Nevada County picayune., 1891-11-26

uer1ul brand new coal stove that was both parlor and cooking stove in one "a recent acquisition and one they had not yet ceased admiring. IL would do most remarkable things in the way of cooking. It possessed hidden and marvellous resources, and above it's adaptation to the needs of housekeeping it had most digni- fled and at the same time cheerful exterior It was great delight. So one end of the humble room meant work-steady, hard, nerve-trying work the other meant rest and re- taxation, or, as Ned said, "a good time" No wonder that he liked to get his mother over the line that di- vided these two sections.
 On this special day he, had been particularly trying" He seemed to develop a new and alarming fac ulty in devising cunning mischiefs, but he had finally exhausted himself When Ruth turned from one kind of work to begin the process of picking 1 up and arranging the fragment 1 strewn room, she found the restless little fellow curled up in a little heap on the braided rug before the stove, where, with the long suffering kitty in close embrace, he had fallen asleep. Tenderly she raised him and kissed the rosy cheek and sun ny. curly hair. Yes, she had some- thing to give thanks for. Out of her sea of sorrow she had saved this pearl.
 She didn't like holidays, and above all she had an unconquerable aver sion to Thanksgiving day. Not from ingratituGe, for she was devout and thankful woman; but because the chief sorrows of her life had happen ed-if anything ever really happens -on the day set apart by the author ity of the land for good cheer and gratitude,
 She thought about it as she pro- ceeded 10 make preparations for ob- serving the day in a fashion that should meet Ned's approval. She had followed father and mother to their graves on long.past Thanks giving day; she had quarreled with and parted from the only man she had ever truly loved on that gala day of the year; she had married James Gray, when, the next year, the songs of thanksgiving and praise came from grateful hearts. She dreaded each return of the day, fear ing lest 1t should bring her some new sorrow. She looked at the flushed cheeks of her little boy with q >hatp pain. What if she were to lose her only delight and joy on h ' fateful day! But when he opened his eyes and declared himself as hun gry as a bear her fears vanished.
 ''I say, mamma" he cried, "let's begin Thanksgiving tonight. Let's have nice supper. I'm so hungry Then let's have some popcorn and he paused as if trying to originate some new dissipation-'let's make some candy. You know, mamma, we haven't made any on the new stove yet, and maybe we cant dc that. I'm so tired of not doing any thing nice-ain't you!"
 "Yes, dear, I'm more tired than l can tell, i" and sudden tears dimmed her eyes.
 "Don't cry; oh, don't cry, nam ma! Please don't. l really think, added the wise little fellow, that you need little more fun-don' you"'
 II think 1 do. You are wiser than you know, my dear"
 Then let's have some molasses candy"
 Ruth laughed at the child's logic She needed fun" therefore she needed molasses candy. Then she resolved that the dear child who found his sunshine or shade in her eyes should have his "fun," though memories heavy and dark were thronging upon her. So they made a jolly supper. The wonderful stove baked the sweet potatoes to d turn, they made no demand upon it to which it did not respond.
 Then the lamp shone with unusual brilliance mamma had brushed her pretty hair till the little sunny rings lay all around the fair, white fore, head, and she had, just to pleas, Ned, put on the pretty cardina Mrnnner- and Nod declared thers