The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-11-24
forgetful of dinner, crowded around
their mother eagerly. as she opened the
letter and read aloud:

forgetful of dinner, crowded around
their mother eagerly. as she opened the
letter and read aloud:
"NEw YORK, October /. 1885,"
"Why, how long it has been coming"
said Mrs. Lane. interrupting her read
ing; then continued:
'DyAR MARY.-I shall probably see you
the Journey with friends by leaving here q
week earlier than my original plan. II not de-
tanned, shall arrive on the I:,th,"-
This very day.! murmured chorus
of voices.
Don't try to meet me. The stage will take
me from he depot TO Wayne, and there can
easily get conveyance to your house. With
owe Ia each one,
Your afrcctionate sister. SUSAN"
go mother! We must fly around and
put things in order, and everythingr'
said Bessie, excitedly.
And at the table it was decided that
Dir. Lane should 60 to Wayne that af-
ternoon, exchange tub of butter for
sugar, tea, and some other necessaries.
and bring ..Aunt Susan back il 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 "whcrewithar" rose before Mrs.
Lanes eyes; then she resOlutely turned
from il and went to work.
..Tartsr' exclaimed Bessie, when
after the rooms were in order she came
to the kitchen. But, mother"-ands 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 it 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. beautiful, warm-hearted
Aunt Susan! How she kissed "Sister
Mary till both sisters laughed and
cried Historically! Then she tried to
gather all the rest in her arms, but they
were too much for her. and there was
grand confusion of hugs and kisses,
which ended in Sue and Willie perch
ing themselves upon her lap, and the
rest keeping guard around.
Aunt Susan at once became immense
ly 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 cat
tie, romped with Amy, helped Edwin
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.
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
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 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 it
was very short. The good aunt had no
great supply Of money herself, but as
she babe her sister good-by, she slipped
something into her hand, saying, lin
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
little farmhouse of the day appointed
for Thanksgiving. In years past this
announcement always brought visions
of turkey, plum-pudding, pies, and
host of good things. But now the child
rem seemed to think Thanksgiving
would not amount to much.
Cant see De've much to be thankful
for" exclaimed impulsive Bert; Jacket
and trousers patched all over. hour's
gone, no turkeys, and we haven't a
chicken to spare, and-Garfields dead!
What can Ue do Thanksgiving day"'
"We've got the cows" said Edwin,
gravely; "some people haven't cows"
And hay for them," said Amy.
"Ard we have our new house," adj
ded Edwin.
.And pussy" said little Willie, not
knowing exactly what they were talk
ing about, but thinking he must say
something.
This made them all laugh.
1--WE have each other, dear children"
said Mrs. Lane, who had overheard the
conversation; '.have you thought Of
thatg"
And Aunt SUSAN" put in Bessie;
| 'rm sure we are thankful for her visit"
There came no more complaints, yet
the days dragged heavily along, and the
strictest economy became imperative.
Everything looked very dark. but the
mother did not lose her trust in God.
She believed that in some way He would
take care of them.
One cold November evening couple
of days before Thanksgiving. the little
household was startled by a laundering
knock at the door. There was sudden
hush among the little ones, who were
having their last frolic before going to
bed. Mr.. Lane opened the door.
"If your names Lane, guess I've got
something for you," said rough-look-
ing man. LEND hand, will your
And presently, with much rolling and
tipping, big barrel was landed on the
kitchen floor, amid the astonished stares
Of dozen eyes.
cit came by express" said the burly
teamster, ..but may be you'd had to
wait for it while. only for Farmer
Ray,-Tm 'twork at Farmer Rays"
And warding off the hearty thanks that
followed by repeating. Farmer Ray
sent it along; I'm 'twork for Farmer
Ray" he departed.
Bert gave wild shout. All the child
rem crowded around the barrel.
"Who sent it?'
whats in itp'
"Where's the hammer"
"Oh! do open it."
But the confusion of tongues ceased
rs Mr.. Lane brought hammer and
Ratchet, and they watched with breath
less interest the unloading of the bar
rel.
.Ohr' "Ahr .Let me seeP' burst
forth as the contents began to appear.
flush, childrenr' said Mr.. Lane;
"here's a letter for mother. Be quiet
while she reads it. Here, Mary"
But the letter was only this:
81 Thanksgiving remembrance from
Susan and Ellen"
"There! I knew it was from Aunt
Susan" exclaimed Bessie.
"Aunt Ellen's rich, isn't she, moth
erP'' asked Amy.
"Oh, do let's unpack it." said Bert,
eagerly. "May help, fatherp"
| What wonderful barrel that was. 1t
seemed to the children as il one Of the
stories of the Arabian Nights" had
come true. As the packages were un-
rolled one after another, the contents
were greeted with shouts Of delight All
Thanksgiving had begun already!
There was soft wooden cloth for
dresses, an overcoat for father, warm
flannel under-garments, jackets and
trousers.-not all new-ones, but good