The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-11-18

says the poor woman Is really destitute.
though she never complains. She s
good grit, you see, and what VIC do will
have to be done in such way that the
donors can't be tracked"
'I'll give barrel Of flour and this
ten-dollar bill," said one, passing his
money to Billy.
In moment every pocket-book was
out and the hand that was stretched out
for the first bill was filled to over
flowing. making up q goodly sum Of
money.
.sCome on, Frank said Walter Sims.
I'VE will 60 to fathers store and load
up few things, take in Johns barrel
Of -four. and Il any body thinks of any
thing to add to our load, why all right.
We will see you In couple of hour s"
Not one Of the whole set had ever
known the "luxury of want" but the
young fellow who had been so moved
by the pale-faced widow. Since his
tenth year he had cared for and sup
ported his widowed mother and always
managed to keep pace with the richer
|
unusual, he had been their firm friend
and companion in all his leisure hours,
and in fact leader amongst them.
In two hours the load was prepared
and you should have seen it! There
was the barrel Of flour, apples, sweet
and Irish potatoes, sugar, coffee, tea,
hams. canned fruit and boxes with
spices and raisins, crooks of eggs, but
ter. lard, and then, lashed to the top,
were chickens and q monstrous fat
turkey.
The boys assembled to inspect the
load and, after exerting considerable
satisfaction, it was decided that these
things should be placed just before
morning in the widows yard, and that
a watch should be kept over them until
daylight. Black Nan had been let into
the secret, and she volunteered to go
and spend the night with her old mis-
| tress, as she was sometimes in the habit
of doing. Then the money, which was
still 800, was to be sent next day by q
| trusted messenger.
Soon after dark the faithful colored
woman raped and was admitted at the
cottage. She greeted Mrs. st. Clair
with: "Bein' as twas the night afo'
Thanksgivin', tho't you'd be kinder
lonely like, honey, an so I fotched my
blanket to stay all night. rs toted the
least bit of supper for you, too"
you re so kind to me Mamie; the
only friend I've got now." said Mrs. St.
Clair, and the tears gathered in the eyes
that looked as though the fountain
from whence they sprung was bitter in
| ho ol, ot-
tention to this remark, but, placing a
chair at the table, said: Snow, honey,
JUS set right down here and eat this
bit afo' it's stone cold" The mistress
did as requested, and Mamie hustled
about the room dusting book here and
there and keeping up great display OF
work, when in fact there was nothing
to do. She frightened the fire, moved
Mrs. st. Clair's rocker where she would
feel the glowing warmth, went into the
next room and brought out several or
naments, which she disposed of in such
a way as to add very materially to the
cheerful appearance of the room.
1t occurred to Nan that the boys
might make some noise in removing
the various articles from the wagon.
So with the idea of getting her mistress
to think that the disturbance could be
easily explained if she heard it, Nan
said: "'Pears to me its dreadful late
in the year to low COWS to browse out
| as Mr.. Jones do. Isaw free or fou' in
the Darby road as come long"
"Perhaps the gate is left open so that
they can seek shelter If necessary, Mrs.
ST. Clair replied.
Nan managed to peer into good
many places, and when she laid down
on her blanket she whispered softly to
herself, "Dem boys amt comm none
too soon, dat's shur." She chuckled to
herself at the thought of the morning
and soon fell fast asleep.
The first thing she knew something
whacked against the door. She hoped
Mrs. st. Clair had not wakened, but she
did and called softly Mamie"
"Yes, missus; heard it. Dem pesky
cows must be on rampage, but dey
can't do no hurt, nohow, so don't you
be- skeered." There was little more
noise, but the explanation seemed salts
factory and nothing more was said.
Nan was astir early, but she managed
not to 60 near the door. After Mrs. st.
Clair had risen and dressed she stepped
to the door and opened it.
"Come here, Mamie, quick!" she
cried. 1.-THE door is blockaded. What
can it meanp"
"Why, Missus St. Clair, what do you
mean?" and she hustled in the very
picture of surprise. ''Law me, Miss
Nora, how you scared me. I'm all out
of breff. II that's what you call block
aiding, wish some un d do dat same
at our house, sure 'nuff!' and she pro-
ceeded to take down boxes and pack
ages that were piled to the very top of
| the door.
Mrs. st. Clair turned pale, sat down
and wept softly. without word. Nam
ME worked with right good will to re-
move the articles to proper places She
talked necessarily. There" she said.
'.some folks say dat the Lord specially
members the widders and faderless
chiluns Thanksgivin' time, and this
pears to look like it. Thar, you fat
turkey, you'll make fine dinner. I'll
put reglar old Virginia stuffin' in ye-
dat / willard then them cranberries
makes good sass. too. For goodness
sakes, what's dis 'tached to de door
latchp Now, honey, you read dis and
see what it says. F."
What she spoke of was large en-
velope fastened to the knob, upon which
was written: ''Mrs. St. Clair. q Thanks
giving present from the boys" and
when it was opened 500 in banknotes