Connecticut western news., 1882-11-15
VOL. XII.

| children that the COW must be sold for
 lack of hay.
 "That is good news indeed, said Mrs. Lane, as she dropped into chair as if to realize it more fully. els it really so,
 John ?" turning to her husband
 "Yes, really so. MT. Ray is very
 kind"
 "But, mother, the letter the letter r
 exclaimed Amy.
 Now letters were rare visitors in that Western home, and the children, quite forgetful of dinner, crowded around their mother eagerly, as she opened the letter and read aloud:
 "NEw YORK, Octo 1, 1881. "
 "Why, how long it has been coming, D said Mrs. Lane, interrupting her read ing; then continued:
 "DEAR MARY:-I shall probably see
 you sooner than expected. I can make
 part of the journey with friends by leav-
 ing here week earlier than my original
 plan. If not detained, shall arrive on
 the 18th -"
 "This very day p murmured a chorus
 of voices.
 "Dont 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 atfectionate sister, SUSAN"
 70, mother, we must fly around and
 put things in order, and bake, and every
 thing" said Bessie, excitedly.
 And at the table it was decided that MT. Lane should go to Wayne that afternoon, exchange tub of butter for sugar, tea and some other necessaries, and bring
 "Aunt Susan back if he found her.
 There could be neither pies nor cake to set 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.
 "Tarts P exclaimed Bessie, when after the rooms were in order she came. to the kitchen. "But mother - and she stopped. "Ah I know what you are thinking, ! Bessie. But there's jar of jelly hidden
 away on the top shelf of the closet. I kept for emergencies. You can fill the
 tarts just before tea. They will make the table look pretty
 It was dusk when Aunt Susan came,- cheerful, beautiful, warm-hearted Aunt
 Susan How she kissed "Sister Mary , till both sisters laughed and cried hyster- icallyl Then she tried to gather all the rest in her arms, but they were too much for her, and there was a 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, so 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 stories to Willie, and made such a family of rag babies for little Sue that the child was in an ecstasy oi delight
 But 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 fields together They were 3 gone hours, and Bessie never told even l her mother what they talked about al , that time. To be sure there was suspicious redness about Bessie's eyes
 when she returned which would have n made one think she had been crying only she seemed so cheerful and happ, l otherwise that nobody ever thought O y looking into her eyes to hunt for tears. 1 There was great lamentation when tn, 6 short visit came to all end, for 1t wa ; very short. The good aunt had no grea ; supply of money herself, but as she bad y her sister good-by, she slipped something into her hand, saying, In case any o
 you are sick, Mary" and she whispered to Bessie: Keep up good courage; l. shall not forget you.
 T One evening the news reached the littl S farmhouse, of the day appointed fo > Thanksgiving. In years past this an It nouncement always brought visions c Is turkey, plum-pudding, pies, and hos y of good things. But now the childre
 seemed to think Thanksgiving would nc y amount to much.
 Ill ''Can't see as ,0e'Ue much to be thank I'll ful for," exclaimed impullsive Ber 7e jacket and trousers patched all ovel
 Hours gone, no turkeys, and we have't le chicken to spare, and Garfeld's dead of What can ,Oe do Thanksgiving lg "We've got the cows," said Edwil
 gravely; "some people haven't cows" or ''And hay for them," said Amy. tn ''And we have our new house," adde d. Edwin.
 S. "And pussy" said little Willie, n' :" knowing exactly what they were talkir 1t about, but thinking he must say som wv thing.
 to This made them all laugh. all ''We have each other, dear children |. said Mrs. Lane, who had overheard u CT conversation; "have you thought of that P And Aunt Susan, "p put in Bessie; 'I'
 sure we are thankful for her visit. ie There came no more complaints, y n- the days dragged heavily along, and u
 strictest economy became imperativ ou Everything looked very dark, but t of mother did not lose her trust ill Go i'll She believed that in some way He wou