The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-11-25
HE IS A GOOD GOD.

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
corresponded exactly with the per-
picked pucker between his dark eye
brows and the solemn expression in
his brown eyes.
1T 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 ut the
same time. A well-built, sturdy little
fellow of eleven years, with clear.
truthful eyes and q frank, honest face,
which would have been sufficient
surety for his good behavior any
where.
"Never mind" said he, bravely,
after reaching the business part of the
city. If Gods a-going to answer Ted
TNft vHra nj In
will, He'll make way for me to help
Him do it, cause I'm the only one
there is to help Him now.''
There was pitiful quiver 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 ''as darling
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 failing when he
thoug ht 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 cold-breathed "northers"
which had already come had been met
by Nat in this way: He had wrapped
the two worn blankets they possessed
about the little ones, telling them to
keep snug in their warm nest until tho
sun had warmed the outdoors, and
then to run out in it. As for himself, he
depended on his activity to keep the
blood we'll 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 a 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 q
Thanksgiving dinner for Tot and Ted.
"Hold my horse q minute, bub, :"
called rough voice, as a cowboy"
with a brosd-rimmed hat and big
topped boots, sprang to the ground
and flung the bride to Nat. He was
gone several minutes, and Nat began
to get uneasy. It was such precious
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, he
flung Nat a "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 little
time it took. reckon 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 tinely-dressed gentleman in
conversation with one of the clerks,
Nat decided that he was the owner of
the establishment He waited patient
ly till the gentleman turned away, and
then addressed him:
"Please, SIR" lifting his rimless hat
dayP I'd like big Job, sir, one that
would make money enough to buy a
boss Thanksgiving dinner"
| Ell! ne ScntlemdH turueu anu
looked at Nat closely. Something in
the eager young face attracted his at
tention.
'I suppose you want turkey, cram
berry sauce, plum-pudding and all9'
he asked, with a grave countenance.
but sly twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes, sir, just enough for two. An
I'd like two oranges to top off with. -"
'What, after topping off once with
plum-pudding?'
swell. don't s'pose they'd mind
topping off twice. just for once, seeing
as they don't get much of any thing on
other days"
"Theyp" questioned the stranger, 81
thought that one Of the partakers was
to be yourself"
"No, indeed, sir. It'l be Thanks
giving enough for me just to see To'
! and Ted eat" ,
"Who are Tot and Tedp''
| my little brother an sister, sir
they're twins, an are only six year
old. heard them asking God to seni
them q heap Of Thanksgiving dinner
this year. so that they'd never be hun
cry again. They're little things, sir
an don't know that they can't ca
enough at once to last for always"
ITO be sure" said the man. will
growing interest "But where are you