Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-21
Gales aud Skttfhts.
A TALE OF 4 PUMPKIN.
WHAT WAS WROUGHT By A WOMAN's
FAITH AND COURAGE
Continued from Yesterday

! CONTINUED from yesterday
"But you'll get strong again." said
Sara, land we've the house and the land.
But Hiram was too weak to feel any hope
or courage. He took to his bed again
and Law there still when it was time for
farmer to be busy.
! However, he did not die, and there was
another convalescence. Sara had not had
time to be ill. She dared not. What she
could do she had done. But farm needs
| its master. If thew raised enough fol-
food that year despite neighborly kindness
and Ben's vow to work forever without
wages if need be, that was all they could
do. And it was poor year. No fruit tc
SPEAK of, vegetables small and mean,ano
corn disappointment.
Moreover one of Fielding's creditors
did prove himself rascal; and although
the farmer swore to having paid this debt
there was no receipt to be found, and a
mortgage of the land was the consequence
Often the discouraged man declared that
| he wished the thief had also murdered
| him, and he meant it.
| But Sara Fielding kept her courage up,
and now that her husband was fairly on
his feet, and had even flung away cane
and crutch, would have been perfectly
happy could she have made him so.
| And thus Thanksgiving came about
again, and friends shook their heads once
more, and said, poor Mrs. Fielding would
have different Thanksgiving from what
She been used to. And many invitations
were sent to those who had entertained So
freely while they could but Hiram would
have none of them, and, to tell the truth,
little toes were out, and little dresses
were not fresh and holiday-like.
Wen keep Thanksgiving at home, "
said Sara Fielding.
Thank sgiving! -" said Hiram, sadly.
well. my girl, 1t won't be much of enc,
and can't say that fell thankful much,
either"
"And then there amt any punking."
said little Lizzie. and no turkey"
There is a pumpkin, said the mother.
triumphantly-"a good one-l've kept
watch over it. It's all right
Hiram groaned, thinking of the wagon
fuls that rolled to market the year before.
And" said the comfortable woman,
II think roast pork with apple sauce, as
good as turkey. We have got two bar
res OF apples. | shall keep Thanksgiy-
ing. wouldn't miss it Tor any consider
alton, and Hiram. you 90 TO church and
take Jack, and III get dinner for you'll
and Lizzie and Sue
And she had her way.
Madge the faithful. had gone to SER
vice elsewhere, long before. and Sara had
no help; and now, having tided the house,
she went out doors to look for eggs.
Some of the chickens had been lost in
the fire. some had since died mysteriously !:
but there were few left. But her
search was not as successful as usual.
Speckled Gray had taken to hiding her
eggs, and there must be three or four
somewhere.
At last she heard cackle, and looking
carefully. espled Speckled Gray's head
protruding from the ruins of the barn.
Beans and boards had so fallen as to
make hiding-place for Speckle, and
thilher she was vending her way. Sara
Fielding followed her. An arms length
in, she could see by crouching low. the
great white pearls that were to make her
pumpkin richer. She put in her hand and
drew them rth-tour-tive-and then
what was that lying there-that stained,
blackened thing. with. glimpses of red
leather at the edges Was it bookP Was
itP yes, it was a great soft, flat pocket
book in which Hiram Fielding had carried
his wealth about his person, in his great
confidence in his own strength and safety.
Sara drew it out, and trembling, looked
at it. 1t was warped and melted into a
wad, but somehow only on the outside.
As she tore it open she saw that within, it
was discolored and stained, but not burnt.
Their little fortune was safe; there was
hope and courage for Hiram, now.
1t is strange how much determination
will do. Sara Fielding would have faint
ed on the ground but tor the spirit with
which she fought away the weakness that
crept over her; but she did get into her
kitchen without doing it. and then she
flung herself upon her knees and wept
and prayed together, and grew strong
again.
81 smell the fire." said little Jack, hur-
rying in after meeting. Amt it good
| though pa; dinner is ready"
And Pm ready for it," said the farm
er. "How bright you all look, girls.
What is it, the one pumpkinp"
| punt u tltllt UltleTIN as ne uttered
the last words, and drew his chair to the
table. There stood the pork. the potatoes
the great golden pie, adish of apple-sauce
and another, covered.
"Will YOU give thanks, HiramP" asked
his wife.
81 suppose | ought" said Hiram
We've got house over us this year
Next. perhaps-no matter"
He bent his head and uttered a few
words of thanksgiving, thinking of al
that a disappointed man does think, ever
then.
Then be leaned back in his chair.
why, what's in the little dishP" asked
Hiram. why do you look sop
And Sara rescued across and lifted tn,
lid and Hiram knew.
Everything was safe-the coupon bonds
the money. the receipts--that of the wicke,
creditor included. In contrast with hi
state yesterday Hiram felt himself ricl
man, and he had the opportunity of start
ing fair and even with the world again a
| least.
Sara was not the only one down who's,
cheeks ran tears that day-tears of Joy
and thankfulness
"And it all comes about" Hiram saw
today. "because.my Sara kept her hear
so well was thankful to heaven for all it
mercies, and made the best she could O
our one pumpkin"