Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-11-29
o'be
poosiQr's THANKSGIVING
Eclma Caldwell Melville.

"lIowdy IIuldah"
"Ilowdy, Nathan! Have Il cheer
Don't kccr pf | do. Sort Of Stingcn
this mornin."
Pears like it was goin to be fall
TO- weather"
"'pearS So"
And then there fell long and pain
full silence during which Nathan merry
ouSIy rubbed the toes Of his great, I'M.
polished boots together and twrlcd his
mittcns, while Iluldah, sitting on Il
bench opposite, Knitted away ut the
brown stocking and eyed him furtivcly,
wondering to herself if it had been
put in words something in this strain:
what on airth brings Nathan Thomp-
son here at this time? It's jest thir-
teen year terday since he war here
last. Wonder If he senses that" and
then she fell to thinking of that other
Thanksgiving day and all the momrn-
tary softneSS Wen; out of her heart,
and poor Nathan, looking up II little
later, missed the faint color and gen
crnl brightness from her face. Il can't
do 1t after ALL" was the one idea that
took possession of him and his hands
shook perceptibly.
After awhile Huldah spoke, though
the sound of her own voice startled
her.
CLOVIS thy MOTHER"
1t was not at all the thing sh" meant
TO say, but the case had become des-
pcNtc
"She amt. pcart this fall. Fact Is
she's real poorly; sort of out en- her
head II right smart chance o the time,
and of late she's called fer thee most
continually md thought mebby-
mchby-"
mo thee didn't think I'd come,
Nathan" broke in IIuldah passion
ntcly, thee knew l wouldn't"
"Mebby ! oughter known it, but
somcway well I've stopped quite n
bit, I'll be goin. Good mornin to thee,
Huldnh!'
lluldah Stanley had risen when her
visitor did and now stood white and
fairly rigid in the center of the room,
while Nathan awkwardly bowed him,
self out
lust the way he had said that last
word "lluldnh," sounded strangely
natural; for Il moment her hands trcm-
hlcd and there was Il strange breaking
up In her face
Nathan. Nathanw she walled, then
as swift ms the flash of II birds wing
the hard lines settled back and the
grim, unforgiving look came into her
eyes. "Ill never 80 near Samantha
Thompson. She's ruined my life.
ruined his life and now in her dotagc
and delirium she calls me back.
Ncver!'
Sitting heavily down In the chair SO
lately occupied by Nathan, she went
on aloud:
ITS Jest thirteen year this mornin
since he come here md said. 'ls't true,
Huldah Stanley that that are Hotlin
| fellows payen We 'tcntions" That are
/ uonin, | cried out all in a blaze.
Whose hccu lycn to thee, NathanF
Then, without waitcn fer him ter an
swer. l icrkcd them coral Deeds from
my neck them very Deeds az he'd give
me nd | was so proud of-and tlingin
EN- at him. cried: There. take thy
love token nd thy freedom! Go home
nd tell thy mother she hain't no cause
ter peer inter her neighbours doors nd
winders no more He turned white CT
ncr sheet then nd said 90. lluldah!
so sort OF heart hreaken that, Of
hadn't been so turriblc wrongcd nd
angry, I'd 4 tried ter explain; but
guess I'm glad | didn't | don't take
no stock in man what can't tear
himself loosen his mothers aperr
strings Its better ~ It's anyhow, fci
SAMANTHA Thompson nd me couldn'i
live under the same shingles, nd he'd
stick to her cause q some silly prom
Use he made his father when he was
dycn The Bible says man shee
leave every thing nd everybody ND
Clcave to his wife nd that's what
Nathan would 4 had ter do. 50 cz I've
alters said It's best that things he les