Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-24

JACK QUIETLY LIFTED THE HIGH CHAIR
TO PLACE BESIDE HIS OWN.
strategy at the outset; now the battle
was hopelessly lost. Well, he might
hire somebody to care for it: She
would not and in five minutes after
she had settled this point she was
holding the object of controversy in
her arms and feeding it most terderly.
Ihen Tor the first time she remein-
bered that this was Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving And sitting and rock
ing, her mind travelled back to time
when the day meant much to her; to a
time when life was not so narrow, so
sordld, when she went to church and
enjoyed human companionship. Then
she remembered the first Thanksgiy-
ing on this farm, when Jack was a
sturdy boy of five and the others
younger; how she had made little
feast almost ont of nothing, but, des-
plte the inconsistencies and loneliness.
they had been far happier than IN the
years since when love of gain had
eaten them up, spiritually and men,
tally. With q start she heard the
clock strike eleven. The baby was
sleeping; could she manage to get up
Thanksgiving feast in an hour? She
had intended to have boiled potatoes,
fried salt pork, bread, coffee and
sorghum molasses.
Ben, her youngest son, was at the
barn for something and, yielding to
the impulse of the moment, she called
to him from the doorway: "Run me
down chicken, Ben, if you men folks
can get along till one o'clock without
yer dinners"
"Aye, ayo" said Ben heartily, but
when he came i'll with the chicken he
looked so inquiring that his mother
said: II plum forgot twas Thanks
giving" just as if they ever observed
1t either inwardly or outwardly. Beu
said nothing, but shYing a glance at
the sleeping babe went out softly, but
was whistling gaily when he reached
the corn sheds. Cant have dinner
till the horn blows; reckon that'll be
about one O'clock"
whats up?" asked Tom.
The Kingsleys were not humorous,
but an idea did occasionally strike
Ben and now he answered severely:
You can't expect mother to take
care of youngun and have meals
square up to time"
Hang the youngun" was Toms
ungiacious reply. Say, Jack, you
better so over to Sweets this after
noon"
eff you've any business at Sweets
so yourself; I haven't any"
Even Mr.. Kingsley, who was not ut
all observing, opened his eyes when
he entered the big kitchen, from which
most savory odors had already greeted
him.
Never had the old room looked so
inviting before, and no wonder! A
toothsome feast on table spread
with the white cloth and best dishes
only used for company-and baby
form in the old high chair so long
rele9ated to the garrett He smiled
and laid his rough hand on the little
head covered with golden red curls.
"Whoop-ee!" said Tom, looking ap-
provingly about $50 all this comes
of having a girl in the family"
Jack glanced at his mother and then
did what no Kingsley was ever known
to do before without being asked
filled the water pals.
Ben looked down at himself; then
there was another departure. He put
on clean "wamus" and washed and
combed with unusual care. Everyone
had smile or pat for the bright,
fearless babe who, they tacitly under
stood, was in some way responsible
for the good cheer.
When ready to sit down, Jack quietly
lifted the high chair to a place besides
his own. He meant to take care of
her, evidently. And so the new life
at the Kingsleys began. Not all in a
day did the changes come, but the
truth of the words: "Anda little child
shall lead them," was never more thor
oughly verified than in this instance.
By another Thanksgiving time royal
feast was spread and the minister and
his family invited to partake. The
house was frightened; each member
of the family dressed, talked and acted
more-like "other people," they even
sent wood and vegetables to several
poor families, and remembered that
they themselves had cause to give
thanks for many blessings, not least
| among them ,Tark's bahv