Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-11-20
FREDDYS THANKSGIVING
BY EVA c. KINNEY.

Freddy's papa and mamma were very
poor. They lived in little bit of u
house, which had only three rooms in
it: the kitchen or living room, small
bedroom and pantry. Freddy's papa
ever since Freddy could remember
and his mother, brave little woman,
with bright brown eyes, and hair just q
little touched with gray, supported the
family by taking IN sewing. All day
long, and until late ut night, you could
hear the click click of her sewing ma
chine in the little room, never stopping
except to take the baby now and then,
or to give Freddy little assistance in
preparing their meals; for Freddy was
good boy, and tried to do all he could
to help his mother. He was only nine
years old, but he realized how hard it
was for mamma to sew enough to buy
food and clothing for them all, and he
often wished he could do something TO
help her.
The first of November came, and
papa's cough grew worse ana worse.
The baby, too, was sick and cross, and
Freddy's mamma began to look very
grave and sad. Once, while she was
sewing. the tears began 20 roll down
her cheeks, aud Freddy began to think
great deal
Mrs. Cameron Chat was Freddy's
mammals name) worked early and late;
but her sick husband took much of her
time, the fretful baby took more, and
her custom began gradually falling off,
so that their income grew less and less,
until they were obliged to go without
butter and meat, and many other things
which most people regard as necessities
rather than luxuries.
One day Freddy was reading the pa
per TO his mother, and he read some
thing about Thanksgiving. His man.
ma gave a sigh. rs the word brought
20 her mind the memory of past bright
days.
''Ah," sho sail, IL fear Thanksgiving
will he a sad day to us this year."
Freddy laid down the paper and
thought harder than ever. Then he got
up, TOOK his cap. and went out.
He went straight over to Farmer
Goldthorpe's. 1t was but little way,
and going across the barnyard to where
the men were digging well. he found
Mr.. GoldLhorpe there, giving some
orders to his men.
He walked right up Mr.. Goldthorpe,
AMI waiting respectfully until he finish
ed speaking, said TO him:
'Mr. Goldthorpe, can't you give me
something to do to earn some money! l
want to help my mother"
81 don't know" answered the farm
er doubtfully; "you are very little
fellow, and we don't have much to do
this time of year. you know"
"Pm willing to work real hard. I'd
do anything, Mr.. Goldthorpe," pleaded
the little fellow, his face looking very
earnest. and little culver in his voice.
Mr.. Goldthorpe cast bis eyes around
little, and then said
you couldn't pitch hay nor do fall
blowing! I've nothing else, unless il
was to wheel this dirt away, and This
would be too hard for YOU"
Freddy; could do a little at time.
Please lei me try"
"Well," said Mr.. Goldthorpe, if you
will wheel this dirt all away by Thanks
giving, I'll give you S."
Five dollars! How big it did look!
What lots Of things he would buy for
poor mammal
Freddy thanked Mr.. Goldthorpe,
took the shovel and wheelbarrow and
went to work. II was hard, very hard;
his arms aohed long before night, and
he was 50 tired he could hardly go to
sleep that night; but he was rested again
in the morning, and went to work with
more ambition than ever.
Mrs. Cameron was so busy with her
sewing, and her heart was so full OF
care that she scarcely noticed Freddy's
absence from the house, and forgot t.
ask him where he had been; so day
after day he toiled on, thinking over
and over again whata surprise it would
be to her by end by.
Sometimes he was obliged to come
home and rest an hour or two of ar
afternoon, and sometimes no would
stop to help his mother in the morning
till 1t was quite late; but every day thu
pile of dirt lessened, until, at last, jus
the day before Thanksgiving, the las
wheelbarrow load was taken away, ant
he won't to the farmer for his pay.
"You are brave boy, my son." sai'
the farmer, as he handed him the mon
ey; "now what are you going to d.
with the moneyP"