The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-26

q dreadful load OF trouble to carry, but
wen ask Him to help US. and give III
strength
The old mans voice ceased to tremblt
as he began to read the chosen chapter.
For nearly half q century he had read
and prayed morning and EVENING" in thai
low rooted kitchen, and now with locks
bleached to silvery wilderness falling
over his brow, and hands trembling
with age and emotion, he called again
on the Lord. and for the first time, ex'
cept in secret prayer. he besOught help
in this great extremity.
| Let us glance into the homes of the
four children, whom this worthy couple
had reared and sent out to fill their
chosen places among the worlds
workers.
Ezra, the Oldest, was q minister in a
town sixteen miles from the old home.
It was to complete the payment of his
college bills that his father had Dor
rowed 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 a 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 in particular to say. She
reminded him Of his superior educa-
tional advantages directly, and of the
cost of the same indirectly, and then un-
folded her plan thus:
''Now l propose that we all 60 to
fathers Thanksgiving Day. and each of
us four carry one hundred dollars to-
ward the debt of four hundred. and a
present besides from every child and
grandchild. If you're short of means l
will lend you your part, and you can
pay me ten dollars a 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 1 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 brave as ever, and re-
piled, ut is only right, my dear; we
can and must trust the Lord to supply
our actual wants. 1 can easily give up
the new winter dress and cloak | had
planned to buy. and perhaps your over
coat ,rould 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 we'll.
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 d.
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 as 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 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 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 he knew it would all come up then
and be thoroughly aired in her straight
forward way. So his wife was told psrt
and gussed the rest. The plan caught
her hayward 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 Nashville ut about 1880 Il. 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, father!' she exclaimed.
''there's big sleigh stopped here, and
the folks are a gettin' out. Who can
they be-"
Grandpa hurried out to see, but be.
fore they had reached the door Grandms
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.
Il do wish you'd written, Eliza. ]
didn't expect anybody and we haint 60,
much of q Thanksgiving dinner can
get more vegetables ready, to be sure,
but guess one chicken will seem rather
small for eight of us, but haint time
to"
s.Never mind. mother" replied Mrs.
Ashton sweetly, knowing more than she
wanted to tell, I'VE came more to see
YOU thsn to eat a fine dinner"
A loud laugh from the children at the
window and = clapping of hands
"a load from that way; see Anna, seer
Yes, and see, one from that way too;
both got to the gate at once"'
Grandma was bewildered as they
came trooping in dressed in furs and
heavy cloaks. for all had taken a long
ride Worse and worse! tina. poor
chicken peacefully roasting in the oven
wouldn't furnish 3 mouthful apiece.
How could they be SO thOughtless!