The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-11-27

growing interest. "But where are your
parentsp"
Both dead, sir"
"You don't mean to tell me that
you take care of the little ones your
selfPn
"And why not, sir? I am past
eleven" and Nat Strengthened up
proudly, making himself look fully
two inches taller.
Sure enough. You ought to be
able to do it, my boy" said the man,
with a sudden hoarseness in his voice.
"Did the children tell God what they
wanted for dinner?"
Eyes, sir, but you see they've never
had real Thanksgiving dinner, and
they didn't know what to ask for.
had one once, at my grandma's, in In
diana, and | know all about it. That
was long time ago, before every body
died. "
"Well, what did the babies ask for?"
persisted the stranger. -
They just asked God for some com
bread an molasses an an orange.
They told Him they wanted heaps an
heaps of corn-bread, an whole pan
full of molasses, but they could make
one orange do, cause they could vide
that a-tween them
"How hard will you be willing to
work in order to buy the dinner for
them?" asked the man. "GOu must
remember that it takes great deal of
money to buy a good Thanksgiving
dinner"
"Tll work every minute until dim
ner-time tomorrow cried Nat, his
whole face quivering with eagerneSs to
begin the task.
You don't mean that you will work
all night, too"
Just try me, sir. Oh, please, sir,
do give me q chance to earn good
dinner for them
Here, Davis, set this boy to work, "
said the man, with q knowing wink at
the head clerk. "Any thing he adj
ded in lower tone, taking the clerk
to one side. Il want to give the boy
a thorough test, and if he is made of
the right stuff, as | think he is, ] will
see that he has steady employment;
and that they all have Thanksgiving
dinner every day for the year to come
he added to himself, as he walked
away.
whats to hinder us from doing
it," he unused. ~ need just such an
active, wide-awake boy, and Mary has
always lamented because she had no
little ones of her own. Now if those
It,in
looking as this brother. Well, well, l
think will take her on the sly to wit"
ness that feast tomorrow.
But the story is getting too long; so
you must imagine just how hard and
faithfully little Nat worked ali that
day and away into the night-for Mr..
Leonard meant to thoroughly test the
boy-how Mrs. Leonard was induced
to take q walk at just the right time,
to witness, through the uncurtained
window of the little old house, the I'M
packing of basket, prepared by her
self and her husband, and given into
Mats hands at one o clock on Thanks
giving Day.
"Hurrah, chicks! Where are youF"
cried Nat, bursting open the door, and
swinging the basket into the middle of
the room. Here's your Thanksgiving
| dinner"
Two shivering mites crept hurriedly
out from among the blankets.
81 knowed he'd send it., said Ted,
ungrammatically
Corn bread an 'lasses?' questioned
Tot, with wondering eyes.
Better than that" cried Nat, tri-
umphantly, lifting the basket lid, and
setting out pie.
"Oh, Teddie, Just smell, exclaimed
Tot, poking her pink nose into the
basket. "What good, good God He
ISL
Yes" mumbled Ted, with his mouth
full of pie.
A quick sob beside Mr.. Leonard drew
his attention from the little group
within, to his companion.
"Oh, Ralph" she said, coaXingly,
''it just breaks my heart to see the
babies. Did you ever hear a more
fervent return of thanks in your life
than when that wee grille said; What
a good, good God He is":'
Never" replied her husband, feel
ingly. "They are such bright little
things, and so pretty" continued Mrs.
Leonard. "If they had good care, and
plenty of love sprinkled into their
lives, they would be very interesting
children"
Very" emphatically.
''IwOuld be perfectly happy if l had
a little boy and girl like them, and tits
a shame to have them neglected so.
Ralph?"
"Well, Mary?"
Can't you guess what would like
best of any thing in the world, this
Thanksgiving Day?"
81 brought you here for the very
purpose of interesting you into making
that request, Mary" he said, gently.
"God has blessed us abundantly IN
worldly things, but has denied us chill.
dren. Here are two homeless little
ones who are without parents. Our
duty is plain enough to Inc. Shall WI
do it?"
Eyes, oh, yes. long to cuddle then