The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1892-12-02

She liked KDel's wife, Samantha, but
imagined that her brother was some
what neglected, and rather worried
Samanthasby making up for the lat
ter's Deficiencies in the care of her
brother. That she should be deemed
a. burden never occurred to her simple
mind. It was just two years after the
death OF her aged husband that Aunt
Polly discovered that she was not q
necessity in Abel's household. The
awakening came about in this way:
1t was the eve before Thanksgiving,
and Aunt Polly retired early as usual.
After she had retired, she remembered
g. surprise in the way of cookery
which she was preparing for Abel and
she said to- herself. II will jest slip
down cellar and tend to it,"
While there Abel and Samantha
entered the room above, and Aunt
Polly heard Samantha ask him where
he got money to buy certain articles.
j "Waal," drawled Abel, ri got the
money from the county to pay for
Polly's keep. Pm q poor man, Sa-
mantha, and hardly able to carry the
burdens of my own family"
i "Abel Barker" exclaimed Saman-
tina, Chow long has this been going
on? It's wonder you did not send
her to the poor-house; it would be
cheaper than boarding her for what
the county allows" she added sar-
castically.
Poor Aunt Polly! she heard no
oaore. She says she was amazin'
strong and never tainted in her life,
but she got sick and lay all in a heap
On the cellar floor, and when she got
her senses she was almost too weak
and cold to crawl up to bed. Once
there she fell to wondering what she
had to be thankful for this year.
Even the year Uncle Jed died, Aunt
Polly had, been able to count her bless
ings, for had not Uncle Jed "been
prepared?" and then the suffering he
was at last freed from-were these not
to be counted as mercies?
"God has forsaken me-" wept the
old lady. She had felt very strong
before tonight, quite able to go out
nursing to earn her own living if need
be. She had spun as many knots OF
yarn in day as Samantha who was
twenty years younger than herself,
but she felt very feeble now, for if she
were not poor, helpless old lady,
why was she on the county, a COM
mon pauper?
For the first time since she came to
| Abel's house she failed to rise for
breakfast. When Samantha went to
Aunt Polly's room she was surprised
to see the haggard old face and tear
full eyes that were raised to hers.
Something prompted matter of-fact
Samantha to stoop and kiss her sister
in-law. Now that kiss warmed Aunt
Polly's old heart. 81 hev somethin'
tew be thankful for" she sobbed on
Samantha's shoulder. Sleigh bells
come jingling up to the door, but
Aunt Polly heeds them not. A strong
young voice in the kitchen calls,
"Aunt Polly, mother, where are your"
Aunt Polly was strong now. It is
FIVE years since she heard that voice,
but she can never be mistaken. "Tm
comm Doug" she cried. She told
Doug afterwards that she was near
comm in her old flannel gown an
would but for Samantha. y
II have a surprise for you mother"
said Doug, as soon as the first greet,
ing was over. Then he commented
unwrapping the bundle he had pre-
viously deposited on a chair that he
might embrace Aunt Polly. After re-
moving yards of scarf he disclosed to
Aunt PQlly's astonished eyes, a COM
plete miniature Of himself as he look
ed when Aunt Polly began her reign
at the old red farmhouse: *.
'"The poor little lad has no mother,
Aunt Polly" said Doug. "You have
been as q mother to Abel here, and
you've been mother to me and /
have faith that your heart is large
enough e taRe this little fellow in. I
lefcy," continued Doug, 'sthat this
little looks about as I did when father
used to fetch me here to help him with
his wooing. When my wife died I de-
termined to come home. find l am
too late to see father, and the old
home is Lewis, but only until I can
send for the purchase money when it
| will be mime and yours, Aunt Polly
How little Jed nestled up to Aunt
Polly's motherly bosom! What a
Jolly thanksgiving Cney ulO nave, only
Abel seemed depressed and not even
the appearance OF Ruth's new baby
had any celebrating effect upon his
spirits.
II hev SO much few be thankful
for" sighed Aunt Polly as she Rugged
little Jed to her heart. Aunt Polly
lived to see little Jed q big boy, ano
folks do say she spoiled him dreadful
ly, but she and Doug were satisfied
Doug inaugurated a new style OF barr
raising in which liquor had no part
The neighbors said it was not on &C
count of his being near, but he kinde1
hated to have little Jed get taste o
the rum.
r Flag OF Truce.
It would be hard to find NOR
amusing instance of the beggard con
: dition in which soldiers Of the ielt
! are sometimes found than that give
| So n n