The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-11-28

to look out. The moon was partly COW
cred by threatening clouds. While she
watched they obscured the silver light
completely.
at looks mighty threatenin'," she said
to herself. 81 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' to bring 'em. | 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 un-
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 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 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
share of the drifts. 1t was low and
white and square. Like many houses in
rural New England, its rear door opened
into 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 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
| the chicken house could be reached with
out going out.
When Mrs. Wilkins awoke, her first
thought was of the night before and hel
forebodings of storm. She tried tc
look out, but the snow covered every
thing. Much frightened, she climbed tt
the loft of the one story house. Looking
from the window, she perceived that moi
a person could be seen. The roads were
piled with great white drifts, and the
only house in sight, also a low one, wa'
partially covered. Over all the sun wa
shining brightly. She saw at a glance
that sleigh could not get through th'
roads on that day and possibly not OF
the next. Then she went down ant
awoke the children.
.'What's the matter, mother! salt
Bob.
sMatter enough" replied Mrs. VIII
kins, .We are showed in, and fathe
can't get home today"
At this little Elsie showed signs o
CRYING. and her mother fastened to say
"But we'll have Thanksgivin' when h
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 iron
one of the upper panes, and held her up
s.The suns shinin' as nice as can be
That'll melt all the snow soon, and the
we'll see father an old Bess comm dow
the road with lots o good things"
This diverted Elsie, and she chattere
gayly while her mother dressed hel
Bob meantime climbed up and looked ou
of the small peep hole left by the snow.
"There amt any people passing by
mother" he announced.
mo, nor won't be" she replied, "ne
till the SHOWS melted pretty conside,
able"
"What will we have to eat, mother'
he inquired.
eThere's plenty o things in the house,
she said. "We sha'nt starve. Don't y
be afraid o that, Bob"
After their breakfast of fried pork an
Johnny cake she went to feed the chicl
ems. The children followed her, for
seemed .kind o lonesome" as Bob SAT-
| No one passed all day. The sun shor
out warm and bright, and, though the
could not perceive it, was doing slow
but surely its good work for them. BC
looked out of the one pane of glass
long that he was tired. And it was l
, wonder, for he had to stand on tiptoe {
the window sill to see out at all.
So the day wore on. When the ch
dren fretted their good mother talk
about what father would bring, and no
sure she was that he would come on Il