The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-27
MAKING THE BEST OF IT.
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

otis shame, Kate, you can't ever have
things like other girlsp
zone thing I have that lots OF other
girls haven't" she answered.
"That's true. My sister Kate has the
prettiest face in town."
20 brother Will, I mean I have you"
"What am good for? Here tits almost
Thanksgiving, and we haven't anything"
"Don't say so, Will. We have each
other. Let us be thankful for that, and
make the very best of it"
"sThe very best of itr What best is
there to it?" thought Will Ames standing
under the bare limbs of the walnut tree.
What good, say nothing of best, was
there indeed in their lot? Mother sick,
father-ah, there was the bitternessl-
father, a noble man, but for that one
thing, was sometimes Incorporate, and
nine months ago had left them, and gone
they knew not where or, indeed, whether
he we're dead or alive.
The little homestead was mortgaged,
and they were destitute of visible means OF
support. Yet, as if fed by invisible birds
or fairies or angels, they seemed always
comfortable and received no charities.
Will and Kate were the fairies. They
had laid down the school-books and play
things of childhood, and taken up the
burden their father left them. With the
COW and the poultry and garden, with ber-
ry-picking and nut gathering, by inces-
SAINT industry and economy, they had
managed to pay six months interest on
the mortgage and keep bread In the
house.
Their mother was woman OF energy
and culture and love for her had inspired
them; but she had increased instead of
tightening the work, having heen pros
trated in the summer by fever, from
the effects of which she had not yet re-
covered.
"'The best of itp Yes, WILL" said the
boy under the bare hickory tree. "My
name is Will. II Kate and L hadn't both
worked with will, Hardy would have
had our home instead of that interest
money. I guess I'm good for Thanks-
giving dinner yet. But how to get itp'
He thought very hard, and finally ex-
claimed
"Yes, will will sell them"
"Sell what?' asked Kate coming out
from the house.
Ill l,o L Won kr1nm oil tho
rest of the fowls we're sold for the in
terest money, but this pair are such pure
beauties that they took the prize at the
county fair and meant to keep them. l
couldn't bear to part with them; but l
will to some poultry fancier for enough
to buy big turkey"
Who would fancy them? They talked
it over, till at last Kate was inspired to
cry
Advertise them in the Informer! Mr..
Lyman will let you leave the Leghorns at
his store for SALE"
SO the advertisement was written, to
the effect that Will Ames, the boy who
took the prize for pair of white Leg
horns, would sell the same at No. %
Main street, November 10. 1t was two
miles into town, but Will managed it all;
and Mr.. Lyman kindly sent him the fol-
lowing letter the evening of the 19th:-
Friend VIII: Your live stock sold for
ten dollars. which have to your order.
Also, I bargained that you are to re-
ceive six of the Leghorn's eggs free in the
spring, which, as the purchaser refused
to give her name or residence, it is doubt
full whether you get. LYMAN.
"'Tis ten dollars, isn't it, Kate?" said
Will, passing the letter, though nothing
could we'll be palmer than that "ten dol
lars"
"Yes, indeed" said Kate. "And then
the eggsl Tn sure you'll get them, if the
Leghorn lives and lays, because it's a
womau's promise"
s'Miss Impudence, shall never see
one Of the eggs. What's a woman's
promise?"
90 mother DEAR" said Kate, "Will has
sold his Leghorns for ten dollars. He's
going into town in tine morning to buy all
we want for Thanksgiving. And seel I've
got cream toast and chocolate, plenty
for all of us for supper. Now you'll
eat, won't you? I'm sure you'd get strong
faster, il you ate more"
II will try to eat, Katie. I'm sure l