The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-12-06
THERAYMONDS, rHANKSGIvING.

IL was perpleXlng question 10 decide
The first thought, and very natura
one, too, had been to indulge in Dime
considerably out of the ordinary course
But economy controlled their every da,
finances and would not relax its author
ity on feast day. The thought Of al
unpaid doctors bill f some seventy-fiv
dollars turned their minds from turkel
to chicken; and the necessity of nev
clothes for Nellie and Robbie compelled
the choice of something still less expen
sive.
"Of course, John" answered Mary, il
tone indictive of disappointment, ri
chicken is fifteen cents a pound an,
sparerib eleven cents, we shall have Il
have the sparerib."
"If we could afford anything better
you know l would gladly get it," an
swered Mr.. Raymond sadly.
"There John, l wasn't complaining,
quickly exclaimed Mrs. Raymond; "a
far as the eating is concerned, I'd rathe
have good roast pork any day thai
chicken. But had sort of set my hear
on having it, because it always SEEM
more like Thanksgiving to have CHECKER
, or something of that kind, and you wer'
doing better; buc then. we can't afforC
it and that's the end of it. and in half al
hour shall forget that l had such {
foolish idea
mot 80 foolish an idea after all" sale
Mr.. Raymond, with an attempt at gale
ty; Il shall have just such an idea, only
more foolish, at Christmas. Why It'l
almost seven, isn't it? My dinner al
put upP l must be off in hurry"
"Yes, it's all ready. Oh, you'll have
to set some sugar and saleratus tonight. :
"All right" and with good by to the
children, he hurried to his work. He
was carpenter by trade: but a long
sickness incapacitaled him for work at
tended by any exposure, so he gladly ac'
cepted the situation offered hlm by
Sampson Bros. lat their paper mill, where
the work was light and the pay light in
proportion.
Mrs. Raymond stood at the window q
moment watching her husband go
down the street; when she turned there
were tears in her eyes and she said r.
herself, Poor fellow, | should think hC
would almost hate me-"
Hate her for what cause ?
Let us glance at John Raymond's his
tory moment. In his younger days he
was inclined to be dissipate1, and his
favorlte resort was the village inn. The
leading attraction for John and Others
of his set was the landlords handsome
daughter. When the news of this be-
h ,vior came TO Sumner Ray mond he wa-
v,ry angry: but after consulting with
his wife wisely refrained from any harsh
measures of correction, hoping that as
his son matured he would see the folly
OF his ways. But matters became worse
week by week and finally climax was
reached. There was disgraceful gam
bling row at the inn, the landlord was
killed, his widow left town, and the
daughter left penniess, homeless and
almost friendless. John Raymond's ad-
mration was quickly transformed by
pity into deep and sympathetic love,
and he offered the unfortunate girl his
heart and whatever fortune he might
have. This was TOO much for his fathers
proud nature, and he angrily told his
son that the husband of a gambler S
daughter would never receive cent of
his money or be sheltered unde his roof.
But John Raymond married Mary La
mont and she made him helpful wife.
The terrible shock of her fathers death
wrought marvellous change in her ma
ture. Realizing how prominently she
had figured in the wrecking of her hus-
band s character, her sole thought was
tn help him become a man. and sho QUO
ceeded. They removed to Chester, ten
miles away, Immediately after their
marriage, and then prosperity attended
them for time. Several manufactures
and large paper mill were erected, aud
John being skilful carpenter, obtained
plenty of work at good wages, so that
each year a snug sum was deposited in
the bank. But long sickness swept
away the surplus earnings and involved
them heavily in debt, which diminished
but slowly, as his wages now were bare
ly sufficient for their daily needs.
Would this be sufficient to cause
man to hate his wife 1t might for an
unreasonable brute; but for John Ray
mond-no, he was too sensible a man.
He fully realized that he had only him
self to blame for His own misfortunes.
To be sure, there were a few hard
thoughts for his father and sister, with
whom his father had lived at Clifton
since his mothers death ten years ago.
There was snow falling when he re-
turned at night, and as he entered the
house covered with flakes and his arms
loaded with packages. he would have
m mlde a creditable Santa Claus.
His wife did not particularly notice
the packages when he entered, but as he
stepped along to the table to put them
down, she looked more carefully and
saw to her astOnishment, would be a
sparerIb was not.
John Raymond y she exclaimed,
"where did you get that turkey y
"At the store,' he answered with pro-
voking GOODNESS.
She glanced at his face and catching a
CLEAN in his eye that she knew of old
indicated he was trying to tease her she
surmised that it was gift, and trium-
phantly exclaimed . "Some one gave it
to you"
you guessed that so easy suppose you
tell me who it was"
ITO much for me- she answered
laughingly.
Ditto" said he.
Don't you know who gave it to your
she asked incredulously.
Il do and l don't" he answered
laughingly. but won't tantalizs you
any more, I'll tell you all know about
it, which is precious little. When l
called into Aliens on my way home to
get the things you wanted, he said the
stage driver had left a turkey there for
me, and that there was five dollars to
my credit. That's all know about it,
where it came from don't see."
John" said she rather slowly, 'you
don't suppose it came from Clifton, do
you 2"
"Clifton No." he responded bitterly,
''who is there that cares whether we
have anything to eat or not r
"Well, don't know, thought per
haps but there, of course it isn't. Come
let's sit down to the tablr, supper is get
ting cold"
They were nearly through when a
knock sounded on the door, and at near
ly the same time the door opened and in
stepped a neighbor, Mrs. Cover.
"S'pose you'll think I'm crazy" said
she in answer to their exclamations of
welcome and surprise; but had some
thing to tell Mary, and Frank had a
weekly Times all full of the election that
he thought John would like to read, 80
thought l would come over snow or
no snow, and get here before you were
through supper so to help wash dishes
while talked. And here's squash,
twill come in handy day after tomor-
row."
VERY much Obliged" said John; II
was just thinking we shouldn't have any
squash Thanksgiving"
"You are so thoughtful" said Mary
gratefully.
John was soon immersed in the news,
and as soon as the table was cleared 30
were the two in the pantry. The dishes