Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-02
THANKs0fvING STORY, DY ANNIE I
WILLIS.


v % drove of. 1t was /,
bright November morn
ing, two days before Thanksgiving. fol
which great occasion he was going e
town, twenty miles away, TO "do som,
tradin'."
He told the children, Bob and Elsie
that he would como back with lots o
things peanuts and raisins, and perhap,
some oranges, besides other eatablei
necessary for the Thanksgiving feast.
How the little ones shouted at thu
mention OF oranges, for you must know
that such dainties seldom fell to theil
share. Hard work, early and late, or
tho iittio farm, only sufficed to keep the
family plainly clothed and fed, and they
had very few luxuries.
As tho sleigh logged along the man
fell TO thinking Of the dear ones who
would watch for his return on the NOR
row.
'Fll give EN- good Thanksgivin' Z
can," he thought. There ain't no fam
lily that deserves 1t more. Wisht
could sell everything I've got with me.
Wouldn't make their eyes open. though.
Mebbe could buy 'em some figs. The
children's never seen any. An I'd git
Mirandy an egg beater. She amt never
had none."
The miles to town grew less as the
horse went on, and the influence of ths
brilliant winter day made Mr.. wilkins
happy NOT Gu much tocanco la ,yao s,,a
ceptible to natures beauty, but because
he thought: "If this here weather'll only
hold out, I'll be back early ter -morrer."
Mrs wilkins spent the day in getting
ready for the feast, with such material
as she had on hand. She killed the big
gest and plumpest chicken in the yard,
Bob looking on delightedly at the opera.
ton. Tender hearted Elsie ran into the
house and put her fingers in her ears, sc
that she could not hear tho poor chickis
cry" she said. Then there was rye
bread to make, and kind of "plain
sweet cake" the best they ever had
There were also dried apples and pump
kin pies to bake, the house to set in or
der and the chickens TO feed. Nine
year-old Bob and 6-year-old Elsie were
eager 10 "help mother" and while the
former fed old Red Top, the rooster, and
his family, the little girl trotted around
n her coarse brown cloak and blue hood
sweeping the doorstep and picking up
sticks in the yard for the fire, she said.
So the day wore on, and when the
early winter evening closed III upon
them, they had their simple supper Of
bread, mush and milk, and soon the lit.
tie ones were asleep.
As Mrs. wilkins sat sewing, she heard
the wind rising, and went TO the window
to look out. The moon was partly GOV.
cred by threatening clouds. While she
watched they obscured the silver light
completely.
"It looks mighty thrsatcnin',' she said
to herself. ~ should feel real bad if pa
couldn't git back for Thanksgiv;n', fol
the children has set so much store by
what he's goin' to bring 'cm. ] wouldn't
feel right good myself. We've eat our
Thanksgivin' dinner together on that
day this ten year, an I've alters been
thankful for my man an children.
There amt many sech."
Thus her homely thoughts ran on un-
I'll the light began to grow dim for the
scarcity Of oil In the lamp. Then she
prepared for rest, first thanking God for
her blessings and asking protection for
her husband on his journey and speedy
return Oh the morrow.
Quiet broodcd over the house and its
inmates, over the little village near which
they lived and over the tavern where the
father lay, twenty mileo away. But not
for long. The rising winds, which had
made themselves heard fitfully, now
grew furious. They reveled in the open
stretch Of country around the wilkins
farm, which stood on the edge of the
village, and chased each other across
meadows whose crusted snow cleaned
when the clouds were blown for mo
ment from the face of the moon. Soon
more flakes began to fall, and, what with
the wind and the smooth surface OF the
snow already fallen. were blown and
whirled violently about until they threat
ened to hide some landmarks completely.
Mr. wilkins little house came In for
. share of the drifts. 1t was low and
white and square. Like many houses in
rural New England, Its rear door opened
into sbed, behind which wero the barn
and outhouses, so that in cate of storms
tho live stock could be easily reached.
The snow played very queer l..anks with
the house that night. 1t left the roof al
most bare, while II piled drift In front
which hid all but one corner Of tho win.
dow. 1t drifted against the barn door
and hid the shed completely. Fortunate
~ the well was under the shed roof and
the chicken house could be reached with.
out going out.
When Mira. wilkins awoke, her first
thought was OF the night before and her
forebodings OF a storm. She tried TO
look out, but the snow covered every.
thing. Much frightened. she climbed to
tho loft Of the one story house. Looking
from the window, sho perceived that not
person could be seen. Tie roads wero
piled with great whito drifts, and the
only house In sight, ssso low one, was
partially covered. Over all The sun was
shining brightly. She saw at q glance
that y sleigh could not get through, tho
roada on that day and possibly not on
tho next. Then she went down and
awoke the children.
whats the matter. mother;" said
bob.
''Matter enough" replied Mrs. VIII
kins. I'VE are showed In. and fathe,
cart get home today"
At this little Elsie showed signs Of
eryIpG and her w2Ahsr hsatsnsd "a ~
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