The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-11-18

spices and raisins, crooks of eggs, but
ter, lard, and then, dashed to the top.
were chickens and a monstrous fat
turkey.
The boys assembled to inspect the
load and, after exerting considerable
satisfaction, it was decided that these
things should be placed just before
morning in the widows yard, and that
a watch should be kept over them until
daylight. Black Nan had been let into
the secret, and she volunteered to go
and spend the night with her old mis-
tress, as she was sometimes in the habit
of doing. Then the money, which was
still 800, was to be sent next day by a
trusted messenger.
Soon after dark the faithful colored
woman raped and vas admitted at the
cottage. She greeted Mrs. st. Clair
with: s'Bein' as twas the night afo'
Thanksgivin', l tho't you'd be kinder
lonely like, honey, an SO I fetched my
blanket to stay all night. rs toted the
least bit of a supper for you, too"
you're SO kind to me Mamie; the
only friend I've got now" said Mrs. St.
Clair, and the tears gathered in the eyes
that looked as though the fountain
from whence they sprung was bitter in
deed. The black woman paid no at
tention to this remark, but, placing a
chair at the table, said: snow, honey,
JUS set right down here and eat this
bit afo' it's stone cold" The mistress
did as requested, and Mamie hustled
about the room busting a book here and
there and keeping up a great display of
work, when in fact there was nothing
to do. She frightened the fire, moved
Mrs. st. Glars rocker where she would
feel the glowing warmth, went into the
next room and brought out several Or
naments, which she disposed of in such
a way as to add very materially to the
cheerful appearance of the room.
1t occurred to Nan that the boys
might make some noise in removing
the various articles from the wagon.
So with the idea of getting her mistress
to think that the disturbance could be
easily explained if she heard it, Nan
said: "'Pears to me its dreadful late
in the year to low cow to browse out
as Mr.. Jones do. Isaw free or fou' in
the Darby road as / come long"
"Perhaps the gate is left open SO that
they can seek shelterif necessary" Mrs.
St. Clair replied.
Nan managed to peer into a good
many places, and when she laid down
| on her blanket she whispered softly to
herself, Dem boys amt comm none
too soon, dat's shur." She chuckled to
herself at the thought of the morning
and soon fell fast asleep.
The first thing she knew something
whacked against the door. She hoped
Mrs. st. Clair had not wakened, but she
did and called softly Mamie"
Eyes, missus; / heard it. Dem pesky
COWS must he on q rampage. but dey
can't do no hurt, nonow, SO don't you
be skeered." There was a little more
noise, but the explanation seemed salts
factory and nothing more was said.
Nan was astir early, but she managed
not to 90 near the door. After Mrs. St.
| Clair had risen and dressed she stepped
to the door and opened it.
Come here, Mamie, quick!" she
cried, 1.-THE door is blockaded. What
can it meanP"
.sWhy Missus St. Clair, what do you
meanp" and she hustled in the very
picture of surprise. Law me-, Miss
Nora, how you scared me. Inn all out
of breff. II that's what you call block
aiding, l wish some un d do dat same
at our house, sure 'nuffr!' and she pro-
ceeded to take down boxes and pack
ages that we're piled to the very top of
the door.
Mrs. st. Clair turned pale, sat down
and wept softly. without a word. Nam
ME worked with right good VIII to re-
move the articles to proper places. She
talked necessarily. There" she said,
s.some folks say dat the Lord specially
members the widders and faderless
chiluns Thanksgivin' time, and this
pears to look like it. Thar, you fat
turkey, you'll make a fine dinner. I'll
put reglar old Virginia stuffin' in ye-
dat l willard then them cranberries
makes good sass, too. For goodness
sakes, what's dis 'tached to de door
latchp Now. honey, you read dis and
see what it says"
What she spoke of was a large en-
veiope fastened to the knob, upon which
was written: s.Mrs. st. Clair, a Thanks.
giving present from the. boys" and
when it was opened 800 in banknotes
fell out.
"Jes like dem boys. any how" said
the servant, but the mistress heard never
a word. She had risen; turned and
sank upon her knees, and such O prayer
of thankfulness a poured from her lip:
is seldom the lot Of mortals to hear.
Her last dollar was gone and her fooG
nearly exhausted. She was too PROUD
to seek help from the old friends she
had avoided. Every day she had hoped
for the return of Roland, but it was now
three years since he sailed from Londor
to Australia and no word had reached
her in that time. She had hoped for hi
return until her heart had sickened will
hope so long deferred, and she was nov
Nan had stepped in the night before sh,
was thinking that she must have dranl
every dreg out of her life's cup of bit
terness.
This was the dear old town where
both her parents had been laid to resi-
before she had reached her eighteenth
birthday. Hero was the grave of her
husband and here, too, Ter Roland had
been born.
She had loved and trusted her friend
until they spoke harsh things of her hus
band. Some were true, others wer'
not. He had gambled a little, that wa
true. Many young men had done tn
same thing and had afterward led mode
lives. He was gone and she would no
permit a word against him. II sh
| must suffer through his thoughtlessnes
those who had fiattered him living an
condemned him dead should neve
know the real truth until she couls
prove it beyond the shadow of a doubt
So she wrapped the mantle of her prid'
about her, gave up the elegant home
the farm and every thing else and wen
to live in this little cottage.
She knew that the greater part of tn
money for which her estate had bee
. ~mortgaged vert to pay up the debt
I upon some ancestral estates belongin
to her husband family of which he eS
pected possession in a year from tn
e period of his sudden death. 1t neve