The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-11-26

Ut !E n
THE FIRST MAN HE MET WAS TIE MIN
IsTER.
and the scene within was plainly in
view. Harry was evidently better, for
he sat in large chair by the fire. Mr..
Holden noticed the pale face and hollow
eyes, which somehow affected him un-
pleasantly. The little sister was evil
IDENTIFY sick yet, as the physician held a
white hand in his own.
Mr.. Holden rushed on and the first
man be met was the minister. Good
evening. Brother Holden" he said. in
such pleasant voice that no one would
think that he was in need of any thing.
He reached out his hand, and Mr.. Hol-
den thought it felt a little cold, and as
the sleeve of the minister's coat brushed
against his hand it did feel very thin
and threadbare. And then he noticed
that the good pastor had no overcoat on.
Strange that he never thought to notice
such things before.
| Mr.. Holden got away from his min
lister as soon as possible and did the
business that called him to the town.
1t was all done in mechanical way,
like man walking in his dreams.
He went home at last and took out
| the evening papers to read, and never
once looked toward his wife. He turned
over the paper several times and seemed
| to read and then he threw it aside and
retired to rest.
He was very restless that night, but
no one ever knew just what his thoughts
were, if he thought at all,
| Thanksgiving morning came, clear
and beautiful, and Mr. Holden was up
in good season. He appeared troubled
and yet spoke very kindly to his wife,
as though he had forgotten the sharp,
accusing words that she had spoken SO
boldly tho evening before. The family
came together for prayer, for Mr..
Holden always had maintained the
sacred service. He prayed and so did
| the good vile. and then as tho hired
man went out to finish up the chores,
Mr.. Holden spoke:
II think that you were right about
giving more to the Lord, and after
thinking the matter over | have con.
cluded to begin this Thanksgiving
morning to give more literally than we
have done in the past. Here are five
dollars for the collection and five dol
lars for our pastor as gift. Remembe Der
it is not to be applied upon his salary.
/ am going to purchase him a good,
warm overcoat to-day also, and then
| will increase the amount toward the
payment of his salary. You may ar.
range that just as you please. wife,
about Mrs. Deans potatoes. Send her
as many as you wish, and also two bar
rels of those pippins; Dick knows where
they are; and tell him to carry two bar.
rels down to the minister's and ten
bushels of potatoes, as shall have to
keep my engagement about delivering
the cows. You can send Mrs. Dean a
quarter of that beef, if you want to-
was going to let the minister have II
upoh the salary, but will pay him the
money. Here is another dollar for Harry
Dean. Tell him it is the interest upon
what have been owing him so long.
Go down and see the family yourself
Susan. We can not have real Thanks
giving dinner but we will have whole
day of giving thanks in a practical way.
Yes, you were right, wife. ] see how il
is now and will try and Go my full duty
/ must go now, but will attend the
service this evening at church. Good
bye, wife," and then Mr.. Holden went
out.
A grateful look came over the wife's
face, and then the glad tears filled hel
eyes, and she retired to the secret place
of prayer to offer thanksgiving to the
great Giver of good.
A happy Thanksgiving was passed II
the old farmhouse that day, and some
others were made very happy also BY
the change that transformed worldly,
money-loving soul to one filled with the
true spirit of love and benevolence. IS.
s. Times