St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-09
THE LAST PUMPKIN.

1t was not very cheerful season for
the French family on their little farm. A
lew days before Thanksgiving Mrs.
french found her husband lying insen-
Slole on the floor of the barn.
1t seems he had found man stealing
hay and struggle enSued and he was
struck down. The worst of it was thar
pocket book containing all his savings
was gone too, and the same night the
barn was burnt down, but poor Susan
French was too busy nursing him back
to life to care very much about the
money. She tried her best to cheer
MN up, however, and so Thanksgiving
day came around again.
II don't think we have much to give
thanks for" said the husband, sadly
thinking of his loss.
I'm sure it might be great deal
worse" was Susan's reply. wen
have good dinner anyway" cheer
fully, as she dressed the children and
tidied the room. She was SO glad that
she felt thankful in heart.
"And. there amt any punkinS," said
little Lily, land no turkey"
There is a pumpkin" said the
mother, triumphantly, "a good one;
Eve kept watch over it. It's all
right"
And" continued Mrs. French, II
think roast pork with apple sauce as
good as turkey. We have got two barrels
of apples. | shall keep THANKSGIVING:
wouldn't miss it. And, Henry, YOU go
to church and take John, and FL get
dinner for you'll and Lily and Sue.
She had her way, and having tidieG
the house she went out to the barn To-
look for eggs. At last she heard u
cackle, and looking carefully spied "a
speckled gray's head protruding from
the ruins of the barn. Certain beams
and boards had so fallen as to make Il
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-iour-
fiVe-and then What was that
lying there-that stained and baclened
thing, with glimpses Of red at the
edges? Yes, it was great, soft, flat
pocketbook- pocketbook in which
Henry French had carried his wealth
about his person. 1t was warped and
melted into wad, but as She tore
it open she saw that the little fortune
was safe; there was hope and courage
lol Iieii9 ho"'
81 smell the fire. said little John,
hurrying in after church. "Pa, dinner
is ready.
"And I'm ready for it." said the
farmer. ''HOW bright you all look,
girls! What is ii, the one pumpkin?
He spoke little bitterly as he uttered
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.
Il suppose l ought to-" said Henry.
/ ''We've got q house over us this year
| He bent his head and uttered a few
words of thanksgiving. Then he leaned
| back in his chair.
Take the cover off the little dish,
pa" said Lily.
"Why, what is in the little dish?'s
asked Henry. why do you all look
| sop
And Susan reached across and lifted
the lid, and Henry looked. Everything
was safe-the coupon bonds, the money,
| the receipts-everythin
Susan was not 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"