Mohave County miner., 1890-11-22

4
Mrs. Saybrook's arm stole about lIttle
Willie and Mrs. Hutchins said very gently;
81 expect folks each has their special
| troubles. ! can't but remember't when
Josiah died and left me nigh about helpless
with hip trouble-and a young babe, too.
1t did seem as though nobody ever had, or
could have, no afiiction like mine; but
some how got along, and found that
there was others quite as bad OF a, was,
and the Lord helps the lame and the
poor" and q smile and tear together set
their bright seal 10 her concession OF faith
"Wellln said Mrs. Peck, with an audible
sniff and hard voice. ~ didn't think I
was the worst on that ever was when Peck
died. He was a drinkin' man. I didn't
know nothin' Of IL when wo was married.
He had the tremens three times, and died
ont; and went out a-sewin', to keep body
and soul together. could have taken care
Of myself Of my eyes hadn't ha' give out a
spell ago."
Mrs. Saybrook regarded her with In
finite pity.
''You don't none Of ye hev Jest my trial, -
said Aunt Hannah Bromheid. "Tora Brom.
field was fust mate TO a whalin' ship when
we were married MyisakesI how lively
he was. He had money, too. We was real
well Of Twas kinder harrowin' to hev
him up an OF for three years voyage
right away, and then he didn't stay home
no time when he did come; but had twins
for 10 show him when he come back fust,
and you never see man so pleased Well,
them boys was company for me- you'd
better believe. They was always A-talkin'
about pa, an where he went TO, and what
he did, and a-tellin' about whales and har.
pooners, and he'd their little ships a-sailin'
In the pools. II makes me laugh now to
think Of their tricks" And Aunt Hannah
drew her red silk handkerchief across her
eyes, not as II she were laughing.
"The fust I knowed, my boys were
eighteen years old. and they hadn't seen
their pa more'n six times; but he came
back then, and there they was, as likely
men as you'd see; and be had money In the
bank, and he and John Stims they dubbed
and built whsler o. their own. and Tom
was cap'en and John fust mate, and nothin'
would do but them boys must go along fust
voyage. Well, it's thirty years ago. I'm
past IS now; but don't like to talk ont
The upshot is, sea and waves roarin' day
an night, night an day; winds s-blowin'
and tempest howlin'. and no more boys,
nor husband, nor nOthin', and here be.
don't know 80 much as where their bones
do lie, nor haven't these thirty years"
There was a dead silence. Nobody felt
like breaking Il; but little Ray, who had
listened, with her sweet blue eyes wide
opened and her lips apart, put both her
arms around Aunt Hannah's neck, and,
with child's quick wisdom, gave her a re-
sounding kiss
.'That done me real good, dearie,f' she
said 81 KEEP school for children twenty
odd year. dom know but what should
ha' died but for them. Wasn't IT work,
now, tell ye; but hain't got nothin' 70
wait for now-only for the sea 10 give 'em
up, and that's pretty fur ahead"
The others said nothing. Doubtless,
they too had their sorrows, but they would
sound tame after Aunt Hannah's recital.
When dinner was over they gathered about
the drawlng-room fire, and tea was served.
Soon afterward the carriage took them
away In relays, and Harriet Saybrook sat
down In the library and hid her face in her
hands
What had she 10 be thankful fort Liv.
ing. affectionate children, long sweet
memory Of love and care layished on her
Of complete happiness, an ample provision
left--not only for her needs, but her COM
forts. How terribly ungrateful, how un-
thinking, how sinful she had been. Only
one cry could burst from her lips: ~ do
thank Theel Lord, be merciful TO me, a
sinner"
And neither she nor her guests Of that
occasion ever forgot her first, but not her
last, "Widow's Thanksgiving Festival"