River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-11-21

zied by this proceeding. DicE indeed
thought il rather kind OF his old sclIooI-
mates to give him bit of their fun,
though he was no longer of them. Mrs.
Gordon wished they hadn't been so noisy
and walked "Pa," who had just dropped
into an uneasy slumber, but boys don't
think, she added. apologetically. Ellen
sighed over the pumpkins wasted on
that procession and wished she had one
for pies; while the smaller fry one and
all were wild with excitement and longed
to give chase, but were relenticssly swept
off to bed by the motherly Jane, who
came next Ellen in age, and was nurse
maid in general.
Little did any Of the family guess at
the plans developing in that noisy
crowd. Every boy was ready 10 do
something, for Dick had been favorite
and then Jasper's artful proposal that.
the things should be hung at the door,
May-basket fashion, promised unlimited
larks.
They were all country boys, with each
his own way of earning money. Some
| had vegetables of their own raising.
some apples; several of them kept hens
] NAAA A-thA ~ S1AAs anu NAtNNF- hCAAI
of them could give much, yet as one
boys gift met another's, good deal was
made up.
I'll give wood" cried Tom Horton
loudly; I've got wood-lot this year. =
and sove l." shouted Billy Gray,
''and ! will give just as much as Tom
does!'
''Ive got prime lot of nuts to sell"
added another. III give some OF the
money towards bag of flour" and then
there were several dimes and quarters
offered to make it up.
IN ask father to send a load OF
coal" said Walter Hale. at last, con-
sequentially, but the boys would have
no airs.
''That will be jolly For your father. >
said John Teal; but what are You
gJing to give yourself?'
! Walter lifted his eyebrows super
ciliously. isn't that enough3" he said.
haughtily.
More than enough for your father,
said Jasper. bluntly; but yoU don't
give it. / thought we boys were run
ming this business and then Walter
offered his mite with the rest.
The night before Thanksgiving came
a clear. s.arlit evening. dark enough FOL
the cons orators. but not too dark. The
Gordons were all at home. Mr.. Gordon
sitting up and busted with q piece Q
wood-carving. He was q carpenter >!
trade. and had some skill, which h
hoped to turn TO trifiing accoun during
his illness. He looked pale and anX
ious. and there were now lines of care il
Mother GOrdon's face rs she bent owe
her mendi:g-basket The younge
children weIe safely in bed. and Dicl
and Ellen at the table. with their head'
close together, were puzzling over ;
hard sum-" for they were trying q
keep up with their classes by "-enins
work. Tomorrow would be a holiday
at the mill, but there would be little
festivity at home. 1t was so hard &
earn the daily food for the :amilv now
there was nothing to spare for luxuries
81 wish l could gey mp little some
thing extra for the children" though
Mrs. Gordon, with a weary sigh. and a
the moment came a laundering rap a
the door and sound OF swift feet sour
rying away.
Those boys" sighed Mr.. Gordon
half irritably, and Dick sprang up anC
ran 10 the door.
What is IL, Dick? Don't keep th'
door open" called his mother, for Dici
was looking up and down the street fo
the mysterious visitant.
''Its box" he called back, eXcitedly
~ big box!7 and Ellen few to help him
and between them they tugged into the
room not only the big box, but smaller
pasteboard one that had been bidder
behind it. And there were Rachel''
plump chickens dressed for cooking, anC
looking almost good enough to be eater
then and there; there were potatoes
turnips and onions, nicely washed ant
made ready, and quart bowl o
ruddy cranberry sauce. There was ;
loaf of bread for stuffing. while tn
smaller hox held 40 spicy mince pies
below (which R;schel's mother had sent
and above the pumpkin pies she HAD
promised, of which she was justly proud