Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-24
A Thanksgiving FQi|l.

"Oh, pretty mamma what is the mat
ter?" and cried, too.
Il was thinking about your uncle
Jefferson" she answered, then she
dried her eyes and mine. He will be
only one who will not be here at our
Thanksgiving dinner"
But why don't he ever Gomez" I
said.
Three years ago he had a misun-
derstanding with your father" said
mamma.
That means quarrel" l said
What did he quarrel about?"
THE pronunciation of word" said
mamma.
'The way word ought to be
spoken?" asked.
YES" said mamma.
thought that such queer thing t.
quarrel about but / did not say any
thing, for, of course, big folks know
best.
''It was on Thanksgiving Day three
years ago." said mamma, "and he has
never been in the house since"
"He must be very cross and bad"
said.
mo, indeed, Hilda," said mamma.
HE is splendid doctor, and very kind
to the poor. He is ready to go and see
them any time, day or night. l have
often known him to take the ragged
little children who were sent for him
home in his gig"
Then she said again: "They will all
be here but he"
Shall l go and ask him to Gomez"
| said after a while. Il know where he
lives"
mo, Hilda, he would not listen to
you," said mamma.
IF l was ragged little girl would
he Gomez" l asked.
HE might" said mamma. Then she
sat very quiet and looked out of the
window for long time, and l knew
she was thinking about Uncle Jeffer-
son.
Next day every one came-grandma,
grandfather and all my aunts, uncles
and cousins. big and little.
The table in the dining-room was
bright and glttering with pretty glass,
silver and flowers. Every one seemed
happy, but knew just by her face that
mamma was still thinking. "They are
all here but Uncle Jefferson"
So / went up to her and said:
maybe Uncle Jefferson will come af-
ter all, mamma" but she shook her
head and the tears came into her eyes.
would he come if l were a ragged
little girl and asked him?" l asked
"He might" said mamma. "He is
always so very good to poor little chill
dren."
Then l will go and bring him." l
said to myself and ran away. Dinner
would not be ready for an hour, so
had plenty of time. l left all my cous-
ins playing and talking together
was afraid some one would call me
back, but got away without being seen
and went into mammals room and into
closet, where l knew an old coat of
papa's hung. l knew no one would
mind, so | got the big scissors and cut
off some of the sleeves, and then put
it on; but it was so long that could
not walk, so / cut off the skirt, too.
There was nothing left but the waist
and | tore big holes in it to make It
ragged.
l climbed up on chair after was
dressed and peeped into the glass. I
looked just like poor, poor little beg
gar girl. 1t almost made me cry.
81 hope 1 am ragged enough to suit
Uncle Jefferson" l said, and l ran
down stairs and out of the door. No
one heard me.
When reached Uncle Jeffersons Of
fee his gig was standing at the door.
30 waited close by until he came out
of the house. / was afraid that after
all he would not listen, but the moment
he saw me he stopped and looked at me
all over through his glasses.
Dear, DEAR" he said, my poor
child, what do you want?"
Il want you to come and see MAN.
ma," / said
He answered right away, Certainly;
Jump in and tell the boy where to
drive"
When the black boy lifted me into
the gig he laughed and said:
We'll, little rag-bag, where shall
take you?"
Just that moment forgot our num-
ber, so pointed.
Uncle Jefferson sat down on the
other side of me, and away we went.
Well, before l knew it, the boy drove
down the wrong street, but there was
a gate in our back garden in this street,
and told him to stop there.
1t was very dark in the garden, but
[ went straight up TO the dining-room
door, Uncle jefferson following close
behind. AS l ran up the steps threw
away the old coat and handkerchief,
FOR | knew mamma wanted me to look
nice.
When I pushed open the door and
called out, Here is Uncle Jefferson"
every one stopped talking and turned
around.
Well, I don't know what happened
after that, but anyhow in few mo-