The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-11-28

As Mrs. Wilkins sat sewing, she hearu
the wind rising, and went to the window
to look out. The moon was partly COW
cred by threatening clouds. While she
watched they obscured the silver light
completely.
"It looks mighty threatcnin', she said
to herself. II should feel real bad if pa
couldn't git back for Thanksgivin', for
the children has set 80 much store by
what he's goin' to bring 'em. 1 wouldn't
feel right good myself. We've eat our
Thanksgivin dinner together on that
day this ten year, an I've alters been
thankful for my man an children.
There amt many sech."
Thus her homely thoughts ran on I'M
til the light began to grow dim for the
scarcity of oil in the lamp. Then she
prepared for rest, first thanking God for
her blessings and asking protection for
her husband on his journey and speedy
return on the morrow.
Quiet broeded over the house and its
inmates, over the little village near which
they lived and over the tavern where the
father lay, twenty miles away. But not
for long. The rising winds, which had
made themselves heard fitfully, now
grew furious. They reveled in the open
stretch of country around the Wilkins
farm, which stood on the edge Of the
village, and chased each other across
meadows whose crusted snow cleaned
when the clouds wertROlown for a mo-
ment from the face of the moon. Soon
more flakes began to fall, and, what with
the wind and the smooth surface of the
snow already fallen, were blown and
whirled violently about until they threat
ened to hide some landmarks completely.
Mr.. Wilkins little house came in for
a share Of the drifts. 1t was low and
white and square. Like many houses in
rural New England, its rear door opened
into a shed, behind which were the barn
and outhouse9, so that in case of storms
the live stock could be easily reached.
The snow played very queer pranks with
the house that night. 1t left the roof al
most bare, while It piled drift in front
which hid all but one corner of the win
dow. 1t drifted against the barn door
; and hid the shed completely. Fortunate
" the well was under the shed roof and
out going out,
When Mrs. Wilkins awoke, her first
thought was of the night before and her
f0rebodings of storm. She tried to
look out, but the snow covered every.
thing. Much frightened, she climbed to
the loft Of the one story house. Looking
from the window, she perceived that not
person could be seen. The roads were
piled with great white drifts, and the
, only house in sight. also a low one, was
partially covered. Over ali the sun was
shining brightly. She saw at a glance
! that sleigh could not get through the
roads on that day and possibly not on
the next. Then she went down and
| awoke the children.
whats the matter, mother? said
, Bob.
"Matter enough" replied sdrs Will
| kins. 1--WE are showed in, and father
can't get home today"
| At this little Elsie showed signs OF
| crying, and her mother hastened to say
"But We'll have Thanksgivin' when he
does come, Elsie. P'r'aps he'll come to
morrer. See"
She got up, took the child to the win
dow where the world was visible from
one of the upper panes, and held her up
! 1.-THE suns shinin' as nice as cans be-
| Thatll melt all the snow soon, and then
We'll see father an old Bess comm down
the road with lots o good things"
This diverted Elsie, and she chattered
/ gayly while her mother dressed her,
Bob meantime climbed up and looked out
of the small peep hole left by the snow.
''There amt any people passing by
mother" he announced
"No, nor won't be-" she replied, ''noi
till the SHOWS melted pretty consider
able"
"What will we have to eat, mother7''
he inquired.
"There's plenty o things in thehouse, +"
she said. ''We sha'nt starve. Don't ye
be afraid o that, Bob"
After their breakfast of fried pork and
! Johnny cake she went to feed the chick
ems. The children followed her, for it
seemed "kind O lonesome" as Bob said.
No one passed all day. The sun shone
out warm and bright, and, though they
could not perceive it, was doing slowly
but surely its good work for them. Bot
looked out of the one pane of glass sc
long that he was tired. And it was nc
wonder, for he had to stand on tiptoe on
the window sill to see out at oil.