Morris tribune., 1882-11-16
THAT BLESSED BARREL.
A SUGGESTION FOR THANKSGIVING.

1ioAA luS looe VI luS 1puSii, uupstlLtSt,
stairway.
Yes, mother am just coming" re-
piled cheerful voice from the room
above.
Now Bessie was usually up betimes to
help get breakfast, and to dress the ba-
by. But when girl of thirteen walks
five miles carrying pretty big basket of
eggs in one day, she naturally feels like
sleeping an extra half-hour the next
morning.
"What is it, mother, dear?" asked
Bessie, as she fastened into the kitchen
on coming down stairs. Anything the
matter?" For her mother was standing
by the pantry door with pan full OF
flour in her hands, and perplexed eX-
preston on her face.
when did Aunt Susan say she should
be here" asked Mrs. Lane looking ut
Bessie, but still making no movement
towards the kitchen table, where the
breadtray and kneading-board stood
for use.
Bessie wondered what in the world
her mother could be thinking about.
''Do you mean in the letter that came
Saturday night" she asked. l think
aunty said she hoped to see us about the
Goth of October"
And now it is-Bessie, what day of
the month is it,"
The 9th, mother, am sure, because
Farmer Ray'--
"Then we must have corn bread for
breakfast, not biscuit" And Mrs. Lane
turned quickly into the pantry, emptied
her flour back in the half-fl!ed bucket,
and presently brought out some yellow
corn meal.
Bessie Lane was more mature than
most girls Of thirteen. Her home sur
roundings had made her thoughtful be-
yond her Years. She was but q baby
when her parents settled on the rough
land in Western Kansas, and now there
were five children younger; wild, mis-
chlet-loving Bert. gentle Amy, Edwin, 4
sober little man of seven, Willie only
tour, and Baby Sue, the pet of the fam
lily.
Many Kansas farmers were in sore
trouble, Bessie 5 father among the num-
Der. The terrible drought of the sum-
mer had cut OTtmOSt of his crops. There
was little harvesting to be done. The
grass, which shriyeled up in midsum-
mer, left little food for cattle. Provi-
slons We're exorbitantly high, and money
scarce.
Mr.. Lane lost all courage, and gloomi-
~ brOUUed over impending struggles.
In vain his wife, thrusting back her own
fears, strOye to cheer him. He could see
no hope in the future.
Bessie and her mother sat late bv the
kitchen fire that night, after the rest of
the family were in bed, consulting to-
gether.
Il want everything pleasant for Su-
SAN said Mrs. Lane, when at length
she had told Bessie they must both 90
to bed. she hasn't been here for eight
years, and l don't want her to find us
unhappy"
NO, indeed" said Bessie. 'Isn't it
good that we have got into our new
house? | am so glad father began to
build 1t last year. To be sure it is not all
finished, but it is clean and comfort
able"
And if we can only make your father
feel more hopeful, we shall all be hap
pier" said Mrs. Lane.
I'VE will try, mother" said Bessie.
What was it about the -four this morn
ing" she added after little pause.
I'VE have only little flour. You
know father has but few bushels of
wheat, and don't know when he will
get that ground. We must have -four
when Susan is here, so we must be spar
ing now"
Had anybody peeped into Bessie's
room long after midnight. they would
have seen by the moonlight avery wide
awake girl. Bessie was thinking how
she could earn money!
Here's letter for you. Mary" said
Mr.. Lane several days afterwards. as he
came to dinner. Farmer Ray brought
1t when he came to see about Brin-
de"
But he isn't going to take her now"
shouted Bert; hes going to send load
OF hay, and pa and | are going to work
for him Saturday"
There was general shout of delight.
for 1t had come to be known among the
children that the COW must be sole for
lack of hay
THAT is good news indeed" said Mrs.
Lane, as she dropped into a chair as ifto
realize it more fully. els it really so.
john? turning TO her husband.
Yes, really SO. Mr.. Ray is very
kind"
But, mother, the letter. the letter!
exclaimed Amy
Now letters were rare visitors in that
western home, and the children. quite
torgettul OF dinner, crowded around their
mother eagerly, as she opened the letter
and read aloud:
'NEw YORK. October l. 1881"
Why, how long it has been coming. I"
said Mrs. Lane, interrupting her reading
then continued:
DEAR MARY.-I shall probably see you
sooner than l expected. can make part of
the journey with friends by leaving here a
week earlier than Ely original plan. If not
detained, l shall arrive on the 18th, -
This very day." murmured chorus of
voices.
Don't try to meet me- The stage will
take me from the depot to Wayne, and
there L can easily get conveyance to your
house. With love to each one.
Your atfectionate sister, SUSAN"
80 mother! we must fly around and
put things in order, and bake, and
everything!" said Bessie excitedly.
And at the table it was decided that
Mr. Lane should go to Wayne that after
noon, exchange a tub of butter for sugar,
tea, and some other necessaries, and
bring Aunt Susan" back if he found
her.