The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-11-10
A THANKSGIVING DINNER.

evening, as we were sitting on the lawn
before the door. is it because lie is
kind of watchdog, and keeps trouble
some people away?'
No child, no; do not wish to keep
most people away, not we'll behaved
people, nor to distress nor annoy any
one. The act is, there is story about
that gander that do not like to speak
of TO every one-something that makes
me feel tender toward him; SO tha5 If he
needs a whipping, l would rather do it.
He knows something that no one else
knows. You have heard me speak of
Nathaniel, my Oldest boy ?''
Yes
That is his picture in my room, you
know. | loved Nathaniel-you cannot
think how much loved Nathaniel. 1t
was on my account that he went away.
THE farm did not produce enough
for us all. One year-that was ten years
ago-we were sued for our taxes.
=. " Nathaniel, said J. 4 will take
boardcrs.
Then he looked up at me and said
Ooh, how noble and handsome he ap-
peared to me y:
Mother, will go to sea-
" Where p asked l, in surprise.
= In a coaster
on and John can manage the
place he continued. 'Une of the YES
5 is sails next week-Uncle Aaron's; he
offers to take me-
1T seemed best, and he made prepare
lions to go.
THE spring before, Skipper Ben
you have met Skipper Ben-had given
me some goose eggs; he had brought
them from Canada, and said that they
We're wild goosc-eggs.
4 set them under hens. In four
weeks had three goslines, and one of
those gosings is that gander.
"Skipper Ben came over to sec me,
the day before Nathaniel was to sail.
Aaron came with him.
II said to Aaron"
"'What can l give to Nathaniel to
carry to sea with him to make him think
of home? Cake, preserves, apples? |
haven't got much; have done all l can
for him, poor boy.
Brother looked at me curiously, and
said:
Give him one of those wild geese,
and we will fatten it on shipboard and
will have it for our Thanksgiving din
ner.'
What brother Aaron said pleased ME.
The young gander was noble bird, the
handsOmest of the lot; and had resolved
to keep the geese to kill for my own use
aud give him to Nathaniel.
1.-THE next morning-it was late in
Saptember-I took leave of Nathaniel
| tried to be calm and cheerful and hope
full. watched him as he went down
tie walk with the gander struggling
under his arms. \ stranger would have
laughed: but did not feel like laughing;
although the boys who. went coasting
were usually gone but few months and
came home hardy and happy.
Il saw him go over the hill. On the
top he stopped and held up the gander.
He disappeared; yes, my own Nathaniel
disappeared. | think of him now as one
who disappeared.
November came-it was terrible
month on the coast that year. Storm
followed storm; the sea-faring people
talked constantly Of wrecks and losses.
| could not sleep Oh the nights of these
high winds. | used to lie awake think
ing over all the happy hours had lived
with Fathaniel.
Thanks wing week came.
lit was full of an Indian-summer
brightness after the long storms. The
nights were frosty, bright and calm.
Il could not sleep on the calm nights.
zone morning, l thought l heard
strange sound in the woodland pasture.
1t was like wild goose. listened; it
was repeated. | was lying in bed. |
started up thought had been dream
ing.
''On the night before Thanksgiving
went to bed early, being very tired. The
moon was full; the air was calm and
still. | was thinking Of Nathaaiel, and
| wondered if he would indeed have the
gander for his Thanksgiving dinner: if it
would be cooked as well as | would have
cooked it, and if he would think of me
that day.
Il was Just going to sleep when sud
denly heard Il sound that made me
start up and hold my breath.
'ITonk y
4 nervous shock.
" 'Honk honk y
''There it was again, in the yard. |
was surely awake and in my senses.
Il heard The geese cackle.
d" 'lIonz honll honk =
81 got out of bed and lifted the cur
tain. 1t was almost as light as day.
Instead of two geese there were three.
Had one Of the neighbors' geese stolen
away?
Il should have though so, and should
not have felt disturbed, but for the rea-
son that MOI of the neighbors' geese
had that peculiar call-that horn-like |
tone that | had noticed in mine.
81 went out OF the door.
"The third goose looked like the very
gander had given Nathaniel. Could it
be
Il did not sleep. rose early and went
to the Grub for some corn.