Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-11-29
URSULA'S THANKSGIVING G.

Thanksgiving Eve, and Ursula Hal
was coming home from her daily tasl
of toll at the district school.
The little mountain stream was al
choked with dead leaves; the gourdshel
lay broken in pieces among the yellow
ing ferns; and as Ursula stopped to gath
er up scarlet vine-leaf which still re
tained its vivid glow, the setting SUI
burst from bank of sullen clouds, ant
seemed to encircle the whole world will
belt of amber light, while a sudden gust o.
frost-scented, autumnal wind swept the
leaf from her hand and sent it eddyine
fantastically down the dark wood-path
Ursula sighed.
at is like an omen of evil" said she
81 was thirsty, and the sprisg is full OF
leaves and the shell broken; l wanted
the bright leaf, and the wind has blown
it away. And don't know how l am
ever to tell grandfather and grandrhoth-
er about the district school,"
Then, Quickening her footsteps she
hurried down the road, never pausing
until she reached an old, steep-roofed
house, painted dull red, and half hid
den by the giant boughs of huge chest
nut trees.
There had been an old toll-gate there
once, but it had long been disused, and
nothing remained of it but a sort of
picturesque arch over the roadway, all
twined with wild vines.
And Grandfather Hall was carrying
an armful of wood into the kitchen door
as Ursula came up. Grandmother Hall
was knitting by the fire, in her cushion
ed rocker.
1t was five years since Grandmother
Hall had put her feet to the floor, yet
she was indomitably cheerful through it
all. If there was bright side to any
thing, Grandmother Hall always found
it out if not, she set herself to work to
imagine one.
"Ah, here you are, Ursulyp said the
old man, mournfully. And high time
you come. The old turkey hen is lost,
and Lewis Crawford hain't called for
them eggs, and if they amt sold we
shau't have a penny to put in the con-
tribution box tomorrow, after the
Thanksgiving services.
Laws sakes, father" said Mrs. Hall,
whats the use of rainin' evil news on
Ursula like that? Don't you see she
looks pale and tired2 The turkey hen
is safe in the branches of the seckle pear
tree; L saw her just now. And as for
the apple sass, don't dislike a little
scOrch myself; it gives flavor. And I'm
sartin sure Lewis Crawford'll come
along yet. 1t amt late, you know"
And, leaning over until you would
have been sure she 10 ust lose her balance,
Grandmother Hall opened the oven
door to see how the johnny-cakes were
getting on. For corn meal was cheap,
and the old lady had fashion of repro
ducing it in every possible style.
Granny" said Ursula, with quiv-
cring lip, I'D better tell you at unce,
Squire Deans daughter is to have the
district school next quarter They don't
need my services any lenger, they say.
Oh, granny, granny! what is to become
of usl''
Old Mr.. Hall sat a wn with groan.
"1 knowed there was some i'll luck
coming" said be. "There was a rabbit
ran across the orchard path when
went to pick up apples-right square
across tie pathr'
Father, DON'T" said the old lady,
swallowing some sort of lump in her
throat. That's clear superstition.
Don't fret, Ursuly. We shall get along
somehow, never fear"
"Oh, yes" sighed Grandfather Hall,
satirically, I'VE shall get along,even if we
have to burn up the side of the house
to keep US warm, and gnaw our finger
ends for food. Things is coming to a
crisis now, mother. Squire Dean was
over to see me about the place to-day.
Its to be sold at auction-Monday, two
weeks-and I'd like to know what is to
become of US then. Ab, it was black
day when l lent that money to Stephen
Gregson, and buIdened the old house
house with debt. L might have known
he was scamp, or he wouldn't have
wanted to go away and leave the spot
where he was born.
Ursula WINGED at this. She knew per-
fectly we'll that if it had not been for
her persuasions, Grandfather Hall never
would have mortgaged his house and
farm.
Six per cent. seemed golden invest
ment; and besides-besides, Ursula had
liked stephen Gregson, with his bright,
blue eyes, his clear voice, and his con-
tagieusly sanguine temperament.
"When I've made my fortune. Ursu
Ia" he had said, gaily, "l'll come back
and marry you"
Don't talk nonsense, Stephen" she
had said, with laugh.
But it had not seemed like nonsense
IN the secret depths of her heart.