The Press., 1885-12-03

who have at heart 8 purpose strong as life. As they came up the girls were almost wild with joy; but their mother dem ,nded in a steady voice, holding fast the sorrel,s bridle-rein with both hands,--as the intel slieent creature pranced, as he had been taught to do by bls young masters, and gave neigh after neigh of recognition and delight: :-
 sHow is this? You cannot have been discharged in the present great need of men, and it is not possible that you are de- serters." s
 ss .sWe came on leave to cut and haul your winters wood.
 ssAnd you take 3O0-mile walk for that r cried Molly Sanger, indignantly. ''If we cannot cut wood for ourselves, so long as God gives us health, we deserve to freeze. We have not been idle, and have a good supply on hand, you see,' and she pointed to 8 pile almost as large as the plain little brown house, ESQ there IS noth- ing for you to do but to march back again on the morrow. am saved the ride to Pomfret by your coming,
 And she proceeded to unstrap the big bundle from the billion of her saddle.
 s.We thought it would be good to pass one more Thanksgiving all together, said the husband and father, looking at his wife in a puzzled way, as if he could not recognize the spirit by which her frail slight body seemed to be possessed. And that, yon know, is tomorrow, 7 said the oldest son..
 "We supposed you would kill for us the fatted calf, laughed the second son, who had not before spoken 1; and the youngest came nearer and caressed the head of the sorrel colt, as he said ~
 'sI plighted my troth to Lucy Lilli- bridge the night beforeI went away She has no home excepting where she is at work. Were we married, whatever hap pened, you would not refuse her home with you"
 ''She would have the same right to a home with me as any of my daughters She is discreet, honest, industrious maid en, and hath kept her secret well. I will go fetch her and Parson Noble also; ;' and giving the girls instructions regarding dinner for the home corners, she galloped away. ls ~
 At night fall she returned alone. s'Par- son Noble could not leave the prayer meeting he had appointed for the evening, over to the westward, on the Willimantic river road, she explained, s.and Lucy Lil- libridge had to go to Stafford Street with rolls she had been carding. Both will be here at sunrise to speed you on your way. "
 "Not just one day over for rest, moth- CT ?'' queried the oldest girl
 ''Not one day, daughter, er,-and Lucy is of my mind. br
 All night Molly Sanger was bnsy with pots and pans in the concocting of savory messes. Each. of the four loved ones fa- vorite dish was carefully prepared, but in no other way did the patriotic woman show that her heart held one soft spot. Next morning, as the gray dawn broke over the dreary landscape, Parson Noble galloped up the Fenton river road; and almost immediately Lucy Lillibridge came galloping down from Moose Meadow.
 As they entered the house, the door of the keeping-room was thrown open. and there was Thanksgiving breakfast as temptingly prepared and as daintily served as any Thanksgiving dinner or supper would be i'll the township on that day. They gathered about the table, and the meal was eaten amid much grave and earnest talk.
 Parson Noble led ill prayer, and then Molly Sanger opened the eastern door to allow the first beams of the rising sun to shine in upon the young couple as they were united in holy Wedlock. As the four soldiers left the door to march away again at their country's call, Molly Sanger led out the sorrei colt, say ing to her husband, Take him to the off cer who granted your leave of absence, and tell him we give it in return for the daugh- ter, he has given us" @
 The colt was sent that they might ride. turn and turn about, "--Parson Noble used to say, in telling the story, -.s'but it would not have been Molly Sanger had that fact been hinted. 7 N
 When, short time later, news came to the lonely farm-house of a lively sk1rmish, Molly Sanger said :--
 Our brave fellows went none too soon. Let us be thankful that our wood-pile was not so high as to hide four brave soldiers from the enemy or our Thanksgiving din. ner so tempting as to keep them over at home for day to eat it.