The sun., 1888-07-05
SuSan'S Ch eerfulness.


for the French family on their farm.
A few days before Thanksgiving Mrs
French found her husband lying in
sensible on the floor of the barn.
1t seems he had found man steal
ing hay, and struggle ensued and he
was struck down. The worst of 1T
was that pocketbook containing
all his savings was gone, too, and tho
same night the barn was burned
down; but poor Susan French was
too busy nursing him back to life to
care very much about the money.
Sne tried her best to cheer him up
however, and SO Thanksgiving day
came around again.
Il don't think we have much to
give thanks for" said the husband,
sadly thinking OF his loss.
Ppm sure it might be q great deal
worse" was Susan's reply. "We'lI
have good dinner, anyway" cheer
fully, as she dressed the children and
tidied the room. She was so glad that
her husband was able to be about
that she felt thankful in her heart.
"And, then, there amt any pump.
kins," said little Lily, land no tur-
key"
'There is a pumpkin" said the
mother, triumphantly-, "a good one;
pve kept watch over it. otis all
right"
"Ah," continued Mrs. French, II
think roast pork with apple sauce. as
good as turkey. We've got two bar
rels of apples. J she'll keep thanks.
giving, l wouldn't miss it. And
Henry, you 60 to church and take
John, and I'll get dinner for you-I
and Lilly and Sue.,'
She had her way, and having tidiel
the house she went to the barn to
look for eggs. At last she heard q
cackle and looking carefully spied O
speckled gray's head protruding from
the ruins of the barn. Certain beams
and boards had fallen so as to make
hiding place for Speckle, and thither
she was vending her way. Susan fol-
lowed her. She could see by crouching
low the great white eggs that were to
make her pumpkin richer. She put in
her hand and drew them forth-four
-fve-and then--What was that
lying there-that stained, blackened
thing, with glimpse OF red at the edeess
Yes, 1t was a great, soft, fiat pocket
book-the pocketbook in which Henry
French had carried his wealth about
his person. 1t was warped and melt.
ed into a wad. but as she tore it open
she saw that the little fortune was
safe; there was hope and courage for
Henry now.
X X
II smell fire." said little John, hur-
rying in after church, "Pa, dinner is
ready"
"And Pm ready for it," said the
farmer. "How bright you all look,
girls! What is it, the one pumkin"
He spoke little bitterly as he utter.
ed the last words, and drew his chair
to the table, there stood the pork,
the potatoes, the great golden pie, a
dish of apple sauce, and another dish
covered.
"Will you give thanks, Henry?"
said his wife.
81 suppose l ought to, said Henry.
"We'veg got q house over us this year"
He bent his head and uttered few
words in thanksgiving. Then he
leaned back in his chair.
''Take the cover off the little dish,
pa" sold Lily.
"Why, what is in the little dish?"
asked Henry. "Why do you all look
so?"
And Susan reached across and lifted
the lid. and Henry looked, Every
thing was safe-the coupon bond. the
money, the recelpts-everything.
Susan was net the only one down
whose cheeks tears ran that day
tears of JOY and thankfulness.
"And it came about" thought
Henry, "because Susan kept up her
heart so we'll and made the best she
could OF our one pumpkin"