The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-11-25
"But, mother, the letterl the letter.

their mother eagerly, as she opened the
letter and read aloud:
"NEw YoRK. Oct. /, 1881"
IVY, how long it has been coming -
said Mrs. Lane, interrupting her read
ing; then continued:
"DEAR NARY:-I shall probably see
you sooner than expected. can make
part Of the journey with friends by lsay-
ing here week earlier than my original
plan. II not detained, l shall arrive on
the 18th"
This very dayI' murmured a chorus
of voices,
Don't try to meet me. The stage
will take me from,the depot to Wayne,
and there can easily get conveyance
to your house. With love to each one,
your affectionate sister. Susan"
o, mother, We must fly around and
put things in order, and bake, aud every
thing, said Bessie excitedly.
And at the table it was decided that
MIR. Lane should go to Wayne that af-
ternoon, exchange a tub of butter for
sugar, tea and some other necessaries,
and bring AUNT Susan" back if he
found her.
There wonld be neither pies nor cake
to set before the coming sister. vision
of what she MIGHT make if she only had
the "wherewithal" rose before Mrs.
Lanes eyes; then she resolutely turned
from it and went 10 work.
"Tarts!" exclaimed Bessie, when after
the rooms we're in order she came to the
kitchen. but mother" and she
stopped.
''Ahl know what You sre thipkiug
Bessie. But there's jar of jelly hidden
away on the top shelf Of the closet. 1
kept for emergencies. You can fill the
tarts just before tea. They will make
the table look pretty.
1t was dusk when Aunt Susan came,-|
cheerful, sbeuutiiul,i VAIN hearted Aunt
till both sisters laughed and cried Lyster-
ically Then she tried to gather all the
rest in her arms, but they were too much
ior her, and there was grand confusion
of hugs and kisses, which ended in Sue
and Willie perching themselves upon her
lap, and the rest keeping guard around.
Aunt Susan at once became immensely
popular with the little ones She WAS so
lively, 30 kind, and understood every
one SO we'll. She had nice talks with
Bessie, went with Bert to feed the cattle,
romped with Amy, helped Euwin with
his lessons, told fairy stories to Willie,
and made such family of rag babies for
little Sue that the child was in an ecstasy
of delight
Bat Aunt Susan quickly discovered the
straitened circumstances of the family.
and noted the efforts made to conceal
lack of money, and the anxiety about the
future.
One afternoon she and Bessie strolled
out into the folds together They were
gone hours, and Bessie never told even
her mother what they talked about all
that time. To be sure there was sus-
picious redness about Bessie's eyes when
she returned which would have made
one think she had been crying, only she
seemed SO cheerful aud happy otherwise
that nobody ever thought of looking into
her eyes to hunt for tears.
There was great lamentation when the
short visit came 10 an end, for it was
very short. 1he good aunt had no great
supply of money herself, but as she bade
her sister good-by, she slipped something
into her hand, saying, In case any of
you are sick, Mary" and she whispered
to Bessie: keep up good courage; l
shall not forget you"
One evening the news reached the lit
tie farmhouse, of the day appointed for
Thanksgiving, In years past this an
nouncement always brought visions of
turkey, plum pudl ling, pies, and host
of good things. But now the children
seemed to think Thanksgiving would not
amount 10 much.
Cant see as WE'VE much to be thank
ful for,"s exclaimed impulsive Bert,
Jacket and trousers patched all ov,r,
fiour's gone, no turkeys. and We hav'nt a
chicken to sVsre, and Garheld's dsud
What can we do Thanksgiving"
We've got the cows" said Edwin,
grnvcly; "some people hav'nt got cows. 4"
''Aud hay for them" said Amy.
"And We have our new house." added
Edwin.
"And pussy" said little Willie, not
knowing exactly what they were talking
about, but thinking he must say some
thing,
This made them all laugh.
1--WE have each other, dear children, q"
said Mrs. Lane, who had overheard the
conversation shave You thought Of
thRtf"
And Aunt Susan, put in Bessie; I'm
sure We are thankful for her visit"
There came no more complaints, yet
the days dragged heavily along, and the
strietest economy became imperative.
Everything looked very dark, bat tue
mother did not lose her trust in God.
She believed that in some way He would
take care Of them.
One cold November evening n couple
Of days before Thanksgiving, the little
household MAS startled by tLundering
knock at the door, There was a sudden
hush among the little ones, who were
having their last frslic before going to
bed. Mr. Lane opened the door
If your names Lane, guess I've got
something for yoa, said a rough looking
man. ''Lend hand, will you?"
Aud presently, with much rolling and
timing a bip barrt was Ianded on tha