River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-11-18
A REAL THANKSGIVING.

IL was Thanksgiving eve, clear and
cold. The streets were crowded with
people hurrying along intent on doing
their holiday shopping.
The single market which the little
town afforded, looked as though it had
made ample provision for all the pos
sible wants of the towns-people. Fat
turkeys hung in long rows, with ducks,
geese. and chickens beside them; veg
etables and fruit We're piled up in
tempting array, and the smiling pro-
prietor was doing llourishing business.
As the school children came to the
market on their way home from school
they stopped with noisy buzz of adj
mration to look at pig that was in
a window, garianded with wreaths and
a lemon in his mouth. keeping guard
over heap of golden oranges.
Come, come, children, | can't have
you standing here. The people can't
get in or out. Here, take these aud be
off with you. And the good-natured
marketman tossed a double handful of
nuts into the midst of tbs children. and
laughed at the scramble which ensued
until his double chin fairly quiyered
with merriment.
The children shouted with delight as
they snatched at the nuts, and in few
minutes they were all gathered up, and
the merry troop went on their way
again.
We'll, Tim, didn't you get any?"
asked the man, as he saw that one of
the Youngest of the children, a pale,
thinly clad little fellow, had been uu-
successful in the scramble. aud was
walking slowly away with an air of
disappointment.
mo. sir. answered Tim, thrusting
his cold, blue hands into his pockets for
warmth.
Mr.. King looked at him compass
ionately for moment. He was kind
hearted man and had little son about
Tim age, a rosy. comfortably clad boy.
who had never known the want of
anything that was necessary TO his
comfort and happiness.
Perhaps it was the thought his
little Willie that made him regard Tim
more kindly.
Come here, and I'll make up TO You
for not getting a nut. How would on
like this?" ana he put u big yellow
orange into Tins outstretched hands.
"Oh, thank your exclaimed the
boy. his face growing bright with
delight.
"Have you got your Thanksgiving
turkey yetP" asked Mr. King
No, sir. / guess we amt going TO
have none. They cost too much."
said Tim, looking wistfuIly at the
plump birds.
IN tell you where your turkey is, )"
said Mr.. King.
"Where?" asked Tim, eagerly.
''ln the liquor store down at the
corner. Your Thanksgiving dinner,
warm clothes for you and your mother
and a good many other things besides
are in that place. You can tell your
father | said so, if you like, and he
knows it's true"
I'll 60 and tell him right away, and
perhaps be will 20 and get them now"
exclaimed Tim, and he started off on
run home, clasping his orange with
both hands.
Il am afraid that orange is all the
Thanksgiving the poor chap is likely
to get" thought Mr.. King To himself,
a, he looked after the child; then turn
ed back to his customers again.
Tim burst into the rickety. tumble
down building he called home with
a face radiant with delight. "Oh,
mother!' he exclaimed, rushing over
to the corner where a thin, pale-faced
woman lay on pile of straw covered
with an old blanket.
where's father?' he asked, eager
ly.
The mother made a gesture of silence
and pointed to a figure lying on the
single bed which the place afforded.
The heavy breathing showed that the
man was wrapped in drunken slumber.
"Oh, | must wake him., exclaimed
the boy.
mo, no. you mustn't disturb him,
cried the mother, laying OBTAINING
hand on the boys arm.
''Why do you want to wake him,
Tim?' she asked in surprise, for gen
VI any the 10Y StOOu III suCu lcdi VI MS
fathers anger that he would hesitate
to enter the house till his father was
either asleep or away.
Il want him to 60 and get our
Thanksgiving dinner" answered Tim.
'Air. King told me where it was, and
I'm sure father wouldn be cross if |
asked him to go and get it. There's
a coat for me and clothes for you and
lots of other things in the same place
too. added the boy, gleefully.
"Where, Tim?" asked the mother,
what the child was think
ing about.
I'm the liquor store; Mr.. King told
me so. You needn't shake your head
hother, for its true. Mr.. King told me
to tell father so, and he said he would
know it was true
1t was so evident that the boy had |
Ii orally believed Mr.. Kings word |
and thought that the Thanksgiving |
dinner depended only on the fathers
to 60 and get it, that the |
mother found it hard to undeceive |
him and destroy MS happiness.
Tim she said gently, stroking the