South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1884-12-05
TED AND TOTS THANKS
GIVING DINNER.

had reached the street corner. Thrust
ing both hands deep into his pants
pockets. he stood quite still for SIEVE.
raj minutes. whistling Yankee boo
de But the vim and energy with
which he usually whistled that nation
al all was utterly wanting, and there
was a mourniul cadence to the boys
WHISTLE which correspondent exactly
with the perplexed pucker between
his dark eyebrows ard the solemn ex-
preston in his brown eyes.
'It must be done somehow he said
decidedly, leaving Yankee Doodle
but half whistied. in order 10 use his
lips for the purpose of speaking
They must have a THANKSGIVING din
ner. But how am | ever to get even
so much as an apple for them with
the little bit that | can earn I can't
tell but it shall be done in some way
He resumed his walk down the
street and the national tune at the
same time. a weil-built, sturdy lit
tie fellow of eleven years with clear,
truthful eyes and n frank, honest face,
which would have been sufficient SUI
rety for lis good behavior anywhere.
Never mind said he, bravely, at
ter reaching the business part OF the
city. If Gods agoing to answer Ted
ana Tots prayer, rs they think he will,
he'll make way for ne 10 help him
to do it, cause Pm the onl y one there
is to help him now.
There was n pititnl qaiver in Mats
voice as he said this. He seemed to
hear, once more, the dolei'ul sound of
the dirt falling on the cheap pine box
which held the remains OF 'as darling
a mother rs ever boy had. That is
what he would have said, and what he
often did say, in order to keep his
courage from utterly failing when he
thought of those two little ones at
home, dependent upon his eXertions
for their daily breId.
Since their mothers death, more
than q week before, Nat had supplied
their wants by doing odd Jobs and err.
rands. They had needed no fire as
ser, because these little children lived
in II southern city, away in Texas, and
the few cold-breathed 'northers' which
had already come had been met by
Nat in this way: He had wrapped
the two worn blankets they possessed
about the little ones, telling them to
keep snug in their warm nest until
the sun had warmed the outdoors,
and then to run out in il. AS for HIM
self, he depended on his activity to
keep the blood we'll circulating, and
in this way battled with the cold.
Bu, they could scarcely live in this
manner all winter. 1t is q great re-
sponsibility for anyone TO be burden
ed with family at the beginning OF
winter, and especially so for boy of
eleven years. But the coming winter
did not trouble Nat on the morning
of which we speak. Sufficient for
the day Is the evil thereof, and Mats
mind was wholly concerned about Il
Thanksgiving dinner for Tot and Ted.
Hold my horse u minute, bub,' call
ed rough voice, as 'cow boy with
a broad-rlnmed hat and big topped
boots, sprang to the ground and flung
/ tie bride to Nat.
IIo was gone several minutes, and
Nat began 20 get uneasy. 1t was such
precious time TO him just then, be-
cause Tomorrow would be Thanks
giving and he ought to be earning
that dinner Presently. however
the man returned aud, as he sprang
into his saddle, he flung Nat two
Bit piece, in place of the nickel the
boy expected.
Cowboys are mostly generous
said Nat gleernIly, as he pocketed the
shining silver piece. q couldn't "a
done better at anything for the little
time 1t took reckon God is a-help-
ing me to get that Thanksgiving din
ner for the chicks at home
Stept ing into large grocery store,
Nat looked about for tie proprietor
Seeing line-dressed gentleman in
conversation with one of tie clerks,
Nat decided that he was the owner Of
the establishment. He waited pa
tionny until the gentleman turned a
way and then addressed him:
please, sir lifting his rimless bat
respectfaIly. do you want a boy to-
day III ike big job, sir, one hat
would make money enough to buy
'boss' Thanksgiving dinner
EN- The gentleman turned and
looked at Nat closely Something in
the eager young face attracted his at
tentiou.
Il SUPPOSE you want turkey, cram
berry sauce, plum-pudding aud all p
he asked, with grave couutenance,
but a sly twinkle in his eyes.
Yes, sir, just enough for two. An
/ I'd like two oranges to top off with
'What. after topping off once with
plum.pudding ?
well, don't s'pose they d mind
topping off twice, just for once, see
ing "a they don't get much Of anything