The San Francisco call., 1897-11-21
LITTLE POLLYS
THANKSGIVING.

warm, comfortable bed this cold morning.
But it is very near Thanksgiving time,
and he knows very well he has plenty to
do cheering up the people, who, but for
Gods sunshine, might think they had liz
tie else to be thankful for in this world.
1t is very late in the morning when he
finally takes peep into Polly MerrllPs
pretty room; but once there he sees too
much to admire to think of leaving in
hurry. Shelves full OF beautiful story
books and doils-alI kinds of dolls-from
a funny black Dinah to a beautiful Paris
doll that can talk.
He fingers long and lovingly on Polly's
little curly head at the window, for he
sees at a glance thai something is wrong
with the little girl VINO has so much to
make her thankful and happy.
Polly, Polly" called her mothers
voice from the next room. "Are you
quite ready, dear2'
Not receiving an immediate reply, Mrs.
Merrill appeared in the doorway with
bonnet and coat on, ready to 60 out
With a look of surprise she glanced at her
little daughter.
"Why, Polly! Did not Jane give you
my message that you were to be ready by
10 O'Clock? want you to go with me to
ask your aunts to dine with US on Thanks
giving Day. hurry up, darling; the car
rage is waiting"
"Oh. mammal answered Polly, 'if you
VIII only walt a few minutes, l want to
talk to you very seriously"
Mamma laughed. why, Polly, dear,
I never heard of you being serious for
even five minutes. L will certainly wait
for so rare treat"
well, you see, mamma, when Jane
gave me Your message this morning, Twas
very naughty, and said l did not want to
go, and that l hated Thanksgiving din
uers. Jane said:
" Oh, fie, Miss Polly! You ought to be
ashamed of yourself; you have so much
TO make you thankful and happy.
And, mamma" continued Polly, "Jane
saws she knows a poor little lame girl who
never rides in q carriage, and never has a
good dinner all the year round. l have
been thinking and thinking ever since,
and 1 am so troubled.
But have most beau tifuI plan if you
will only consent, mamma"
Mrs Merrill sat down and took the little
girl into her lap. 81 am afraid consent
only too often to your plans, Polly, dear,
and hope this one Is not something very
remarka be-"
'Oh, no, mamma. I have been thinking
that every day in the year we have good
dinner, and so do all my aunties. Now, if
we only could ask them to stay at home
this time and invite the little lame girl
and some of her friends instead what a
jolly good time we could give them. Oh,
do say yes mamma"
Mrs. Merrill looked at the eager little
girl and hesitated.
Your plan sounds very enticing, dear,
but what could We say to your aunts
They fully expect to be invited. 1t has
been a family custom for many years to
meet in my home Thanksgiving day."
lob, mamma you are going to say no. -
cried poor little Polly.
"Folly, are you willing TO help me out
of my difficulty if I say yes2'
"Oh, try me. mamma; am willing to
help you any way 1 can" And Polly be-
gan to laugh ana clap her hands.
Very well. Run and ask Jane to put
your things on, and you must go with me
and explain to all the aunts why they are
not to be invited this year. And I believe
their love for you will excuse my weakness
in the matter"
Polly fairly few, and in two minutes
they were off. Each aunt was visited, and
it was as Mrs. Merrill had prophesied
The little girls eager words and happy
face worked complete forgiveness al
around. Directly after luncheon, with
Jane in the carriage to direct the way
they started out to hunt up the little lame
girl. Jane was almost as much excited as
Polly herself.
After riding many squares they came al
last to poor, little alleywsy. Up rickety
stairway they climbed to forIorn little
room. The sun had been there, too, tha
morning, but did not linger long.
Little lame Alice. in a chair near th,
window, sees her visitors enter, and look
ing into Polly MerrilPs happy face per
ceives more sunshine than has ever en-
tered her room before.
And what happiness they bring to th,
poor little child With delight untolC
she listens to the wonderful plan fo
Thanksgiving day. Her pleasure increase;
tenfold when she finds that five of ne
friends are to be included in the invita-
ton.
Thanksgiving day dawns bright ant
clear. Early in the afternoon Mrs. Mer
rilPs carriage was sent for the six littl,
girls, and what a happy day Polly CAV.
them. Little lame Alice played with th,
beautiful French doll. and that prett,
room was Ike fairyland to those pool
little walls.
But the dinner, after all, was the bes
part of it. How they did eatl Perhap
they ate more than was good for them
but dear little Polly only wished the,
might eat two dinners. She gave awav 50
many of her toys that her pretty room
looked quite bare and empty. But, will
q heart full of happiness, she saw he
guests depart, for she knew she hac
brought one perfect day into six Iittl,
lonely lives.
Jane" said Polly on her way to bee
that night. 81 am very sorry for my poo