Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-29

little
Thanksgiving, he said in an abasned but
sturdy manner. He looked defiantly at
his wife, and slowly unrolled the news
paper that he had wrapped around the
bundle. Then he held it up. There W ere
three pies, one set in another Mrs. Good
ell made a spring forward
"For the land sake, fatherr she cried,
"if you amt set the apple an the mince
pies right into the squash!''
Hiram stood still and eyed the pies dubi-
ously. Il declare never thought about
that said he
''It's jist as much as a man knows" said
his wife.
She helped Mrs. Emerson set the pies to
rights. The two men stood by and watched.
Foster Emerson's nervous face, grey
bearded and delicate-colored as a girls,
was radiant. His deep-set blue eyes were
full of delighted excitement; now and then
the muscles around them twitched. All
at once he heard a murmur of voices in
the sitting-room, and opened the door.
Then he made an exclamation. The others
all looked. There stood Fanny Emerson
and John Goodell in the middle of the
floor. John had gone to the Emersans' in
the same way that his father did. They
had both gone up the road past the Bepis
house, then turned into lane, and struck
off across lots behind their own, emerging
from another lane just above the Lord
house, into the high-road.
Fanny and John were both bfushing.
When John saw his father and mother, he
looked abashed for a minute, then he
stepped forward boldly.
"Hullol you here?" said he; 'I have been
making little call on Fanny"
He surveyed the table, and the array of
food swiftly, then he placed some chairs
near the stove for himself and family md
they sat down. Presently the otheF did
also; it seemed like an ordinary neighborly
visit. By-and-by it was growing dusky,
and Mrs. Emerson brought out the tea
pot. Mrs. Goodell helped her spread the
table and the two families had supper to-
gether.
1t was bright moonlight when the Good
els went home. John walked on ahead
whistling, and his father and mother fol-
lowed more slowly. Now they were alone
together, both felt somewhat stiff, and
embarrassed. 1t was not until they were
past the Lord house that Hiram spoke.
81 amt told you what told him I'd do,
have II" he queried.
mo. you amt"
"Well, told him I'd give him job cut
ting wood for me all winter, if he wanted
it, and-Tve bout made up my mind I'll
buy that woodland of him. He can part
pay up his mortgage if I do. The wood
won't be ready to cut on it for another ten
year, an there's the taxes, but I dunno
but I'd better.''
Hiram's old face in the moonlight had
at once rueful and heroic expression.
well mebbe you'd BETTER" said his
wife, with a sigh.
1t was quite late when they reached
home, but late as it was Jane Lord came
over again. She had cup and she wanted
to borrow some yeast. She did not sit
down. but she stood hesitating at the door,
after the cup was filled.
81 want to know" said she, eff I sec
you all goin' down the road to the Emer-
sons, this afternoon"
Mrs. Goode1 drew herself up. She
looked quite frigid and stately. eyes,"
she replied; what of it?"
ooh, nothing" Jane Lord looked in
If did see you"
John put on his coat again, and walked
home with Jane and carried the yeast. She
did not allude to the Emersons again.
When he returned, he paused at his own
gate and stood for a minute looking down
the road. 1t was like broad track of
silver in the moonlight. 1t seemed to
him as if all the Thanksgiving of his life
would lie down the road to the Emerson's.
Mary e. Wilkins, In the Homle-Mdker.