Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-11-27

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college bills that his father had bor-
rowcd money, and he always intended
to help pay It up, but his small salary
was just sufficient to "bring the year
round"
Two weeks before the homely little
incidents Just related took place, the
minister received long letter from his
oldest sister, Hannah, which set him to
thinking.
She had the true New England gift
of going straight to the point when she
had anything jr particular to say. She
reminded him If his superior cduca-
tional advanta, ,es directly, and of the
cost of the same indirectly, and then un-
folded her plan thus:
"NoW | propose that we all go to
fathers Thanksgiving Day, and each of
w four carry one hundred dollars to-
ward the debt OF foar hundred, and
present besides from every child and
grandchild. If you're short Of means /
will lend you your part, and you can
pay me ten dollars month until paid,
and no one but us two need to know
anything about it. I've written to Abe
and he consents, and Lydia will put in
one hundred, though | expect it will
cost her some pinching to do it, as you
you know her husband is rather close
with money"
The minister thought long and sadly
of the winters needs, and finally called
his sweet, patient little wife into the study
and told her all about it. She looked
sorrowful but tstavc as ever, and re-
piled, "1t is only right, my dear; we
can and must trust the Lord to supply
our actual wants. can easily give up
the new winter dress and cloak l had
planned to buy, and perhaps your over
coat Wouid last another winter"
"How many times have you given up
that self-same dress and cloak?" he
asked smiling sadly.
"Only three she replied, 'but never
mind that. We've two weeks to get
ready, and we II bend all our energies
to do our part handsomely and well.
Dear Grandpa, how happy he will be-"
So an answer was speedily sent to
Mrs Ayres, who lived twelve miles from
her early home, but in an opposite di-
rection. She was very busy, but found
time to drop them hasty note to
make no preparations for the table.
Lydia and will attend to all that--liv-
ing on farms rs we do it will be nothing
for us, and I've written the same to Abe.
Just see that you're there with wife and
children, and we'll see to the rest"
Abram, the second son, lived in the
city hundred miles away. He had
married a fashionable wife and had four
children, His wife had never met her
husbands relatives but few times, and
some way he hated to tell her about the
mortgage and 'sister Hannah's" plan.
His first thought was to send a hundred
dollars, but stay away from the festival.
However, he thought better of it, espe-
cially when he remembered that Mrs.
Ayres was coming soon to visit them,
and be thoroughly aired in her straight
and gussed the rest. The plan caught
her wayward fancy at once.
"a grand surprise on Grandpa and
Grandma Ashton!' she exclaimed show
delightful! and the children shall carry
lovely presents"
The train from the city reached the
village of Rushville at about 1880 a. M,
and in another hour double sleigh from
the livery stable, with scarlet lined
robes, and drawn by horses proud of
their jingling bells, drew up at the old,
leaning gate at Grandpa Ashton's.
Grandma heard the bells and was
looking out of the window. She had
just put the one chicken nicely stuffed
in the oven to roast, and potatoes, cab
bage and squash were on the table
dressed for cooking.
"Why, fatherH' she exclaimed,
"there's big sleigh stopped here, and
the folks are gettin' out. Who can
they bep"
Grandpa hurried out to see, but be-
fore they had reached the door Grandma
recognized her son. After the first sal
utations were over, and the two older
children, almost young ladies, critically
examined through spectacles to see
whom they favored" poor Grandma
could conceal her anxiety no longer.
II do wish you'd written, Eliza. l
didn't expect anybody and we haint got
much of Thanksgiving dinner. can
get more vegetables ready, to be sure,
but guess one chicken will seem rather
small for eight of us, but l haint time
to"
"Never mind, mother" replied Mrs.
Ashton sweetly, knowing more than she
wanted to tell, 1--WE came more to see
YOU than to eat a fine dinner"
A loud laugh from the children at the
window and II clapping of hands
"a load from that way; see Anna, see!"
Yes and see, one from that way too;
both got to the gate at once!"
Grandma was bewildered as they
heavy cloaks, for all had taken long
| ,-,I In &l,,%
chicken peacefully roasting in the oven
wouldn't furnish mouthful apiece.
How could they be SO thoughtless!
thought poor Grandma.
"lt's a SURPRISE" shouted little Mabel
Ayres. a rogue of ten summers, "and
surprisers always bring baskets, and
we've got four packed full Of"
There child!" calculated Grandma,
dropping into her chair with sigh of
relief, that's the most comfortin' thing
I've heard to-day. was afraid you'd
most sta"ve. DO, father, see If the
other room amt gittin' warm; we shall
swarm here in minnit'"
Mrs. Ayres, an energetic, stirring,
handsome matron of forty, took the
helm of affairs iu hand at once.
go right into the parlor, mother,
and don't give another thought to the
dinner What isn't here already will be
when Liddy gets here. 1 expect them
here every moment"
shall not describe that dinner, and
hope nobody will be disappointed
thereby, only must say that it is doubt
ful if such roast turkeys, or chicken
pies or plum puddings were seen on
many tables that day. A half hour in
good hot oven made them forget their
late journey, and they tickled the palates
of the ten elders and twelve youngsters
in the most approved fashion.
After the older people had eaten their
dinner and returned to the little parlor,
Mrs. Ayres tarried to superintend that
of the children.
"Now," said she briskly to her two
blooming daughters of fourteen and
as., Loo 1t To-, I.a Il,