Oakes weekly Republican. (Oakes, Dickey County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1898, 1889-11-29

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
tic ones We're asleep.
| AS Mrs. Wilkins sat sewing, she heard
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 threatenin'," she said
to herself. II should feel real bad if pa
couldn't git back for Thanksgivin', for
the children has SGT so much store by
what he's coin to brin!s 'em. l wouldn't
feel right good myself. We've eat our
Thanl:s,ivin' 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 holnely thoughts ran on I'M
til t,.e 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 mss
for long. The rising Winds which had
IL ~, ,,11
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 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
r 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
f most bare, while it piled drift in front
8 which hid all but one corner of the win
8 dow. 1t drifted against the barn doc,
and hid the shed completely. Fortunate
g ly the we'll was under the shed roof anc
y the chicken house could be reached with
r out going out.
n When Mrs. Wilkins awoke, her frs
e thought was of the night before and hel
Y forebodings of a storm. She tried tx
look out, but the snow covered every
n thing. Much frightened, she climbed t.
O the loft Of the one story house. Looking
: from the window, she perceived that no
person could be seen: The roads wer
I piled with great white drifts, and tn
l. only house in sight, also a low one, wa
I partially covered. Over all the sun wa
,. shining brightly. She saw at glanc
!! that sleigh could not get through til
le roads on that day and possibly not O
If the next. Then she went down an
,r awoke the children.
"What's the matter, mother?" sal
le Bob.
le 'sMatter enough" replied Mrs. Wi
Is kins. 'sWe are showed in, and fathe
s. can't get home today"
Sc At this little Elsie showed signs {
[y crying, and her mother fastened to say
;, 'But We'll have q T.:anksgivin when h
10 does come, Elsie. P'r'aps he'll come tt
al morrer. See."
g She got up, took the child to the wiz
d, dow where the world was visible frol
a. one Of the upper panes, and held her III
le 'The suns shinin' as nice as can b'
So ThatlI melt all the snow soon, and the
ie we'll see father an old Bess comm dow
We the road with lots O good things
in This diverted Elsie, and she chatterc
d. gayly while her mother dressed he
D. Bob meantime climbed up and looked OF
,r- Of the small peep hole left by the snow
.e- "lhere amt any people passing b,
re mother" he announced.
l,5 "s., sg2r vgl4'& los. she reE.iGa ''9'
al tiil tha f3rp'S IGtltat .,TgCs. 5.,i!GJt;G