The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1888-11-24

The old man chuckled "Don't you know,
l said once that l he'd kind of an idee that
Thanksgivin' weren't quite so early. and you
shut me up, Mother" he remarked. He look
ed good-naturedly malicious.
"Well | dunno as it's anything so very
queer" said Mrs. Little. ''It comes whole
week later than it did last year, and s'posed
we'd missed hearin' the proclamation"
The next day letter arrived saying that
Lucy and her father and mother were coming
to spend Thanksgiving. Il feel jest about
beat,,' Mrs. Little said when she read the letter.
Really, she did feel about at her wits end
Theturkey and the pudding were not yet found,
and she had made up her mind that she would
not wait much longer before providing more.
She knew that another turkey must be procur-
ed, at all events. However, she waited until
the last minute Wednesday afternoon, then
she went to work mixing pudding. Mr.. Lit
tie had gone to the store for the turkey. "Sam
White was over there, an he said be thought
we was goin' right into turkeys this year, he
reported when he got home.
That night the guests arrived. Thanksgiv-
ing morning, Lucy, and Ann Mary, and their
grandfather, and Lucy's father and mother,
were all going to Meeting. Mrs. Little was to
stay at home and cook the dinner
Thanksgiving morning, Mr.. Little made
fire in the best-parlQr air-tight stove and just
before they started for meeting Lucy and Mary
were in the ROOM Lucy, in the big rocking
chair that was opposite the sofa, was rocking
to and fro and talking. Ann Mary sat near
the window: Each of the little girls had ON
her coat and hat
Suddenly Lucy stopped rocking and looked
intently over toward the sofa
"What you loolxin' at, Lucy?" asked Ann
Mary, curi0usly.
Lucy still looked "Why-I was wondering
what was under that sofa said she slowly
Then she turned to Ann Mary, her face was
quite pale and startled-she had heard the
turkey and pudding story. "Oh, Ann Mary,
it does sloOk-look-Oh--"
Both little girls rushed to the sofa, and threw
themselves on the floor. "Oh, oh, oh p they
shrieked: 'Grandma-Mother Come quick,
come quick!''
When the others came in, there sat Ann
Mary and Lucy on the floor, and between them
were the turkey and plum-Pudding, each care
fully covered with a asnow-white napkin.
Mrs. Little was quite pale and trembling
II remember now," said she family, 81 run in
here with 'em."
She was so overcome that the others tried to
take it quietly and not to laugh much. But
every little while, after Lucy and Ann Mary
were seated in church. they would look at each
other and have to put their handkerchiefs to
their faces. However, Ann Mary tried to lis
ten to the sermon, and to behave well. In the
depths of her childish heart she felt grateful
and happy. There. by her side, sat her dear
Lucy, whose sweet little face peeped out from
a furry winter hat. Just across the aisle was
Loretta, who was coming in the evening, and
then they would pop corn and make nut-candy.
AT home there was the beautiful new turkey
and unlimited pudding and good cheer, and all
disappointment and mystery were done away
with.
Ann Mary felt as if all her troubles would be
followed by thanksgivings-St. Nicholas.