Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-02

lion acted on the liver and the dock worked
IN the blood. She spoke anxiously and
offered TO steep these herbs, for she wanted
TO conciliate her husbands aunt
But long before the turkey was ready TO
put on the table IL became evident that
Mrs Frler was not going to be conciliated.
Sne ulu not agree to anything there was
SAID, rot even when Samuel openly con-
tradlcted himself SO that he might think
as she did. Then she gave him such a
look that Samuel grew red and wished that
there was still another way for him TO saw
ne thought Finally he sought refuge by
gong TO the barn to see to mis- horse with
such extreme frequency that his aunt at
last suggested that if his horse was sick he
might bette send for a horse doctor ana
be done with it
me Gleesons always remembered that
gay. FOR long time they counted different
happenings as being SO long before or after
that last Thanksgiving we spent AT Aunt
Susahhah s. BY the time dinner was
ready every Gleeson in the house most
earnestly wished himself and herself at
nome The turkey was put before Samuel.
and he was about to offer a short praver
as he had done in that same place every
Thanksgiving for several years He had
lowered his head, and folded his hands
across his waistcoat, in his usual attitude
While addressing his Maker, when his
hostess. with considerable asperity told
MIN that she guessed they'd git long with
out no blessin' that day. and he might Is
well begin TO cut up that bird"
This remark fell with a paralyzng effect
upon the group at the table But. being
hungry, they all rallied. and passed their
plate promptly. All but Mrs. Frier who
was noticeably pale, save that her cheeks
were very red. She leaned back in her
chair. and looked about her with what Mrs
Gleeson, who was afterward fond of de-
scriblng this scene, called "a kinder wild
look. Then she said that If she should
take bit of that turkey il would choke
her. She spoke quickly and loudly The
next moment she pushed back from the
table, and asked what time they had din
ner to the poo.house."
Without waiting for any reply, she went
into the l. room, and took the old shawl
that she was in the habit of wearing when
head.
By the time she had done this. Samuel
and his wife were also in the L, asking
where she was going. and Sam said he
would harness right up and take her
No, you won't take me-" she answered
Ana she went out at the door, and started
up across the field which Hosy always call
ed his door yard
Mrs. Sam called after TO know ~ she chad
got on her rubbers," but there was no re-
ply.
AS Mrs. Frier hurried up the sodden mas
ture the man and woman turned and
Aunt Susannah's high soprano ON the
words
Now hail the strength Of Israers might,
And crown Him Lord of ALL
I'VE can't do nothin'," said Samuel ..She
always would do ies she was a mind to-"
The woman walking among the sumacs
and the sweet-ferns did not continue her
song long: She needed her breath for her
quick walking.
She had taken the shortest way and a
little more than half an hour later she
came out in small plantation of birches
from from whlch could be seen, standing on a
Ionely road, large implanted building
Mrs. Frier did not hesitate She climbed
the fence, and walked, with her head
somewhat upreared, in at the back door,
and directly toward a room where she
heard the sound of voices
she opened this door, and saw a long
table at which people sat eating. At the
emo Oh the room a man rose, trembling
vislbly as he did so. He was tall and thin,
and stopped a good deal, having a feeble
appearance. He stood an instant holding
on to the back of his chair Everybody
was gazing at this abruptly entering Wis
itor.
Il came for my husband" said Mrs.
F'rier loudly. Hes been here long enough.
l want him to come home. L can't eat no
thanksgiving dinner 'thout him. Hosy is
that your =.
She took a wavering step toward the tail.
man. who sprang forward more Quickly
than he had moved for years His wife nut
her arms about him. and then tainted dead
away.
People said that faint was the beginning
OF the typhoid fever which kept Mrs Frier
on her bed Tor weeks after. But perhaps
ue ieNer began even before the Swoon.
Hosy nursed his wife through the illness
W hen every one shook a gloomy head about
her he asserted that she would get well
shed got TO get We'll" he said, with a
strenuous pathos in his voice
1t seemed to him that she must not die
until he could tell her how many things he
mad learned since he had been away and
how he had longed to come home only he
knew she wouldn't want him.
He said he had got out of the habi of
spendin' money; m he hadn't had nothin'
to swap for so long that he didn't want to
swap nothin' any more"
When he was able to tell her this. with
tears in his melancholy. gentle brown ewes,
she turned her worn but now hopeful face
toward him.
Don't you say single thing like that
Hosy," she replied. You amt learned half
so much as / have i guess"-here she
smiled feebly-'I guess we'll have a Thanks
giving all to ourselves, m one the gov'nor
didn't appoint" she continued, looking at
him. "P'r'aps twas the chickadee" she
said. You know how You always liked
them birds. And I suppose the Lord soft
enet my heart or He sent the fever or.
wall. l can't understand it"
"Oh, Susannah." said Hosy I'VE Amt
called upon to understand it."