The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-11-28
RUBY'S PRAYER.
And the "AngeT by Whom It
Was Answered.

The street lamps had just been lighted,
and one sent soft rays into the room where
little Ruby Owen had tossed on her bed all
day. She was recovering from one of the
diseases that belong to childhood The
day had been wearisome, both for her and
her mother, who had nursed the two older
children through the same disease, and was
almost worn out. But when Ruby, in
sick, fretful tone, said: "Tell me about
Thanksgiving at grandfather's, please"
she began in as brisk a way as if she were
not tired out and as if this were not the
five hundredth time she had told the same
thing.
"Well, Thanksgiving morning we chill
drea used to get up bright ard early and
dress ourselves by candlelight to go to
grandfather's. We put on our best clothes.
NJ Ny dress was bright red, with little black
stars in it. 1t was very pretty. 1t had
muslin ruffle in the neck that mother
crimped, and that was pretty, too By the
time we were dressed mother would have
breakfast ready. We chartered and laughed
more than we ate, we were so happy. My
brother John always got up first and fed
the horses, and harneSsed them to the box
SlelSu. lGl8nb al GHT uTeahldSG ne uSeu TO
whirl up to the gate with great flourish,
and shout All aboard" Then we would
hurry on our shawls and hoods and
mittens, and scramble into the sleigh.
There was straw in the bottom, and we all
Cuddled down on it, and had plenty of
blankets to keep us warm. Then father
cracked the whip, and away we all went :
My! how fast, flying up and down the
white hills. 1t was ten miles, but it didn't
take long to go. When we got there the
house was full of aunts and uncles and
cousins, girls and boys and babies. Every
body talked and laughed at once, and was
happy as could be. By and by dinner was
ready. A great big long table, with every
thing good"
"Tell about the turkey" put in Ruby.
SAT grandfather's place was always a
big platter, with great long turkey, all
nice and brown, with good stuliing. Then
we used to watch grandfather, and see him
cut the nice white slices and put some on
each plate, with mashed potatoes and
turnips and all the other good things. We
children always kept sharp lookout for
the wishbone."
'Tell bout the cranberries."
go, yes; every one of us would have q
dish of stewed cranberries. o, how good
they we're"
81 know" moaned Ruby; 81 tasted 'em
at Mary Slater's last winter. They are
red and pretty and sour and sweet and
cool. o, dear, l wish l had some, and
some turkey. Will we ever have g turkey
for our Thanksgiving"
"Some day, | guess" the mother an
swered, with great misgiving at her
heart, as she thought of the Doctors bills
she would have to meet.
"And cranberries:" said Ruby, eagerly
"Shouldn't wOnder;" and then the poor
mother sighed, and fell to wondering il
she couldn't spare enough to buy some
cranberries for Thanksgiving, which was
just at hand. Then she leaned back her
tired head and fell into doze, and was
awakened by Ruby's saying:
Mother, mean to ask God to send us q
turkey. He can, can't Hep"
What a child you arep' her mother
said, rather perplexed as to whether sucl
specific petitions would be orthodox.
"'Tisn't wicked to ask Him, is itE'
"No, s'pose not"
"Well, mean to do it," Ruby said, de.
Cisively.
There was listener to part of this con
versation, though nobody was aware of i
but himself. A young postman, going hi!
rounds, had brought a letter TO the Owens
They did get letters sometimes, though they
were poor, and a newspaper every week
Mrs. Owen would not have afforded thu
latter luxury herself, but benevolent ole
gentleman had for years subscribed for 6
religious weekly for several families of hi.
acquaintance, and this was one of them
There was postage due on the letter, anC
Sarah Owen hunted through all the drawer!
and boxes for three cents, and finally wen
TO Mrs. Jay, who lived upstairs, and she
had to ransack drawers and pockets before
any pennies could be found.
If Stephen Perry had been as enlight.
ened in regard TO their poverty as shat few
minutes waiting had made him, he would
have paid the extra postage himself, ant
said nothing about it, From where he
stood he could hear what was said in thu
small bedroom, and could dimly see Ruby
lying crosswise of the bed. He knew thu
bright-eyed little girl. She Away
opened the door snilingly to him, and sale
'"rhank you" when he brought letter
r. the generous fellow had followed hi
impulses, he would have gone straight int