The gold leaf., 1898-11-24
A Thanksgiving FQly.

The night before Thanksgiving I
found mamma sitting alone by the
window in the dark, and when l put
my check against hers it was all wet,
and l said out quick:
ooh, 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" l
said.
''Three years ago he had a misun-
derstanding with your father said
mamma.
THAT means a QUARREL l said.
What did he quarrel about?"
The pronunciation of word" said
mamma.
THE way word ought to be
spoken?" l asked.
Yes" said mamma.
| thought that such a queer thing to
quarrel about, but l did not say any
thing, for, of course, big folks know
best.
"It was on Thanksgiving Day three
yea ago said mamma, and he has
never been in the house since"
He must be very cross and bad" 1
said.
mo, indeed, Hilda," said mamma.
He is a 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 / 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 was a ragged little girl would
| he Gomez" l asked
He might" said mamma. Then she
/ sat very quiet and looked out Of the
window for a long time, and 1 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 glittering 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 I 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 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."
said to myself and ran away. Dinner
would not be ready for an hour. so I
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
4 closet. where | 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
il on; but it was so long that could
not walk, SO l cut off the skirt, too
There was nothing left but the waist
and tore big holes in it to make it
ragged.
I climbed up on chair after I was
dressed and peeped into the glass.
looked just like poor, poor little beg.
gar girl. 1t almost made me cry.
81 hope l am ragged enough to suit
Uncle Jefferson" said, and l raj
down stairs and out Of the door. Nc
one heard me.
When l reached Uncle Jerferson's Of
ace his gig was standing at the door
so waited close by until he came out
Of the house. I was afraid that after
all he would not listen, but the moment
be saw me he stopped and looked at me
all over through his glasses.
Dear, DEAR" he said, my pool
) .hild, what do you want?"
II want you to come and see nam
ma" I,saad,