The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-27


"Aud, after supper, mother, you must
teach me just how to make the plum pud-
ding and fruit cake. The rest of the bak-
ing think 1 know how to manage"
"Mother," said Kate, the next evening,
I've got the fruit cake all made and
frosted. And see! I cut this little one
which Il baked for a sample. Isn't it
good?"
'Yes, dear. it ought to be nice, you
we're 80 patient and careful"
81 wish, mother" said Will, 1--WE could
have some relations for comp any, as
other folks do at Thanksgiving. Why
can't we?"
ave might ask your Aunt Prudence,
mother" said Kate. 81 heard you cay
she brought you up"
mo, neverl pever!' cried the mother,
her pale cheeks flushing scarlet, and her
eyes shining like stars. "But for her,
Your dear father might never = Don't
mention her name to me again."
allow pretty mother was, when she was
angry about Aunt Prudence!' said Will.
any mother and sister are the h sndsom-
est"-but pretty Kate was crying, and
Will dropped compliments and fell to
comforting her.
The weather, which had been fine,
changed the day before Thanksgiving to
a cold dismal storm. Mrs. Ames had
gone to bed, when Will and Kate heard
feeble knock and then groan at
the kitchen door, which Will hasten
ed to open. A wretched old woman
crouched upon the threshold pelted by
the storm. She gasped-
s'For pity sakes, let poor perishin'
body come inp and the children opened
the door wide; and Will took one hand
and Kate the other and raised her tender
ly, and led her and placed her in cush-
toned chair beside the warm stove.
Will fastened to replenish the fire; while
Kate removed the woman's wet outer
garments and shoes and stockings, which
she replaced with warm dry ones, folding
n6T nobutT DoSt suhWl duOue uCis AhCh
she set before her cup of fragrant hot
tea and the very choicest Of her hitherto
untouched Thanksgiving stores.
"You wouldn't cut the pies and cake
for me until Thanksgiving day." said
Will, as Kate divided loaf of golden
sponge cake into blocks.
"Tis for Christ, Will" she said. "He
had sent her; and you know, Hungry,
and ye fed me- and Tnasmuch.'
"Yes, and I know about angels una
wares;' but bet she amt an angel una
wares You've examined her shoulders
and you didn't find any wingsr
The poor old woman soon revived in
the genial warmth. She gathered up
the gray hair which had hung damp
about her face, and looked about her with
keen interested eye. She drank two
cups of tea and praised the eatables.
"You shall have my bedroom that
opens into this Kitchen" said Will. "Then
you can have the good Of the fire and
not disturb mother"
81 was wond'rin' whether you hain't
mother" replied the woman. "Don't put
yourself out of bed for poor wanderer
like me. Jest give me an old comf'ter
an pillar, an let me lay on this ere floor
till daylight, an I'll see if [ can't find my
way home to my folks"
"No, no! you'll use my room, and
breakfast with u.s." And they proceeded
to warm fresh sheets and put them on
the bed. and placed two hot bricks care
fully wrapped within it, and lent her a
nice night. dress, and warm-lined wrap
per of their mothers and asked what more
they could do for her before they went to
bed.
"What moreP' she exclaimed. "You
couldn't do notbin'. more, unlees-But
there, won't askF'
Eyes, yes" they both cried, "what is
it?'
"Well, if you could-but, there, you
couldn't, could you?-kiss poor, old
lone creter like me that is tryin' to git
home to her folksr' They did think it
was good deal for her to ask; but each
kissed her lips cheerfully, and Kate
whispered to Will, as they stole quietly
to bed, 1.-THE kisses, too, we're for Christ"
The mother, since her sickness, slept
late. So the children called the stranger
to nice warm breakfast with them. She
came out neatly dressed, and quite unlike
the heap of misery they had found last
night at their door, though she was bow
ed, and walked painfully with cane.
"You cannot think of stepping upon
the street in this snow and ice; you'll stay
here to day." said Kate.
"Thank'e kindly" she replied. aspect
ed to see my relations, but this ere's
good place to stop. Hain't ye no PAP"
"Our father is not at home. We loved
him dearly when he was"
"Huhl you did? Was he good to YEP
"Yes, always" said Kate. How thank
full she was she could say it! When he
was intoxicated he had sometimes ILL
treated his wife and son, but never his
pet daughter.
The baking of the big turkey was a
mountain upon Hates mind. What, then,
was her JOY on coming from her mothers
room, after getting her up and dressed,
10 6nd IL olraodv nicalv etuffad whila