South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-12-07
URsULA.s THANKSGIVING


of toll at tlie district school.
The little mountain stream was all
choked with dead leaves the gourd-
she'll lay broken in pieces among the
ye;lowing ferns; and as Ursula stop
ped to gather mp u scarlet vine-leat
which still retained It's vivid glow, the
setting sun burst from bank Of sui
len clouds and seemed 20 encircle the
whole world with belt or amber
light, while n sudden gust of FROST
scented, autumnal wind swept the
leaf from her hard and sent it eddy
ing Enthusiastically down the dark wood
path.
1T is like al omen Of evil said
she Il was thirsty, and the spring is
full of leaves and the shell broken; |
wanted the bright leaf, and the wind
has blown ii away. And L don't know
how | am ever to tell grandfather
and grandmother abo:t the district
school
Then, quickening her footsteps, she
hurried down the road, never pausiE 9
until she reached an old, stee; rooted
house, ainted dull red, and halt
hidden by the giant boughs OF huge
chestnut trees.
There had Leen al old toll-gate
there once, but it had long been dis
used, and nothing remained of it but
sort OF picturesque arch over the
roadway, ali twined with wide vines.
And Grandfather Hall was carry :
ing an armrCl Of wood into the kitch-
Ell door as Ursula cane up. Grand,
mother Hall was knitting by the fire,
III her cushioned rocker.
1t was five years stree Grandmolh-
er Hall had put Der feet to the floor,
yet sho was indomitably cheerful
through it all. 1t there was brigh,
side to anything ,Grandnother Hall al
ways found it out; if not, she set her
self to imagine one.
'Ah, here you are, Ursnly = said the
old man, mourn!ully. And high
time you como. The old turkey hen
Is lost, AMI tie apple sass is scorched,
and Lewis Crawford hain't called for
them eggs, aid ii they amt sold we
shan't have penny to pat in the con-
tributlon-plate tomorrow, after the
/ thanksgiving ser ices.
Laws sakes, futhcr, said Mvs. Hall
what's the use Of rainin' evil news on
Ursula like that Don't YOU see she
looks pale and tired The turkey
hen is safe in the branches OF the seek
el pear-trec; saw her ust now
And rs for the apple-sass, | don't dis
like little scorch myself; it gives
favor. And I'm sartiu sure Lewis
Crawford'Il come along yet. Ii ain
late, you know.
And, leaning over unit! you would
have been sure she must 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
Il fashion OF reproducing 1t in every
possible style.
Granny said Ursula, with quiv.
ering lip, III better tell you at once,
Squire Deans daughter is to have the
district school next quarter. They
don't neel my services any longer,
they say. Oh, granny, granny what
is to become OF US 2
O,d Mr.. Hall sat down with a
groa~.
Il knowed there was some illlucl<
coming said he There was rab-
bit ran across tde orchard path when
went to pick up applcs-right square
across the path =
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 q,
long somehow, mover fear
'Oh, yes,' sighed Grandfather Hall,
satirically, we shall get along, even if
we have to burn up the side Of tie
house to keep us warm, and gnaw
our iinger-ends FOR food. Things is
coming to a crisis now, mother
Squire Dean was over 20 see me about
tho place to-day. It's to be sold al
auction Monday, two weeks-and
I'd like to know VIVA! is to-bccome oil
us then. Alb, it was black day
when | lent that money to Stephen
Grcgson, aud burdened the old house
with debt. | might nave known be
was scamp, or nc wouldn't have
wanted 20 so away and leave the spot
where he was born
Ursula WINGED st this. She knew
perfectly well that Il 1t had not been
for her pcrspasiuns. Grandlather II III
never would have mor:gaged his
hou Z and farm.
Six per cent seemed u golden in.
vcstment. and besidcs-bcsides Ur-
suIa lad liked STEPHEN Gregson, With
his bright blue eyes, his clear voice.
and his contagiously sanguine tenn
permanent.
When I've made my fortune. Ur-
suIa, be bad said, gaiIy, III come
back and marry you.'
Al - III -