The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-11-24
OUR THANKSGIVING.

The morning came. Il came a. other
Thanksgiving mornings had come - with
fresh, frolicking winds and sunlight, and
blue skies; with merry voices, with cloudless
faces and happy hearts.
remember just how yellow and murky
Che sunshine lay on the floors that morning,
and how thought the wind walled about
the corners Of the~house-to me It had no
frolic. The children came in from play while
was at work, all flushed and eager, and
happy, jostling and pushing each other good
naturally in the entry.
Dinner time came at last and they gathered
round the table gloefully-just u gleefully, l
thought, with half bitterness, as il they
had all been there.
"Why, what's this forl asked Harry,
stopping. "Mother, you've got one chair too
many.
~Hush, Harry-I know don't you seer
and then Lucy finished Ter sentence in .
whisper
Why had done it; hardly knew. To
hay the plates and set the chairs, and pass
chat one plate by-that place that always
was by mine-it seemed hard It was very
little thing; but you know how dear these
little things become to women sometimes.
So l had put it there-the empty chair;
and with its pitiful, appealing blankness be-
side me, l sat down to the festival meal
remember just how everything looked, as in
q picture-my husbands face, with its peace
full smile, and the children grouped around in
the old places; and fleck of yellow sunlight
that had fallen in through the warm south
window upon the table CLOTH remember
everything. know that John had just
bowed his head to ask a blessing on our food,
and the children's eyes were closed, when l
saw-I saw as distinctly as l see this paper
upon which write the words-a shadow fall
across the empty chair.
turned my head, and saw him, my dead
boy Willie. l know it was Willie. You need
not doubt me, for tell you cannot be mis-
taken. Should not l know him, l, his
motherl looked deep, deep into his eyes.
saw the old, rare smile; touched his own
bright curls upon his forehead; spoke to
him; he spoke to me-.
"Willie!"
@Motherl"
The voice was breathless, but It was his.
"Willie! Williel"
Again the old, rare smile. With one hand
hemotioned silence. His fathers voice hushed
the amen, and the children looked up and
began their chatter.
"Did you speak to me, Maryr asked my
husband.
@Non
"Why, I thought some one spoke during
the blessing"
So they did not see him. I alone was
chosen. looked into his face, smiling, smil-
ing down into mine SO tenderly-you cannot
0now how tenderly; but in his eyes saw
and thought my heart would break to soc
ia certain, sad reproachful look, that
had caught on his face once, years ago, when
4 accused him of injustice Of some trifling,
rhildish fault-a look that had haunted me
In many q still hour since. And then heard
aim say distinctly. though to not another
err was the breathless voice audible,
II want them to be happy. Iwant you "a
enjoy the day. Did you think should no,
Be with you, motherT
He was with me- thank God, and wa
happy. talked, laughed, chstted with
The children; their merrin,ent increased with
mime; my husbands pale face lighted up;
lDslt my own eyes sparkling. And all the
while, where they saw only that empty chair
7 saw the beautiful, still face and happy
mile. l saw him pleased with the old 70
miliar customs. I saw him mindful Of tn,
children's jests. I saw his eyes full Of theil
own home love, turn from one to another
and back again TO mel saw and was con
tent All that day he was beside me- HI
followed us into the sitting room and took hi
old seat by the coy fire. He listened to hi.
Gathers stories and watched the children u,
their games, and joined US when we gathered
around the piano for our twilight song.
heard his voice; the children asked wha,
made me sing so clearly.