Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-12-12
THE LOCKET.
BY ARAB.

Up the broad street rushed the
cutting November wind, sending
clouds of dust on before it, heralding
its approach, and warning the pc
destrian to turn his back in time to
avoid the binding drift.
In spite of cold and wind the
streets are well filled with shoppers,
people who have been to market to
provide for Thanksgiving Day, and
almost every one carries turkey,
which is to grace the festive board on
the morrow.
The city folks come to the farmer
for the largest share of their feast day
dinner, and the farmer goes to the
city grocer for his dainties, such as
nuts, raisins, etc.
Eben Stubs was staggering along
the market place under load of
groceries which he knew would de-
light the hearts of the younger
Stubbses, and also of his buXom
wife.
At last he reached his wagon,
which was drawn up against the
curb in side street, and deposited
his weighty burden in the rear of it.
Then stretching his arms, he let
out a vociferous "Whew!' which
spoke relief.
"Wall, now," he said to himself,
"if it don't beat all how Martha
knOw'd jist what to git to mex all
them children happy, and eff they
don't eat theyselfes sick it won't
be her fault. But l must be gitten
home, he said, as he clambered up to
the front seat and took up the reins.
"Git ep," he cried to the old roam
mare. AS happy as could be, he
drove along at a good gait, OCCASION
ally hurrying the mare along by a
loud "Git ep'' or touch of the
whip.
His home lay out on the Morgan
Pike, good ten miles from town, and,
as it was dusk when he started,
darkness overlook him before he
had traversed one-half the distance.
lie lit his pipe and had buttoned up
his coat and was about to give his
horse a fresh start when he heard a
noise behind him. Hastily turning
around he saw little urchin just
arising from under big comfort that
lay in the bed of the wagon.
"HellO! Wat yer doin' there"
he cried as he reached back and
seized the young scamp.
81 amt dom nothin' mister!' the
little lad faltered. 81 just clum inter
your Vaughn down town to take
rest, and l felt so good and warm un
der the blanket that / jest went tel
sleep. Oh, what'l mother think
when don't get home early" HI
sobbed and then started to cry.
Touched by the poor little fellows
story, the old farmer said: "Nevel
mind, my little man, you jest clint
up here with me, and if we dom
pass no Vaughn a goin' in, III tel
YOU on home and send you in OF
my Johns milk Vaughn about mid
night" n.s A fUt
Thus comforted, the ragged lac
climbed over onto the seat, and in 81
doing his little bare feet were seen by
Mr.. Stubs. - -
"What! Yer don't mean ter Say
yer amt got no shoes on? Here
boy, wrap, your feet and legs up il
thet comfort and put them 'neatl
this bar skim"
Having thus made the boy NOR
comfortable, Stubs murmured hal
aloud:
"Well, | swan, eff that don't bea
all. So cold tibet the thermometer
well nigh friz, and amt got no shoe
on"
whats yer name, lad >" he con
tinued.
"Willie Green" the boy answered
"Ain't yer pap got no better sens
than to let yer freeze ter death?"
"Father's dead, and mother aim
rot enough money to get me n,
shoes, so she always keeps me in tn
house. But today ! thought I'd 9