The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1890-11-20
Ing her that she ought to be as grateful


you have been prospercd, and I was
thinking" and here Mrs. Holden
stopped
"fhinking Of whatT the husband
asked, with the pleased look little
faded, or not quite 80 apparent as at
first.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, you
know, Solomon" and then she stopped
again.
"Yes, so 1t Is, wife," he said, conde-
scendingly, and another smile came
over his face. II had almost forgotten
it; however, we ought to have had q
Thanksgiving dinner, wife, and, IL l
had thought Of it in time, we would have
had"
Mr. Holden then began to reflect and
after few moments he began again;
1.-THE potato crop has been a perfect
failure everywhere almost, because it
has been such a wet season, but was
wise enough to plant that new piece of
ground upon the hill. l never had a
better yield, and can count upon eight
hundred bushels at least. The cellar
Is too full for convenience and I have
got to get rid OF some of them. They
are fifty cents now, but ! am certain
they will be dollar before spring, but
l shall be obliged to dispose of some of
them in order to make room for my APP
pies that are still in tho barn. 1t is
getting most too cold to keep them there
any longer, and 1 should hate to have
my nice greetings and pippins freeze
/ have been very lucky about my apples
also, for my orchard happens to be so
well sheltered By woods upon each side
that the severe east wind did not blight
the fruit. have already sold fifty bar
rels and have the cash in my pocket,
and might, suppose, sell fifty moro
and then have plenty left. Then you
| ought to see the corn, wife, for it is
| sight. That four weeks of pleasant
weather that came in September just
saved my corn crop. My two cribs are
| full and there is largo quantity still
| upon the lower barn floor. shall not
have to buy pound of feed for my cat
tie next spring, and that is something
| unusual"
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving" Mrs.
Holden said, a little more firmly, land
1t seems to me we ought to remember
some of our poor neighbors that have
not been so fortunate as we have been.
Then there will be collection taken
tomorrow at church that will be given
to those who have suffered from various
calamities the present season. You
know that they have been very numer-
GUS and severe, Solomon"
Mr.. Holden looked very much sur
prised at his wifes boldness in thus
suggesting to him his duty, for he was
a man that prided himself upon being
very faithful in the discharge Of all
moral and religious duties and obliga-
tions. He was surprised also to see how
earnestly and boldly she appeared about
tho matter, for usually she was very
quiet and timid when she asked for any
favor.
| But Mr.. Holden was in a frame of
mind to bear good deal, and so he an
swered, pleasantly:
"Yes, VIC will try to do our duty, and
as can not attend church tomorrow as
| have to deliver those five cows to
Butcher Dean, will give you some
money for the collection" and then the
farmer took his well-flled pocket book
and began to look over the contents.
He unrolled some bills, and after look
ing them over two or three times he
handed his wife a single dollar bill.
She received 1t silently, and after
awhile she spoke again:
"Our pastor needs his pay, Solomon.
l have been informed that he is really
destitute and in need of many things.
His clothes look very threadbare and
worn, although his wife evidently tries
to make them look nicely. And then
| there is poor Widow Dean and her
| two sick children, who have been very
near deaths door. You know, Solomon,
that she has to work out by the day to
support her little family. and now for
three weeks she has been kept with
them, don't see how she has got along.
Can we not help her in some way? You
know that she is a worthy member Of
our own church."
| At this the pleased look" resting
upon Holdens face was nearly all gone
and he began to wear an unpleasant ex-
preston. His wife was getting very
| bold.
| II have already given five dollars
upon the pastors salary, and l expect
to give five more; that is as much as l
have been in the habit of giving. l can
pay 1T now, however, If he needs it. and
as TO Mrs. Dean. they all ought to give
her little If she is really suffering. You
may send Dick, the hired man, down
there with bushel of potatoes in the
morning, and that makes mo think !
am owing her boy Harry half-dollar
for picking up potatoes two days. l
don't see how came to forget it. Here,
take 1t, and send that, too, or may for
get it again and as Mr.. Holden said
this he arose to go to the town that was
only short distance from the old farm
house.
"Wait moment, Solomon Holden"
exclaimed the wife, starting step in
advance until she stood in front of her
husband. Listen to me; shall have
a voice in this matter, for / helped you
to get this large farm and the money
and bonds in the bank that you call
yours. They are just as much mine as
they are yours, and l shall claim the
right to give some portion of them to
the Lord. Are you not ashamed to
speak Of giving our worthy pastor the
paltry sum of ten dollars? 1t ought to
be hundred If you pay as do some of
our poor members. There is Franklin,
who works for every cent he has to sup
port his wife and three children; and
yet he gives fifteen dollars yearly to-
ward the pastors support And then it
| Ia n shama tn send "A husha1 of pntatOas