The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-11-26
save up anYthinc for a RAINY dav.n

save up anything for rainy day"
But he promised to dispose of the
poor explorer" who, with his glory
all departed, now lay helpIessly tied
by the legs, and to bring from town
the required medicine for the invalid,
and the lad was sent home laden with
a sack of meal and fine basket of ap-
piles from the farm.
The next Two days were very sad
ones to Bah. She missed her pet every
where, and was constantly haunted by
visions of Christopher, divested of his
royal plumage, and served up, brown
and smoking, to grace some Thanks
giving feast.
She picked up few little feathers IN
the yard and watered them with her
tears as she laid them carefully away
in a box that contained her treasures.
But she was somewhat consoled by
the good the tonic seemed to do her
mother, almost Immediately, and was
grateful for the extra two dollars Far
mer Pettingill slipped into her hand,
the price of poor Christopher Colum-
bus.
Thanksgiving morning dawed clear
out clear and sweet on the frosty air,
bidding the good people from far and
near come and join in the great Harry
est Home Festival.
Merry family parties dashed in large
open sleighs, and young folks in holi-
day attire trooped down the hill to the
quaint old church hidden among the
trees.
Bah Joined the throng, leaving Hans
to take care Of their mother, and crept
softly into a back seat; but her heart
was heavy and her voice was broken
when she tried to sing the Thanksgiy-
ing hymn.
Farmer Pettingill and his wife stood
on the porch as she came out, the lat
ter resplendent in new black silk,
and the farmer shook Bab's hand
heartily, saying:
''Cheer up, little one. 1t may be a
happier Thanksgiving than you think
for after all
But the girl only shook her head,
and drawing her thin shawl around
her, hurried down the path.
Good cheer, my Babble-de-Bab!"
cried Hans, as lie threw open the door
at her knock. just look theren'
And Barbara opened her eyes in glad
surprise at the feast of good things set
forth on the old pine table.
A large, plump turkey, dressed and
prepared for roasting, was fanked on
one side by vegetables of all kinds, and
on the other by two mince and pumpkin
pies, while rosy red apples, nuts and
cider all promised Thanksgiving din
ner such as had not been known in the
little house tor many a long year.
''Oh, how nigel" cried Bah.
The Pettingilis brought them on
their way to church., said Hans, land
mother Ieels so much better, she thinks
she will come to the table to-day. SO
hurry up and get dinner ready"
All was nearly really, and deli
cious, appetizlng odor perVading the
small kitchen, when suddenly the
smile vanished from Bab's face, and
with a look of horror, she turned to
Hans, who was setting the table, anu
asked earnestly:
'Hans, tell me! Do you think Farm
er Pettingill would be so cruel as to
send us back Christopher Columbus,
dead and stuffed?"
1t was dreadful thought, and took
both their appetitcs away. So Mrs.
FricG was quite distre ssed to see how
little they seemed to care for the un-
wonted good things.
NO turkey, Babn' she exclaimed.
"Why, how is that?" as the girl shook
her head and pushed aside her plate.
'It would choke me-" sobbed Bar
bara; ''for it may-it may be Chris. -
At that moment, however, a peculiar
sound without brought them all to
their feet
What's that?" cried Bah, turning
pale.
at sounds remarkably familiar !"
said Hans, as a loud gobble! gobble!
fell on their ears and made a dash for
the window, where he saw something
that caused him to dance for Joy. as he
shouted: "Oa, Bah! Bah! as sure as
you're alive, here is old Christopher
Columbus, as big and saucy as ever,
begging to come ill.,"
Need | say that he had not to beg
long, but in another instant was in the
middle Of the room, with the whole
family laughing and crying over him in
" pCiASSL INoleSf Va w iIliS hS
rubbed his head against their checks,
and seemed equally as pleased to be at
home once more.
Round the turkeys neck was tied q
note, addressed to Miss Barbara Frick,
which she read aloud:
Dear Bab-P! ease accept this Thanksgiving
turkey in place OF the bread and milk l failed
to give you last summer, and | ask your par
don for all | may have said on that day; but
l was awful mad ut the loss of the brood.
Yours respectfully.
NANCY PETTINGlLL.
That is just like her," laughed Mrs.
Frick, rough and impulsive, but kind
hearted under it all "
Il am SO sorry l ever called her a
cross Old thing said Bah; '.for, oh.
Chris! this pays for everything, and
you are the very best Thanksgiving
gift | could have had"
So the dinner was success after all,
and Mrs. Frick had now no reason to
complain of her children's appettes,
while Christopher Columbus behaved
like a cannibal, picking the bones OF
his unfortunate fellow turkey with the
greatest zest, and Thanksgiving JOY
and cheer reigned in the little cottage
under the hill.-Agaes Carr Sage.