South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1884-12-05

be hungry again. They're li,tlo
things, sir, an don't know that they
can, eat enough az once to las, for
always
To he sure said the man with
growing interest. 'But where ale
your parents p
Both dead, sir
'Yon don't mean to tell me that
you take care of the little ones your
self?'
And why not. sir?' l :m past
eleven, and Nat Strengthened mp
proudly. making himself look fully
two inches taller.
Sure enough. You ought TO be
able to do it, my boy said tue man.
with a sudden hoarsencss in his voice
did the children tell God what they
wanted for dinner %
Yes, sir, but You sec they've never
had real Thanksgiving dinner, and
they didn't know what to ask for. |
had one once, at my grandma's in In
diana, and know all about it. That
was a long time ago, before every
body died.
well, what did the babies ask for?'
persisted the stranger.
Nat fidgeted about in confusion.
After knocking large chunk Of mud
from the side of his foot, he replied,
'They just asked God for some corn
bread an molasses an an orange
They told him they wanted 'heaps ar
heaps Ct cornbread. an whole pan
full OF molasses, but they coald make
AN orange do cause they could vide
that a.tween them
How hard will you be willing TO
work in order to buy the dinner for
them p asked the man. You must
remember tn t it takes a great dea;
OF money to buy good Thanksgiv-
ing dinner
I'LL work every minute until din
nertime Tomorrow cried Nat, his
whole face quivering with eagern ess
to begin the task.
You don't mean that you will work
all night. too 2
Just try me, err. Oh, please, sir,
do give me chance TO earn a good
dinner for them
'Hero, Davis, set this boy to work
said the man with q knowing wink
at the head clerk. Anything he
added in lower tone, taking the
clerk to one sicc. Il want to give the
boy thorough test, and il he is made
of the right stuff, as l think he is, |
will see that be has steady employ
ment. And that they all have
Thanksgiving dinner every day for
the year to come,' he added to HIM
self as be walked away.
whats 10 hinder US from doing it,
lie mused. Il need just such an active,
wide-awake boy, and Mary has always
lamented because she had no little
ones of her own. Now. if those little
ones are as bright and fine looking as
this brother. Well, well, think /
will take her on the SLY to witness
that feast to,morg ow.'
But the story is getting too long :.
so you must imagine just how hard
and faithfully little Nat worked all
that day and away into the night
for Mr.. Leonard meant to thoroughly
test the boy-how Mrs. Leonard was
induced to take a walk at just the right
time, TO witness. through the uncurtain-
ed window of the little old house, the
unpacking of a basket, prepared by
herself and her husband, aud given
into Mats hands at one O'Clock on
Thanksgiving day.
'Hrrrah, chicks ! Where are you?'
cried Nat, bursting open the door aud
swinging the basket into the middle of
the room. Heres your Tbanksgiv-
Ing dinner.
Two shivering mites crept hurried
~ out from among the blankets
Il know'd he'd send it, said Ted,
ungrammatically.
Corn bread an 'lasse5?' questioned
Tot. with wondering eyes.
Better than that cried Nat. triun.-
rbantly, lifting the lasket LID, and
setting out pie.
Oh, TedGie, just SMELL exclaimed
iot' posing her plok nose INTO the
basket. what a good, good God he is.
Yes murnOled Ted, with bis
mouth fnll Of pie
A quick sob beside Mr. Leonard
drew his attention from the little group
within, 10 his paniou,
cob, Ralph she said coaxing!y, at
just breaks my heart to see the babies.
Did you ever hear a more ferveut re-
turu OF thanks in your life than when
that wee grille said, 'What good,
good God be isf'
'Never, replied her husband feeling.
~. They are such bright little thjngs,
and so pretty continued Mrs. Leon,
ard, fthey had good care and pIeu-
ty OF love sprinkled into their lives,
they would be very interesting chill
dren.'
Very emphatically.
q would be perfectly happy If had