Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-11-19
Thanksgiving For Two.

better and more prosperous days, and
now was travelling backward. 1t be
gan at the top of Brindle hill, where it
was bounded by the county road, and
struggled down to the lake shore, it's
hundred acres or so wandering over
hills and dipping into hollows, until
they terminated at the bay, with it's
rim Of white and glistening sand.
One of the most picturesque spots of
earth, and right in the center of it,
browning rounded knoll, surrounded
with staIWart oaks and butternuts,
squats the house of it's owner.
1t was always a difficult spot to
reach in winter, when the drifting
SHOWS piled high their white pillows
against the loW-eyed structure and hid
the windows from the outer world.
But in summer it was delightful this
mOss-groWn dwelling beneath the oaks,
and at one time had been a home
around whose hearthstone had gath
cred sons and daughters.
Now it was desolate. The passing
stranger would have but added it to
the category of deserted farms. No
sign of life was visible this bright
Thanksgiving morning; from its wide,
paneled chimney no curl of smoke in
vaded the crisp and frosty air; the
light fall of snow that had covered the
ground the night before showed no
trace of footsteps leading from the
Weather-beaten door. And yet Enere
was a stir of life in the farmyard, in
/
old barn tOttered ready for it's fall.
There a flock of fowl and turkeys
wandered disconsolately about. In
the adjacent stall an old horse stamped
impatiently for his breakfast and a for
lOrm COW chafed restlessly at her
stanchiOns. Except for these the old
farm was as silent as when it's first
owner carved it from the virgin wild
erness. A rustling of the shrubbery
that fringed the tall, stiff-raniked pines
on the hill beyond the barn told that 81
visitor was coming to Lonely Farm.
A human head appeared in sight. 1t
was crowned by % woolen cap, from
beneath which peered a pair of black,
bright eyes. Their owner took off
the cap and mopped his brow. He was
rugged country lad of IS, we'll knit
and sturdy, with a pair of ruddy
cheeks white teeth and rosy lips, but
with a droop of sadness.
New England always hard to her
children had taken from this boy the
home and mother that make Thanks
giving, even as it had taken from the
widow all but the wretched framework
of what had once been home.
House looks like mothers used TO
after she got so she couldn't get about"
soliIoquizcd the boy staring at the
smokeless chimney. III bet there
ain't been nobody near the wilder in
week, and I'll bet, while I'm a bettin',
that she needs something. Guess I'll
find out what's the matter"
He strobe down to the house and
knocked There was no response.
Only the crow in the oak tree was dis
turbed by the unwon,ed noise and few
away with a cav OF alarm. A second
knock started the fowl in the barn
yard, who greeted him with a sup
pressed chuclSIe; but there was no an
swer from within. Guess | nights
we'll go in. He pushed open the crazy
door and entered the room Which
served as kitchen and sitting-"Oon, all
in one. A table stood in the center
of it, covered with a snowy cloth and
set as il for supper. A tall clock
licked in the corner under the stairs,
but it's rhythmic beat seemed only to
make the silence audible. 1T seems
kinder creepy, that's a fact Hope
there amt nothin' happened to her.
Wonder where she is! P'r'aps she's
asleep
He raped loudly and then put his
ear down to the keyhole, listening in
tently. At first there was no re-
sponse Then he thought he heard a
faint, quavering voice.
It's me-Jem Hastings. I've come
TO sec if you need anybody
Come in" The feeble voice
struggled with a cough, then: Yes,
I'm so glad you've come. l was taken
faint yesterday and had Just strength
enough to crawl to bed. Perhaps"
What! an you amt had nothin' to
eat?"
No with a feeble smile.
We'll, if you'll let me try I'll make
a cup of tea
Jem closed the door, set his gun in
a corner and looked around for the
place in which the widow kept her
stores. The dressers ranged against
the wall, were bright with old-fash-
toned pewter plates and china. Here
he found 3 caddy of tea, and then set
about making a fire. A huge fireplace
yawned at one side of the room, hung
with black iron crane, from which was
suspended a tea kettle. The woodpile
was outside, near the door. and,
brushing off the snow, Jem soon had
some dry wood, with which he made
a roaring blaze. 1t was not long be-
fore he had the satisfaction of seeing
the kettle send forth a volume of
steam, and a few minutes later he
tapped again at the bedroom door with
a tray, on it a tempting cup of tea
and two we'll butteTed slices of bread
The bread had been intended for his
luncheon, the gift of the farmers wife,
who paid for his services in keep
New England wages.
Wrapped in a shawl of Canton silk,
the heirloom Of a grandmother whose
father once sailed from Salem to the
Indies, the widow sank back into her
comfortable arm chair with a deer
oh of NO oIorc.J l,