The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-01

them stories and played with them
until teatime.
It was only a few days before
Thanksgiving, but Aunt Hannah was
to stay until Friday, SO she helped
prepare for Mrs. Barton's "party," as
the children called it.
The first guest that arrived was
Mrs. Miller, widow, who had been
one of Mrs. Barton's special trials.
By some of her foolish gossip she had
made Mrs. Barton world of trouble.
1t required grace to invite her to
Thanksgiving feast, but her pleasure
over the good dinner and her agree
able manner gave Mrs. Barton kind
ly feeling for her old enemy.
The next visitor was Mr.. Barton's
employer, Mr.. Close. He was crusty
old bachelor, who kept valuable
man at half his value because he saw
that his financial embarrassments
would prevent him from risking
hunt for new situation. Mr.. Close
held the mortgage on the pretty home
and kept "a foreclosure like drawn
sword over the family. Mrs. Barton
disliked him SO heartily that she
sighedssas she heard his step, for she
had hoped he would refuse the invi
tation.C She soon, however, changed
her opinion, for he at once devoted
himself to.the baby, who was perfect
ly happy in his arms, and gave the
mother time for others. A strange
thing happened. This miserly old
man had shut himself away from his
fellowmen because of great trouble.
But. years ago he had loved baby
brother, andss in the touch of these
baby fingers he felt those long turned
to dust. When the baby fell asleep
in his arms after the frolic, the mans
heart eltedsswithin him; and when
he laid Ithe innocent sleeper in the
cradle, tears fell on the little face as
he resolved to be worthy the love of
this child.
The principal visitor was Gran lima
Barton, who arrived by the early
train, and was surprise to her son.
When the wife saw his happiness and
the delight of the old lady she for
got possible future troubles.
Mollie was not forgotten. She was
as slow and awkward as usual and
would never have prepared dinner
alone. But her mistress saw only the
pleasant side of it-that she was bet
ter than no help-and Aunt Hannah
was at the helm. Mrs. Barton also re-
membered how lonely she might be
while others were rejoicing and her
own family was over the sea, so she
invited Mollie's cousin to eat dinner
with her, and with Aunt Hannah's
help gave them the afternoon.
Upstairs the children had such a
fine time that they began to think
sickness quite luxury. Mr.. Close
surprised every one by slipping off
and returning with large sleigh, for
the first snow of the season had made
this pleasure possible. The day was
so mild that even the little invalids
were bundled up and allowed to en-
Joy the ride. Mrs. Perkins and sew
eral poor families Iwere remembered
at dinner time, and Mrs. Barton felt
at uight the JOY that comes from max
ng as many happy as possible. Aunt
Hannah put the children to bed and
took grandma off for a talk, so the
tired little wife had an opportunity
for a quiet hour with her husband,
and the brave, hopefully words she
spoke helped him for many a day.
Before she went to. bed she wrote
on card and put in her Bible:-
"Giving thanks always for all thiDes.-Eph. 5
20.
II will be thankful for trials
81. Because.they are no.wOrse.
SO. Becausesthe can.teach me to be sweet
spirited, patient andlhopt full.
49, Because my Heavenly Father allows them
to come and bears-all my burdens for me-"
She read this card often the first
few weeks until the. joy of the Lord
became her daily and hourly portion.
This happened last Thanksgiving
day. and Aunt Hannah recalled the
party whenss she stopped for day in
the summer.
"You have lost your tired, careworn
look, Minnie, ''.she said.
Mrs. Barton laughed as she re-
plied,-
"Then it is because | am learning
to give thanks for all things. But if
I did not happen to have one or two
new burdens, should. have none to
! rive thanks for aaSthOse 7 0rOanad