Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-28

nag parcel under his arm. When he and
his wife saw each other, both looked fright
ered, but they said nothing. She greeted
roster. and he spoke to Mrs. Emerson,
q comprehensive glance at the table. He
recognized their basket He begun un-
DONG the bundle he carried.
~ thought I'd bring you over q little
Inanksgfvtn," he said in an abashed but
sturdy manner. He looked defiantly at his
WE ana slowly unrolled the newspaper
una, 1nat ne had wrapped around the bundle.
Then he held ii up. There were three pies
enc set in another. Mrs Goodell made a
spring forward.
.. For the land sake. fatherr she cried
II You amt set the apple an the mince
pies right into the squashv'
hiram stood still and eyed the pies du-
niousiy. II declare I never thought about
IT'S jist as much as a man tnou,s- s.,a
his wife. so'0
She helped Mrs. Emerson set the MES 70
rights. The two men stood by and watched.
Foster Eme-son's nervous face. rrav-hea ~
ed and delicate-colored as a girls Vas
radiant His deep-set blue eyes were fun
or Delighted excitement; now and then the
muscles around them twitched. All at once
ne heard murmur Of voices in the sitting
room. and opened the door. Then he made
an exclamation. The others all looked
There stood Fanny Emerson and John Good
ell IN the middle of the floor. John had gone
to the Emersons' in the same way that his
father did. They had both gone up the road
past the Bemis house, then turned into a
lane, and struck OF across lots behind their
own, emerging from another lane Just
above the Lord house. into the high road
Fanny and John We're both blushing
When John saw his father and mother. he
looked abashed for a minute. then he
"Hullo! you here?" said he. I've been
making little call on Fanny"
He surveyed the table and the array Of
food swiftly. then he placed some chairs
CT Fnv hfxx.o <1f
they sat down. Presently the others did
also; 1t seemed like an ordinary neighborly
visit. By-and-by II was growing dusky
ana Mrs Emerson brought out the teapot
and the two families had supper together
1t was bright moonlight when the Goodeiis
went home. John walked on ahead whist
ing. and his father and mother followed
more slowly. Now they were alone to-
gether both felt somewhat stiff and embar-
raised. 1t was not until they were past the
Lord house that Hiram spoke.
amt told YOU what / told him I'd do.
have II" he queried.
NO. you amt"
WELL 1 told him I'd give him a lob cut
tin wood for me all winter. IL he wanted it
an'-I've bout made up NV mind ri huv
that woodland of him. He can part nav nm
his mortgage IL 1 do. The wood won't be
ready to cut on II for another ten year an
there's the taxes, but / dunno but I'd bet
ter"
Hiram's old face in the moonlight had at
once rueful and heroic expression.
well. mebbe you'd better" said his wife
with a sigh.
1t was quite late when they reached home
but late as 1t was. Jane Lord came over
again. She had a cup and she wanted to
borrow some yeast She did not sit down.
but she stood hesitating at the door. after
the cup was filled.
II want to know" said she. IF I see you
all goin' down the road to the Emersons.
this afternoon"
Mrs. Goodell drew herself up. She looked
quite frigtd and stately. Yes" she replied.
what Of it,"
"Oh. nothin'." Jane Lord looked injured
and c-estfallen. II list wondered IL did
see you"
John put on his coat again. and walked
home with Jane and carried the yeast She
did not allude to the Emersons again.
When he returned. he paused at his own
gate. and stood for q minute looking down
the road. 1t was like broad track of sill
yer In the moonlight 1t seemed to him as
IL all the Thanksgivings of his life would
lie down the road to the Emersons