Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-11-29
THE UNPROBATED WILL.
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

Poor as John Austin was, he was
made more desperate by the return of
the father of his wife, (believed to be
dead) who came home to them brok-
en- in health, silent, 'queer" man, as
the peopls of Beachton called him.
When Jane Austin was little girl
the now old man had left her mother
and herself to battle with the world. No
one knew why or whittier he had gone.
For twenty-five years nothing had
been heard of or from him. In the mean
time her mother had died, the daughter
married, and several little olive branch
es had come to twine around the hearts
of the father and mother and make the
struggle for bread still more impera-
tive.
For half a dozen years the old man
fingered rather than lived, apparently
purposelessly save to wander in the
woods around the little inland village in
summer, shiver over the fire in winter,
and constantly mutter to himself. Then
he quietly faded out from among the liy-
ing and was laid to rest in the desolate
graveyard.
Of where he had been during his long
absence he never talked; what he had
done was never known. His reappear-
ance was as sudden and unexplained as
his departure. He came on foot and
alone, and.the only thing certain about
him was his poverty.
The expense of his excepting" had
been serious drawback to the prosper
ity of the daughter and her husband;
those connected with his last sickness
and death heavy. A single dollar added
to the outlay of any man whose only
capital is his hands and only income is
from daily toll is no light affair.
But week previous to Thanksgiving
the funeral had taken place-used up
the last dollar of ready money and left
debt to be paid. In the flickering light
of the fire husband and wife sat sadly
discussing the outlook, and gloomy in
deed it was. The last of the little brood
had been tucked into bed, the fierce
wind of the Northern winter was howl
ing without, the stars shone brightly
but coldly, and the low, heavy banks of
clouds gave notice of fierce snOwstOrm,
ood +bo ,o.or br011r hut FOO hittarlv 1ubo +
that means for them.
"John," said his wife, after long 81
lence and with heavy sigh, tomorrow
will be Thanksgiving, and the children
are reckoning upon good dinner"
eyes," he replied, with his head bow
ed and tears in his eyes, "but the good
Lord only knows where it is to come
from. The care and death of your faith
er-I don't say it complaining, wife, for
you have repaid it thousand times
has not only taken the last cent, but has
left us a debt it will take months to pay.
However, the darlings shan't be disap
pointed if 1 can help it, and if you can
manage the pies and little things I'll
see what can be done about getting
something in the shape of meat. Heigh
hol what a miserable thing it is to be
poor and never have any money when
you need it most"
Yes, dear, it is hard; but we have
health, strength, and the little ones, and
that is very much to be thankful for"
"And many a rich man would give
more than the sum necessary to make
us comfortable for our appetites and the
sound sleep We enjoy"
Little they knew of the storm that
rocked hair little Gotta" and GriTted
the snow around it. But with the morn
ing light they saw it and with sinking
heart. 1t was as deathblow to the
plans John Austin had made for their
Thanksgiving dinner. He had indulged
in no fanciful dreams of turkey and
huge chicken pie, of salad and Jelly.
They were as far beyond his means as
oyster pate, terrapin, canvas-back and
champagne. A practical man, he had
thought out no sumptOus or elaborate
menu, but had resolved to be up early,
take his gun, go to the woods and see if
he could not "knock over" something
for Thanksgiving feast.
Under ordinary circumstances hunt
ing would have been recreation, and one
seldom indulged in, for necessity com
PEELED uninterrupted labor. "WhewP
he whistled under his breath as he saw
how deep was the snow, strong the wind
and freezing the air. But it was Thanks
giving and the children must not be
disappointed. So, after building a
fire and bringing in plenty of wood, he
kissed his wife, promised to be back as
early as possible, took his gun and start
ed upon the uncertain quest, for game,