Telegram-herald., 1889-11-28

! 70 herself II should feel real bad if pa
couldn't git back for Thanksgivin', for
the children has set so much store by
what he's goin' 10 bring EN-. l wouldn't
I 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 un-
I'll 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 a speedy
return on the morrow.
| Quiet brOOded 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 ftfully, 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 were blown for a mo-
ment from the face Of the moon. Soon
more flakes began 10 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 70 hide some landmarks completely.
4 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 Outhouses, 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 a drift in front
which hid all but one corner Of the win
dow. Ii drifted against the barn door
and hid the shed completely. Fortunate
" the well was under the shed roof and
the chicken house could be reached with
out going out.
When Mrs. wilkins awoke, her first
thought was of the night before and her
forebOdings of a 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
a 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 all the sun was
shining brightly. She saw at glance
that a sleigh could not get through the
roads on that day and possibly not on
the next. Then she went down and
awoke the children.
What's the matter, mother" said
Bob.
Matter enough" replied Mrs. Viii
kins. 1--WE are showed in, and father
can't get home today
At this little Elsie showed signs Of
crying. and her mother fastened to say.
"But well have a Thanksgivin' when he
docs come. Elsie. P'raps 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.
The suns shinin as nice as can be.
Thatll melt all che snow soon. and then
we1l see father an Old Bess comm down
the road with lots O. good things"
This diverted Elsie. and she chattered
gaYly while Der mother dressed he
Bob meantime climbed MP 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. "not
tin the SHOWS melted pretty consider
able"
what viii We have to eat. mother7"
he inquired.
There's plenty O. things in the house, =
she said I've sha' mt starve Don't ye
be afraid O. that. Bob.
After their breakfast - fried pork ard
johnny cake she went to feed the chick
ems. Inc children followed her for it
seemed Kind O. lonesome. " as Boo sail.
No one passed an DAY. The sun shone
ont warm and bright. and though they
could not perceive it. was doing slowly
bur surely IFS good work for them. Bob
looksi out - the ora pane ~ glass 80
long that he was tired And IL vas no
wonder. f1r he had to Stand on tiptoe On
the window su 90 ere out ~ an
So the 5av wore on. When the chil-
drsn frsttei their recd mother talked
atouf shat father would hrine aal bow
vsre she wss that he woBli come en tIe
next dsv-tha dav of their great feast
itzeif She rasn AZ a1 surs vhen sae
arsf saii e. nut tas waa her say af
keuiag her own haprs ap. ana rha snr-
cee.lei so sell fhaf she airaaf believed
taey veu.a ses ait H.ss ssa tas sleigh
4 Tllan fset~inz aanrninr