Middletown transcript., 1896-11-21

~ ed and whitened
..G|ZZMW'* every ledge, roof
.@sS branch and twig.
Over the stubble fields one lone crow
smoothly swung with an occasion a
"caw, caw;;" the cows winked and
blinked as they lazily chewed their cue
the warm sheltered barnyard, while
under the caves Of the big barn brisk
army of sparrows fought, and the
pigeons fiuttered down at intervals to
share the feast of corn so generously
provided for Chanticleer and his num-
erous family. No sign Of Thanksgiv-
ing there but inside the big roomy
kitchen there we're signs galore. The
big turkey reposed comfortably in un-
wontedly narrow quarters-the big
baking pan ready for ''to-morrer's
bakin',n and in a famous big tin pan
crowding one another closely were
heaped big deliciously brown dough-
nuts as only Mother Douglas could fry
them; quaint old-fashioned cut-glass
dish side by side with an earthen vessel
which had just been lifted from the
stove, and from which its aristocratic
neighbor was filled presently with the
quiyering ruby sauce, which tomorrow
will help to grace the bounteous table.
Mother Douglas exclaimed joyfully,
''Look at my. sauce Mercy, isn't it
prettv?" and the little woman tilted
her head side ways like little wren.
Such LITTLE woman with such big
boy. And such a dear little mother
she was. There are only these two
left now, mother and Ben, the latter
strong, broad-shouldered man of thirty
five and the present owner by inheri-
tance Of the broad acres of the old
Douglas farm. His ''little mother"
or 'Motherdy" as he sometimes fondly
called her, has always been his special
care, particularly since the death of his
father some FIVE or six years ago. A
close companionship existed between
them, loving and tender as it should be
between mother and son. While we
are, to quote Samantha, s'episod in"
Ben has entered the kitchen just as his
mother asks the above question and,
Immediately answers it.
"Prettya should say it is. Phew |
Mercy, will all these pies be eaten?
What kind are they These are
pumpkin of course; who ever heard of
Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie,
but what are these?"
s'As you say these are pumpkin of
course, lemon and apple"
"Oh !" said Ben disappointedly,
s'and not one for me-not even one
Why Motherdy, what have done Am
I not to be thankful too? Have moth
ing to be thankful for when I've the
dearest, sweetest little mother in the
world, and-and-well, lots of other
things?? Too badl''
Mercy poised the pie she had just
covered with its fiaky crust, on her
hand and deftly trimmed the edge as
she glanced over it holding it rather
higher than necessary, her eyes shining,
a smile ripping over the fair face as he
asked again, ''Not even one for me?"
Then she nodded laughingly.
"How under heaven will you know
which it is among SO manyp" queried
he.
-"Oh Pve a little private mark of my
own which enables me to know ex-
actly."
"Think Of it, motherl Mercy has a.
little private mark all her own she
puts on the piesl By-the-way," he
went on to say with only smile to
thank Mercy, "I'm going into the
village. What about those things you
want, Mother2''
''Oh my, yes! Let me see, Mercy,
we will want more nutmegs, some
pulyerized sugar, rasins, a lamp CHM
ney, and Ben stop at old Uncle Silas'
and get more celery, and is there any
thing else, Mercy?"
Eyes Madam, this basket.n Deary
mel what should l do. child without
you'll I'm getting SO forgetful. Son,
leave this basket with Uncle Silas; tits
some Thanksgiving cheer"
sYou blessed womanI' calculated
Ben, who had been industriously put
ting down the desired articles on a
scrap Of paper, and taking the basket
from her went his way, halting an in
slant by the side Of Mercy and lightly
touching her cheek with one finger
sang'' Roses,rose who'lrbuy my rosesP''
"Buy your rosesp What are you
thinking about Benz Roses at Thanks
giving timep'
es moi her-ricb, rare, red roses.n
"Where are theyp"
"Where they grow DEAR" and was
gone. =
.Has that boy gone crazy2', Receiv-
ing no answer from the girl in whose
cheeks the roses were blooming riot
ously, Mother Douglas continued mus
ingly, II guess it's the weather got
into his head. Mercy how are you
getting along, dear childr'
"Splendidly-nearly done and ready
to mould out the bread for you. Sup
pose you sit down and rest awhile.
Surely you are tired.n
Eyes. i do begin to feel tired. I get
tired very quickly now-a-dags," then
as Mercy pulled the low rocker to-
wards her she dropped down into IT.
wearily. How good it Is to sit down
and feel comfortable doing it, and Z