies
who keep up the good old customs in
the modern times. To her q Thanks
giving without, at least. a week. prep
aratiOn would have been a ridiculous
affair. and it was the general verdict
that this year she had surpassed her.
self. Such turkeys, such ducks grand
ma had never roasted! Such pun kins,
such minces, such buildings, such mar
wells in je'lies and tarts and patties she
had, surely, never made before!
II declare, do not think will want
to eat again for week. said Jem.
Such speech from Jemmy-Jemmy,
with his far-famed stomach and unques-
toned slowing powcrs-was received
with peals of laughter from old and
young.
81 don't know" chimed in Susie.
81 think I'll be ready pretty soon again.
BY tomorrow morning. any way
You don't look as though you
would" spoke mischievous Peter.
"You look as if you had turkey clear
up in your eyes and years."
Truly, she did, and the words caused
fresh peals of laughter, so merry, so
contagious it seemed as though it would
never end,
1t seemed SO certainly to the funny
looking old man who stood without on
the doorstep, rapping to get in.
Eyes and ears" he muttered. 81
will put something in their eyes and
ears if ever l do get in" And here he
gave a laundering rap! rap! which in
stantly silenced the noisy laughers aud
sent Grandma, followed by the whole
troop of children, flying to the door.
AS she opened it and beheld the
funny-looking old man there was. APP
lady in the world.
Father. Father Thanksgiving. my
dears."
So she exclaimed. turning to the
eager little folks. who were tumbling
heads and heels about her, in their
anxiety to see.
The funny-looking old man knocked
the snow from his boots and entered;
bowling and smiling in all directions
and following after the astonished chill
dren, who retreated backward into the
paTlor, with their big eyes still on him.
He was certainly a funny looking man.
A very old man, you would have said,
judging from his snow-white hair and
whiskers and his feeble, tottering
steps; but his face was fresh and fair
and wrinkleless, and his eyes bright as
ten-year boys. He wore faded suit
of regimentals, in style two centuries
old; a cooked hat; and carried a stick
almost as long as those with which they
used to tap the sleepy folks in church
in the far old times.
A funnier-looking old man the nine
teenth century has never seen. In he
went. followed by Grandma, still, APP
parently, the most astonished old lady
in the world.
'sAs sure as am alive, it is Father.
Father Thanksgiving. my dears.''
So again she spoke, turning to the
grown folks, who. too, openly amazed,
stood staring al them both. And again
the funny man bowed and smiled. in
his inexpressibly funny way.
There was a dead silence as the
mysterious Father Thanksgiving laid
aside his hat and stick and sat down
by the glowing CRATE; q silence during
which his bright eyes blinked around
upon the awe-struck children. as well
as upon the odd grown folks, who.
now, tor some strange reason, had
ranged themselves along the wall and
We're sitting with their handkerchiefs to
their lips.
~ am very glad to see you. You
are looking very well, Father; very
fresh and young" spoke Grandma,
presently.
~ am a very old man." he answered,
in a gruff. yet not unpleasant tone.
THAT is, Ma'am. counting by years,
But, you see, l only live one day in
each, and this odd world of yours
does rot get much chance to wrinkle
me. l am very glad to see You. Ma'am.
You are one of the few who keep the
good customs as they should be kept;
but"
The old man paused. Something
very like . scowl dawned on his hand
some face.
II do not wish to complain. Ma'am."
he aided. after minute; but I was .
bit disappointed Is I stood out ON the
step. I heard talking pretty
talking; but it was all OF turkeys. and
ducks. and pumpkin-pies. All perfect
~ proper, of course; but did hope to
hear word OF the great institution Of
which am the genius; of its origin, its
history, its establishment in the land.
But see, Ma'am, you are like the rest
of the world. You regard the day only
Is . stufting-day. In fact, Ma ann
and the old man gave jump that sent
the children flying back toward the
funny grown folks. in fact believe
these little creatures think Thankspiy-
ing means turkey and pumpkin-pie."
The old man was really very much
excited. He stamped on Grandma's
pretty carpet and eyed her threaten
ingly.
Grandma's face assumed very meek
expression. She crossed her hands
humbly over her knee.
i am afraid you are right Father"
she replied. II am afraid many Of the
grown folks have come almost 70 think