Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-12-07


"This very day!" murnered chorus
ef voices.
Don't try To- meet me. The stage
and there can easily get a conveyance
to your house. With love 70 each one,
your affectionate sister. SUSAN"
90, mother, We must fly around and
put things in order, and bake, and
verything," said Bessie, excitedly.
And at the table it was decided that
Mr.. Lane should go to Wayne that
afternoon, exchange . tub Of butter tor
sugar, tea and some other necessaries
and bring "Aunt susan" back if he
found her.
There could be neither pies nor cake
toset before the coming sister. A 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 to work
'Tart's" exclaimed Bessie, when
after the rooms were in order she came
to the kitchen. "But mother" and
she stopped.
"Ahl know what you are thinking,
Bessie. But there's a JAZZ Of Jelly hidden
away on the top shelf Of the closet. !
kept it for emergencies. You can fill
the tarts just before tea. They will make
the table look pretty"
1t was dusk when Aunt Su>an came,
cheerful, beautiful, warm-hearted
Aunt Susan. How she kissed "Sister
Mary" till both sister laughed and
cried hyslericalyl Then she tired to
gather all the rest in her arms, but they
were TO much for her, and there was q
grand confusion of hugs and kisses,
WEIGH ended in Sue and Willie perching
themselves upon her lap, and the rert
keeping guard around.
Aunt Susan at once became immense
ly popular with the little ones. She was
80 lively, 80 kind, and understood every
one so well. She had nice talks with
Bessie, went with Bert to feed the cattle
romped with Amy, helped Edwin with
his lessons, told fairy storiea to Willie,
and made such family of rag babies
for little Sue that the child was IN an
ecstasy of delight.
But Aunt Susan quickly discovered
the etraitoDed 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 fields together. They were
gone hours, and Bessie never told even
her mother what they talked about al
that time. TO be sure there Yves sus-
piciou5 redness about Bessie'a eyes
when she returned which would have
made one think she had been crying,
only she seemed so cheerful and happy
otherwise that nobody ever thought of
looking into her eyes TO hunt for tears.
There was great lamentation when
the short visit came to an end for 1t
was very short. The good aunt had no
great supply OF money herself, but as
she babe her sister good-by, she slip
ped something into her hand, saying
'ln case any Of you are SICK, Mary"
and she whispered to Bessie: keep
up good courage; | shall not forget
you" --.----------,--tE
- enc evening the news reached the
little farmhouse, of the day appointed |
for Thanksgiving. In years past this
announcement always brought visions
of turkey, plum-buddiug, pies, and a
host of good things. But now the
children seemed to think Th9nksgiv- |
ing would not amount to much,
Cant see rs we've much to be |
thankful for, exclaimed impulsive |
Bert; Jacket and trousers patched AZ |
over, llour's gone, no turkeys, and we
haven't a chicken to spare, and Gar
fields dead What can edo Thanks
giving ?"
"We'ye got the cows" said Edwin,
gravely "some people haven't COWS.
"And hay for them, said Amy.
"And we have our new house"
added Edwin.
"And pussy" said little Willie, not
knowing exactly what they were talk
ing about, but thinking he must say
something.
rhis made them all euah.
ave have each otAer" dear child
rem, said Mrs. Lane, who had over
heard the conversation; have you
thought of thatG"
"And Aunt Susan" put in Bessie;
"I'm sure we are thankful for her
visit"
There came ne more complaints,
yet the days dragged heavily along,
and the suictcst economy became i'm
perative Everything looked very
dark, but the mother did not loose her
trust in God She believed that in
some way He would take care of
them.
One cold November evening coup-
lie of days before Thanksgiving, the lit
tie household was startled by a thumb
ering knock ut the door There was a
sudden hush among the little ones,
who were having their last frolic be-
fore going 10 bed. Mr.. Laue opened
the door.
Tf your names Lane, guess I've got
something for YOU said a rough look
ing man. Lend a hand. will you ?'
And presently, with much rolling
and tipping big barrel was landed to
the kitchen floor. amid the astonished
strae of a dozen eyes.
aTt CANA h,. ayprees - ooia fba h,,r