The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-11-22
HOW Mss STRONG KEPT THANKS.
GIVING.

the window was open, and Miss Strong
was enjoying the spicy air which seemed
filled with odors of ripe fruit and late
flowers. The asters were still bright, and
the goldea-rod was not quite ready for
frost.
Miss Strong had seen forty-fve Octo-
bers, and the mild beauty of the autumn
day made her think Of it. She had been
'little TiIda' among a family Of brothers
and sisters, then sfMiss Tilda'' when the
rest had married and gone. and now she
was Miss Strong and sometimes even
"old Miss Strong" alone in her rooms.
She had secured a tenant for the best
part of the old homestead but still kept
three rooms on the South side. In her cup
board there stood a plate and cup and sau-
Ger, which were used by her at her daily
meals. She did not often have company
for she lived alone when she was at home,
but that was not very often, because she
was very much in demand. She was
known the length and breath of the viii
lage for her kindness in times Of trouble,
and her counsel was sought by old and
young.
But when the sick had been ministered
to, the brides dressed, or the dead buried,
Miss Strong came back to her home by
herself, and sometimes she was very lonely
indeed.
She was thinking a little sadly about all
this, when a bright maple leaf from a tree
outside fiuttered in through the window,
and settled on her lap, turning her thoughts
quite in another direction.
Thanksgiving is almost here, sure
enough she said, half aloud and | must
gather som maple leaves before they are
quite gone. How I wish | could have a
good old.fashioned Thanksgiving
Then she sighed. "Quite out Of the
question of course with Johns children
in Florida, and VIII and his wife in Col
orado.
Turkey and cranberry sauce would be
out of place here with no one to eat it,"
There was another sigh as she rolled up her
knitting, and put IN her shade hat to go
out and collect the leaves.
they were so bright and tempting, gold
en- and red and brown, and the air was so
wonderfully fresh, that as often happens,
circumstances began TO look brighter. AZ
ter a few minutes Miss Strong ives think
ing how much she had to be thankful for,
and that it was her duty 10 express this
thankfulness in some way. Now, up stairs
in an old bureau drawer there were some
silver dollars laid by from time to time, be-
cause somebody might want help, : and
when the turkey and cranberry sauce were
out of the question, Miss Strong thought
of this.
Il would like TO make a real happy
Thanksgiving, for somebody, she said 70
herself and then there was a sudden whirl
of bright Leaves which made her forget ey-
erything in a chase after them, and haitian
hour later she came into her house with
her apron full. A few days after this. she
son, who had been i'll, and she found the
boy sitting in an arm chair by the window,
''the first time in six weeks his mother
explained.
The mothers face was radiant. You
cannot think how thankful l am Miss
Strong, she said, so see him sitting there.
1t was bad enough to have Mary SO far a.
way, working herselfto death in a factory,
and sending me half her wages; but when
John took sick l pretty near broke down.
He has talked about Mary all the time, and
even now before he can really sit up he
keeps it up. I do believe If she could only
come home for Thanksgiving, he would
get right up again But thas would take
four precious dollars, SO We must not think
oft"
ma is going to write to Mary today"
said the boy in a feeble voice.
eyes, | told her | would write the vers
first day h. could sit up. ! told her ali a.
bout your kindness. and she said she would
never forget it,
Miss Strong only stayed a few minutes,
for she had another call to make, and more
over a bright thought had eans inse her
mind. Perhaps it would be more truthful
to say, it had been sent into her heart by
one of those messengers who bring saeh
thoughts.
ssNhy not make a Thanksgiving at the
Widow Laue's, with four of the precious
dollars"
She thoaght it over for several days, and
so it happened thai poor trel Nary Lane,
returning to her room after her days toll,
found a letter there with money enclosed
and an Invitation to spend Thanksgiving al
home. How happy she was.
The din of the machinery which she
thought was never absent from her ears,
was unheard, and she SIT down to her SOL
itary supper of bread aud milk with a light
heart.
One day a week later, Miss Strong, had a
call from Jennie Adams, the minister's
young daughter. Jennie was always a
welcome visitor for she was merry and love
able, bat to-day and she Lad very little to
say. She came to bring a report of For
eign missions her father had sent, aud then
she sat down by the fire and did not speak.
whats happened in your world, Jen-
nie?p asked Miss Strong.