The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-11-23
A SAD THANKSGIVING.

II was brief message that the smart
looking telegraph boy delivered at tho
coy house on cleveland avenue. but 1t
was freighted with o world of happiness
for little Mrs. Harris, to whom 1t was
addressed:
LIVERPOOL. Nov. 14.-Home Thanks
giving. WILL.
Mrs. Harris read and reread the pre-
oious line.
Dear Will, how thoughtful of him to
cable! And 1t is nearly two weeks ear
lier than he expected to get through.
SEQ, Dorothy, papa is coming back to US
again"
Dorothy dropped her dolly and pat
tered across the floor to her mothers
side.
aPapoo, deer" she lisped.
yes, honey, papa dear is coming
home. Won't he be surprised to SEQ
how big you have grown, and what a
good girl you are, and how many new
words you can sayp He will be prouder
than ever OF his little girl"
"Uh-huh," asserted Dorothy with the
supreme confidence of her two years. as
her mother tenderly swept her hand
over the little ones glorious tangle Of
golden curls. "Papoo tum too mamma,
Dzak, Dawsy.
"Yes, darling, papa will come and SEQ
mamma and Jack and Dorothy. Brother
will be home from school presently and
he will be glad, too, when he knows papa
Is coming SO soon.
Mrs. Harris counted the days after the
receipt of the cable. She knew that it
would take about ten days for the ocean
trip at that season OF the yoar, and she
feared littlo for the safety OF their
loved one on tho treacherous bosom Of
the great ocean. Sturdy little Jack
was his mother comforter through the
days that dragged slowly on, and each
night mamma and Jack and Dorothy
knelt at the side OF Jacks bed and
united In a fervent plea to the Good
Father to watch over their dear one and
bring him safely home.
A week passed without special incl
dent There was something done In
the way of preparation of the Thanks
giving dinner, which had been "a feature
with them over since they were mar
rled. Mrs. Harris came Of good old
New England stock, and the Indian
buildings, and mince pies, and "crullers"
that invariably formed part Of this
meal were always prepared by her own
hands. Her husband insisted that no
one else could make them taste SO
good.
The Thursday before Thanksgiving
when little Jack came homo from school
his cheeks were flushed and he COM
planned Of his throat. Mrs. Harris, who
never liked to take any chances, called
tho family physician, who sal that it
was nothing serious, though 1t should
be carefully watched. The next morn
Ing Jack was worse-fnuch worse-and
that night was very bad indeed. When
the doctor came he brought another
with him, and their verdict struck a
chill to the heart of the little mother.
My dear madam" said the old doc
tor, kindly, your boy has dlphtheria OF
the most malignant character. We
will do all In our power for him, but we
gravely fear for the result. In the
meantime the little girl must be kept in
another part OF the house"
Dorothy was bani5hed TO the upper
floor, and Mrs. Harris sent for her Sis
ter TO help her. Together they watched
over the pillow upon which Jacks curly
head tossed, and together they prayed.
All, the terror OF those nights; the hopes
and fears that alternatod In the bosom
OF that fond mother; the prayers that
went up from the depths or that gentle
woman's soul for tho preservation OF
the life OF her boy. "Oh. God, spare
him to u.s." she pleaded; "let him live to
glorify Thy name and bless Thee In tho
days when he ehall have arrived at
mans estate. Take him not from US,
we pray Thee; heal his sickness and re-
store him whole to the arms OF those
who wait for him. Yet, IL he must die,
oh, our Father, We pray that he may be
permitted to live to see his earthly
ather once more"
so she duplicated for the life OF her
hrst-born, and when che rose from her
knees great beads OF sweat were on her
forehead. Her eyes were dry and hot.
She stepped lightly 10 the side OF Jack s
bod. He had not stirred. His lips,
parched by the fever's horrid heat, were
swollen and cracked. His face had lost
the brilliant flush IL first bore, and was
taking on the darker shade that tells
the trained physician that hope is gone.
%, why cannot Will be here 10 bear
tbs with me2 Must our little one 20
before he comesp Heavenly Father
hasten him on his way" Who can
measure that poor mothers agony.
while tho light has faded from loving,
sunny eyes. and tiny hands dropped
nervelcss upon q breathless bosom.
Mondays papers noted the arrival at
New York of Wills steamer, and IL
there was no delay on tho way he m ght
get home In time. That night Dorothy
exhibited some unfavcrable symptoms,
AMI by Tuesday mornn was In the