The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-11-27
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT.
"wAAT A GOOD GOD HE ISL"

How Nat Earned n Thanksgiving Dinner
for Ted and Tot, and How They Gave
Thanks for 1t.
He ran down the steps very fast, and
came to an abrupt stop when he had
reached the street corner. Thrusting
both hands deep into his pants pockets,
he stood quite still for several minutes,
whistling yankee Doodle" But the
vim and energy with which he usually
whistled that National air was utterly
wanting, and there was a mournful
cadence to the boys "whistle," which
correspondent exactly with the per-
picked pucker between his dark eye
brows and the solemn expression in
his brown eyes,
at must be done somehow he
SAID, decidedly, leaving yankee
Doodle" but half whistled, in order to
use his lips for the purpose of speak
Ing. They must have Thanksgiv-
ING dinner But how am | ever to get
even so much as an apple for them
with the little bit that | can earn? [
can't tell. But it shall be done in some
way"
He resumed his walk down the
street and the National tune at the
same time. A well-built, sturdy little
fellow of eleven years, with clear,
truthful eyes and frank, honest face,
which would have been sufficient
surety for his good behavior any
where,
"Neyer mind" said he, bravely,
after reaching the business part of the
city "If Gods a-going to answer Ted
and Tots prayer, as they think He
will, He'll make n way for me to help
Him do it, cause I'm the only one
there is to help Him now"
There was a pitiful culver in Mats
voice as he said this. He seemed to
hear, once more, the doleful sound of
the dirt falling on the cheap pine box
which held the remains of las darling
a mother as ever boy had" That is
what he would have said, and what he
often did say, in order to keep his
courage from utterly falling when he
thought of those two little ones at
home, dependent upon his eXcrtions
for their daily bread.
Since their mothers death, more
than week before, Nat had supplied
their wants by doing odd jobs and er-
rands. They had needed no fire as
yet, because these little children lived
in Southern city, away in Texas, and
the few 3old-breathed "northers"
which had already come had been met
by Nat in this way: He had wrapped
the two worn blankets they possessed
shout the little ones, telling them to
keep snug in their warm nest until the
sun had warmed the outdoors, and
then torun out in it. AS for himself, he
depended on his activity to keep the
blood well circulating, and in this way
battled with the cold.
But they could scarcely live in this
manner all winter 1t is a great re-
sponsibility for any one to be burdened
with family at the beginning of win
ter, and especially so for boy OF
eleven years. But the coming winter
did not trouble Nat on the morning of
which we speak. Sufficient for the
day is the evil thereof" and Mats
mind was wholly concerned about a
Thanksgiving dinner for Tot and Ted
Hold my horse a minute, bub, y
called a rough voice. as cowboy"
with broad-rimmed hat and big
topped boots, sprang to the ground
and flung the bride to Nat. He wa:
gone several minutes, and'Nat begar
to get uneasy. 1t was such preciou,
time to him just then, because to-mor
row would be Thanksgiving, and he
ought to be earning that dinner.
Presently, however, the man returned
and, as he sprang into his saddle, hi
flung Nat ''two-bit' piece, in place
of the nickel the boy expected.
Cowboys are mostly generous,
said Nat, gleefully, as he pocketed the
shining silver piece. II couldn't "a
done better at any thing for the littl'
time it took. / rcckon God is a-help
ing me to get that Thanksgiving din
ner for the chicks at home"
Stepping into large grocery-store
Nat looked about for the proprietor
Seeing a finely-dressed gentleman il
conversation with one of the clerks
Nat decided that he was the owner o
the establishment. He waited patient
ly till the gentleman turned away, ant
then addressed him:
"Please, sir" lifting his rimless ma
respectfully, "do you want a boy to
day? I'd like big Job, sir, one tina
would make money enough to buy
boss Thanksgiving dinner"
Eth" The gentleman turned an
looked at Nat closely. Something il
the eager young face attracted his al
tentiOn.
81 suppose you want turkey, Gran
berry sauce, plum-puddng and ALL?
he asked, with grave countenancC
but a sly twinkle in his eyes.
Eyes, sir, just enough for two. Al
, I'd like two oranges to top off with.
"What, after topping off once wit
plum-pudding?"
"Well, l don't s'pose they'd min
topping off twice, just for once, seein
/ rs they don't get much of any thing o