The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-12-01
URSULA'S THANKSGIVING.

Thanksgiving Eve, and Ursula Hall
was coming home from her daily task of
toll at the district school.
The little mountain stream was all
choked with dead leaves; the gourd-shell
lay broken in pieces among the yellow
ing ferns; and as Ursula stopped to
gather up scarlet yine-leaf which still
retained its vivid glow, the setting sun
burst from bank of sullen clouds and
seemed 10 encircle the whole world with
a belt Of amber light, while a sudden
gust of frost-scented, autumnal wind
swept the leaf from her hand and sent it
eddying Enthusiastically down tho dark
wooh-path.
Ursula sighed.
'It is like an 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 il
away. Aud 1 don't know how am ever
to tell grandfather and grandmother
about the district school,"
Then quick, ming her footsteps, she
hurried 6oyn the road, never pausine
until she reached an old, steep-roofed
use, painted a dull red, and half hid
den by the giant boughs of huge chest
nut trees.
There had been an old toll gate ther;
once, but had long been disused. ant
nothing remained of it but sort of pic
turesqne arch over the roadway, al
twined with wild vines.
And Grandfather Hall was carrying al
armsul OF wood into the kitchen door al
Ursula came up. Grandmother Hal
was knitting by the fire, in her cush
ioned rocker,
It was FIVE years since Grandmothei
Hall had put her feet to the floor, ye
she was indomitably cheerful through i
all. If there was bright side to any
thing, Grandmother Hall always founC
it out; if not, she set herself to work t,
imagine one.
"Ah, here you are, Ursuly!' said tn
old man, nournfully. "And high tim
you come. The old turkey-ten is lost
and the apple sass is scorched, and Levi
Crawford bain't cOllrd for them eggs, ant
if they amt sold we shan't have a penn.
to put in the contribution plate to-mor
row, after the Thanksgiving services"
Laws sakes, father" said Mrs. Hall
whats the use of rainin' evil news Of
Ursula like that? Don't you see she lock
pale aud tired? The turkey hen is safe il
the branches of the setkel pear-tree;
saw her just now. Aud as for the apple
sass, l don't dislike little scorch my
self; it gives favor. And I'm sartin sur
Lewis Crawfordll come along yet.
ain't late, you know"
And, leaning over until you woul
have been sure she must lose her balsnc
Grandmother Hall opened the oven-doc
to see how the jDhnuy-cakes were gettin
on. For corn-meal was cheap, and IL
old lady had fashion of reproducing
in every possible style.
Granny" said Ursula, with quiyel
ing lip, ia better tell you at ono,
Squire Deans daughter is to have til
district school next quarter. Tney don
need my services any longer, they sn,
Oh, granny, granny! what is to becOm
of us2'
Old Mr.. Hall sat down with a groan.
Il knowed there was some ill luc
coming" said he. There was rabb
ran across the orchard path when wer
10 pick up apples-r ght square acroI
,; the path!'
Father, DON'T" faid the old lad!
swallowing some sort Of lump in ht
throat. That's clear superstition
Don't fret, Ursuly. We shall set alon
somehow, never fear
"Ob. yes," tighed Grandfather Ha
satirically, 1--WE shall get along, even
! we have to burn mp the side of the houi
to keep us warm, and gnAw cur hnge
ends for food. Things is coming to
crisis nov, mother. Squire Dean WI
over to see me about the place to-ds,
I It's to be sold at auction-Monday, tw
, weeks-and I'd like to know what is
become of us then. All, it was blaC
/ day when l lent that money to Stephe
Gregson, and burdened the old houi
with debt. might have known he WI
7 scamp. or be wouldn't have wanted
60 away and leave the spot where he WI
! born"
. Ursula WINGED at this. She knew pc
fectlY we'll that if it had not been f
. her persuaaons, Grandfather Hall new,
: would have mortgaged his house an
| farm.
Six per cent. seemed golden inyes
: meut; aud besides besides, Ursula ha
I liked Stephen Gregson, with his brigh
blue eyes, his clear voice and his col
. tigiously sansuine temperament.
when I've made my torture. Ursula
he had said. gaily, "IIl come back an
marry ycn."