Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-11-22

in her coarse brown cloak and blue hood
sweeping the doorstep and picking up
sticks in the yard for the fire, she said.
So the day wore on, and when the
early winter evening closed in upon
them, they had their simple supper of
bread, mush and milk, and soon the lit
tie ones were asleep.
AS Mrs. Wilkins sat sewing she heard
the wind rising, and went to the window
to look out. The moon was partly Gov
cred by threatening clouds, While she
watched they obscured the silver light
completely
sit 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 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 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
40 81
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
ly 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
person could be seen. The roads were
piled with great white drifts, and the
only house in sight, also 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.
whats the matter. mother?' said
Bob.
"Matter enough" replied Mrs. 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 fastened to say
"But we'll have Thanksgivin' when he
does come, Elsie. Pr'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
"The suns shinin' as nice as can be-
That'll 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 chartered
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, mot
till the SHOWS melted pretty consider
able"
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