The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-06
THE LAST PUMPKIN.
A STORY OF THANKsGIyING

1t was not a very cheerful season for
the French family on their little farm. A
few days before Thanksgiving Mrs.
French found her husband lying lnseusi.
BILE on the floor of the barn.
Ii seems he had found a man stealing
hay and a struggle ensued and he was
struck down. The worst of it vas that
a pocketbook 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 mnch about the
money. She tried her best to cheer him
came around again.
Il don't think we have much to give
thanks for said the husband, sadly
thinking of bis loss.
I'm snre it might be a great deal
worse was Snsan's reply. "WeIIhaye
a good dinner anyway" cheerfully, rs
she dressed the children and tidied the
room. She was so glad that her husband
was able to be about that she felt thauk
full in heart.
"And, then, there amt any puukins,"
said little Ltly, "and no tul key"
There is a pumpkin, said The moth
er. triumphantly. "a good one I've kept
watch over it. It's all right
"Aud." continued Mrs. French, Il
think roast pork with apple sauce a.
good AS turkey. We have got two bac
fels ct apples. | shall keep T~hauksgiy-
ing; | wouldn't miss it. And, Henry,
YOU go 10 church and take John, aud III
get dinner for you-I and Lily aud she.
She had her way, ANA having tidled
the house she went out 10 the barn 10
look for eggs. Al las she beard a cackle,
and, looking oatetully, spied "a speckied
gays head prOtrudiug from the ruins
of the barn. Certain beams and boards
had so fallen as 10 make a hldiDg-place
for Speckle, and thithcr She was wend-
ing her way. Susan followed her. She
could see by crOuching low the great
white eggs that were "a make her pump
kin richer. She put in her hand and
drew them fOTth-four-hye-and then
What was that lying there-that stain
ed, bIackened thing, with gImpses of
red at the edges Yes, 1t was a great,
soft, Hat pocket-bOOk-the pocket-book
in which Henry French had carried his
wealth about his person. IL was warped
and melted into a wad, but as she tOrelt
open she saw that the little fortune was
safe there vas hope and courage for
Henry now.
Il smell the fire" said little John, huI-
rying in after church. ''Pa, dinner is
ready"
And Tm ready for it, said the far
mer. 'How bright you ali look, girls
What is it, the one pumpkinl He spoke
a little bitterly As he uttered the last
words, and drew bis chair 10 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.
II suppose | ought to- said Henry.
"We've got a house over us this year
He bent bis head and uttered a few
words of thanksgiving. Then he leaned
back in his chair.
''Take the cover of the little dish, pa,
said Lily.
"Why, what is in the little dish ="
asked Henry. "Wby do you all look soi
And Susan reached acros, and lifted
the lid, and Henry looked. Everything
was safe-tbe coupon bonds, the money,
the receipts-eyerything
Susan was not the only u down
" hose cheeks tears ran that day-tears
of joy and thankfulness.
And it all came about" thought Hen
ry, because Susan kept up her heart so
well aud made the best she could Of our
one pumpkin