The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-11-26
Original Storp.
Thanksgiving at Deacon Merton's.
BY LULU A. DICKINSON.

So the new minister will be here to
preach our Thanksgiving sermon, will
hep" asked Mrs. Deacon Merton of
her husband. The deacon nodded.
And he'll stop with us, won't hep"
The deacon nodded again. He was
entirely engrossed in the latest news
paper, which accounted for his inatten-
ton to his wife's questions.
"Have you heerd his name?" queried
Mrs. Merton.
emo" said the deacon, some say
it's Gray, and some say it's something
else, so l can't say for sartin."
Brown-haired, blue-eyed Elizabeth
Merton, was the one treasure Of that
quiet home. Four little sleepers slept
in the cemetery, near by, telling of
blighted hopes, and mothers yearn-
ing heart. But there was one who did
not sleep in the quiet graveyard, one
whose presence should have cheered
that lonely home, and on whose strong
arm the aged father and mother should
have leaned-one who had turned from
the old homestead in bitter anger,
many years before, and had not crossed
its threshold since. Ben Merton had
not inherited his mothers gentle ways,
but rather his fathers quick, impetuous
temper. From the time he first stamped
his baby foot at having his will crossed
to the day when he stood, straight and
handsome, before his father denying
that fathers authority, Deacon Mer-
ton had said, " Ben can, and what's
more, he shall be conquered" He said,
it, too, kissing it between his set teeth,
with his face white and stern with
wrath, and Ben, turning scornfully on
his heel, had gone out into the dark
ness of that November night, leaving
his mothers heart desolate, as she put
away the untasted Thanksgiving dinner.
Fifteen long years had passed, bring
ing no tidings from the hayward boy,
and it was again the anniversary of that
sad night. The fathers heart had
softened as the years went by, and now
it was full of sad memories and vain
regrets as he waited at the station for
the "new minister" 1t was the day
before thanksgiving, clear and bright.
Instead of the minister came telegram,
announcing that he would not be able
to reach town until the morning train,
and the good deacon rode slowly home
ward with disappointed air. He had
looked forward with almost childish
pleasure to the minister's coming. 1t
would, he thought, so brighten the
somewhat dull monotony of the days.
The little church at c. was nearly
full ON Thanksgiving morning, in spite
of the danger of having the chicken-pie
Overdone, or Of having the plums all
settle to the bottom of the pudding,
whereas some ought to rise higher.
Curious eyes were fixed on the face of
the speaker, the new minister. 1t was
a pale, quiet face, with thoughtful,
earnest eyes, and firm-set lips, face
which one could not easily forget.
The sermon which followed was a
wonderful one. 1t thrilled the people
through and through with a strange,
solemn thrill. As they listened sense
of awe crept over them, and as the last
note of the speakers voice died away,
not a sound broke the stiffness.
Deacon Merton's Thanksgiving din
ner was in danger of being spoiled by
the hardness of the minister. He had
been detained at the church, and had
not yet arrived. What can have kept
him?" said the deacon. "He can't
have missed the house," said the dea-
cons wife.
Just as the early twilight came creep
ing in, a quick, firm step was heard.
A step which sounded strangely ia
miliar. The next instant the door flew
open, revealing to their astonished
gaze the young minister, with an eager
questioning look on his pale face and
new light in his eyes. Only an instant,
then, +" Mother, father, little Beth,
don't you know me? will you well
come me home again?" He did not
doubt his welcome when he felt his
mothers loving arms about his neck
and saw his fathers tears.
Forgive your old father, Ben, my
boy; he did not mean to do wrong
said Mr.. Merton in a trembling tone.
81 know it," and Ben laid his hand
caressingly on the bowed head before
him, " 1 know it, dear father, but rather
let me ask your forgiveness for my
hayward conduct"
ave have each something to for
give" said the mothers gentle voice
but Wen not talk of that now, fol
Bonnie has come, and dinner is ready
HAVE you ague in the face and is i
badly swollen? Have you severe pain
in the chest, back or side? Have you