Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-12-03

1 WVOANA " kA0O U&S0A4S - 40 uA6oO tk40
lad in his arms. he whispered: Thank
God thank God!" And now it was
midnight; he stood upon the hill over
looking his home; all was still; the in
mates of the house were looked in
slumber. Suddenly bright light
flashed from one Of the windows, and in
another moment he could see the CURL
ing flames filing ell the rooms. He
tried to shout, but his voice died in his
throat; his feet were rooted to the spot :
he could not move. With unutterable
horror he saw the fire stealing from floor
to roof; yet the sleepers did not awake.
His wife and children must he see
them perish before his eyes? With
q mighty effort he broke the spell that
bound him, uttering q CRY of agony,
and at the same instant his wife's hand
was laid upon his arm. @Johnl John |
what is the mattef?"
Nothing" he answered with deep
sigh of relief. 1T was dream. Thank
God it was only dream"
After that he slept no more. The
words he had spoken three times ech-
oed in his heart. "Thank Godl thank
God" Had he anything to be thank
full for?
Harriet" It was not the imperative
tone in which he sometimes spoke
when she oversight herself in the
morning. It was more like the voice
of one who years ago had never uttered
her name but in tones of tenderness.
She was awake in q moment.
us it time to get up?"
mo, not yet; but I have something
to say to you. I think I made mis-
take this morning, dear, We will keep
Thanksgiving as you suggested"
"Oh, John, 1 am so glad!"
The unmistakable tremor in her
voice smote him to the heart.
"Why, you foolish little woman, if
you cared so much about it why did
you not say so?"
"Because"-and now she had con-
quered the momentary emotion and
spoke lightly enough; because never
was spoiled child. I was taught to
take yes or mo- for an answer, without
teasing, and I have never lost the
habit"
II don't think you have. But now
make all your arrangements, and your
programme shall be faithfully carried
out"
If the men were surprised when they
were told there was to be no work done
on Thursday they did not say 30, and
they readily agreed to Mrs. Aiken's con-
dition that they should eat their Thanks
giving dinner and spend the evening
with her.
1t was a day to be long remembered,
for from it's dawn to it's close everything
went right. Such cloudless sky, such
glorious sunshine. The drive to the
neighboring village was delightful, for
the large double-seated wagon was
brought out and the whole household
went to church, to join in the service of
praise and thanksgiving there.
Whether it was the late hour, or pre-
vious drive, or whatever may have been
the cause, never was dinner a more
complete success, from the splendid
turkey to the mince-pies everything
was pronounced delicious. And when
evening came merry party gathered in
the parlors. There were games and
songs in which the children took part;
There were illustrated books and mag
azines to be looked over. Mr.. Aiken
read short but beautiful and touching
story; his wife played and sang unwea-
riedly, and when the happy circle at
last broke up there was pleasant sur
prise for the little woman to whom the
day had been so full of content.
Jim had worked for Mr.. Aiken for
more than year, and no one had heard
him speak an unnecessary word; he was
q faithful worker, and that was all: if he
had heart he had always kept it out of
sight. But now he came up to Mrs.
Aiken and held out his hand.
"Good night, ma'am," he said. ~and
thank you very much. This is the first
Thanksgiving I've had since came to
California, and that is ten years ago."
That is not much to the credit of
those you have worked for JIM" said
Mr.. Aiken, "and I take part of the blame
to myself; but there is one ranch in
California where Thanksgiving is al.
ways going to be kept hereafter, and
wherever you are you may count upon
your welcome if you will come and keep
it with US"
Mrs. Aiken's eyes were conspicuously
bright. We're they sparkling with I'M
shed tears2 Her husband turned to her
as they were left alone.
Dear little wife," he said, tenderly,
IF all else we're gone and you were left
to me I would have enough for Thanks
giving Day." And then the tears over
flowed, but they were tears of gladness.