The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-28
4 SOLDIERS 1HANKSGITY NC.
BY JENNIE PORTER ARNOLD.

A clear, frosty evening in November, 1864 with the bitter north wipd soughing through the leafless branches of the ma ple trees in front of the Widow Gray $ substantial farm house. But inside, in the cosy, plain, but neatly furnished it. tine-room everything was warm, bright and cheerful.
 hwas pleasant little family group bere assembled, but it entirely lacked one essential element, there were no mas culine members of the circle. It consisted only of the Widow Gray, a matronly- looking woman of torty- five, with kindly gleam in her dark blue eyes and here and there silver thread in her chestnut brown hair; Mildred, her eighteen-year. old daughter-the prettiest girl in Oak land, so the village beaux styled her and Allie, the frolicsome, winning little six yeai-old pet of the family.
 Just at this moment the latter was fully absorbed in the arduous task of rocking her kitten to sleep, but kitty did not ap prove of the process, and, watching her opportunity, sprang from her little mis- toned chintz- covered lounge.
 "l don't believe kitty knows one bit about Thanksgivin'," she said, going over to her mother and leaning disconsolately upon her lap. was just goin' to tell her bout it and she lunned away. We always have turkey, an chicken pie, an loafcake, and lots of goodies, don't we, mamma ?" and she began to brighten at the vision she had conjured up of what Thanksgiving had always been in the old farmhouse.
 Mrs. Gray nodded smilingly as she went on counting the stitches in the wool CD sock she was knitting for her absent soldier boy.
 And it'll come next weekl Oh I'm so glad" the restless little prattler said eagerly. Millie looked up from her sew ing with a long-drawn breath, which sounded strangely like sigh, as she said {:
 "Some way, mother, wish it was not Thanksgiving. don't feel as if had anything to be thankful f.r."
 "Why, Mildred P
 Her mothers reproachful tone brought the bright tears to Mildred's eyes.
 "l know ought not to say so," she said penitently, "but it does seem like mockery for us 10 be feasting and mak- ing merry here while John is away, sui fering from privation and exposure to danger and death"
 And Hal, too," broke in Allie, "he's there too with John, and that's the reason Millle don't want any Thanksgivin', ain t it, mamma p
 Millie's cheek crimsoned at her artless reasoning, and the mother smiled as she answered:
 "Very probable, Alliel We should all enjoy Thanksgiving better if our soldier boys could only be with us"
 "Well, then, mamma. you go an' 6x all your goodies an they'll come i-now you sec if they don't" Allie aid earnestly.
 Hopeful little prattler ]" Millie said with emotion, as she stopped to kiss the eager, upturned face. "lf only had your faith"
 A quick knock at the door interrupted her.
 As Mrs. Gray opened it the uncertain light revealed tall, stalwart man in sol dier's uniform.
 "I have travelled some distance, mad am," he said. politely, though in a gruf voice, and finding no ho el in this vi- cinity, called to see if you would accom- modate me with lodgings for the night ?"
 Mrs. Gray ta.ed-it was not always prudent to entertain strangers thus; but one glance at his uniform decided her Her kind motherly heart r.belled at the thought of sending 9 soldier from her door. Her boy some day might need such hospitality so the old farn-house door was swung wide open with hearty welcome
 Millie rose quickly as he entered, and was about to set a chair for him near the fire, shen it suddenly fell from her hand, as the stranger stepped into the light and removed his hat.
 Vita a quick glad cry of:
 "Oh, John, John her arms were around her brothers geek, and she vas given a hug and kiss which almost de- prived her of her breath
 Between laughing and crying, Mrs Gray and Allie came in for an ca ial share of the welcome, aAd there were confused exclamations of delight and inquiries all mingled in inexincable confusion.
 Such joyous home coming afser two years of dangers and priva.ion It was many minutes before the excitement calmed down sufficiently to admit of ra- tional conversation.
 "I was al~ays good at teasing, you knov, mother" Jonn said in answer to her query of how he obtained leave of absence, "and besi1es guess they thought I'd besn { pretty good boy, 30 they'd let mo come home to see my moihsr just for Thanksgiving. And there vas another boy who wanted to come pretty bad too." he said with a sly glance at Aillie, which sent a richer color to her cheek. ~You needn't blush 90, he's . prime good fsllow, Miliie. even if you did pick him ost without my help He niea his bsst to gse fsriough vhsa l did, hut ho hasnf bo0 thwo q yoax Vi, you