The silver star., 1898-11-24
THANKFUL MRS. LANE
And How She Came to Appreciate: tho
Nations Holiday.
PAULINA PAGE.

Good morning, Mrs. Lane" said
Mrs. Wilson, ms she stepped briskly
along with her market basket over her
arm.
Good morning." replied Mrs. Lane,
but her voice had none of the glad ring
OF the first speakers, and her face was
far from cheerful.
II am going to the market early
SAID Mrs. Wilson, $50 that l can have
my choice of the turkeys. I am always
better suited when pick mine out
myself"
We'll, for my part. | wish there were
no thanksgiving Day this year. for
uont see what / have to he thankful
for. You know the children had the
scarlet fever in the summer. and we
We're Just paying the last of the doctors
Dill, when my husband took the rheu-
Inntism. You remember the night the
bridge was washed away and the
freight train was wrecked: Well. he
ana his men worked all night in the
rain to rebuild the bridge and have the
track cleared for the early morning
passenger train. It's no wonder he was
taken sick. But that was seven weeks
ago. and he hasn't done Il stroke of
work since. really don't see what is
to become of us
But think how well the children are
now,' said Mrs. Wilson. land l am
sure Mr Lane IL improving. l didn't
mean to tell you. but I'm planning lit
tie surprise for them tomorrow Try
to look on the bright side. for am sure
things will be better soon.''
II suppose you are right. but 1t isn't
so easy to look on the bright side when
one is out of money. and sees no way
of getting any. Freddie's shoes are so
Dad shouldn't send him to school, II
he didn't cry to go. He is so proud of
going TO school with the others"
She looked lovingly after the sturdy
little figure trudging up the street with
his slate and book under his arm. He
| was a pretty little fellow with great
/ blue eyes and fair curls pushed back
under the soldier cap.
II always stand here mt the gate to
see them safely across the tracks, tie
mother said. THAT is dangerous
crossing on account of the sharp curve
Mt the end of the street The train is
so close before it comes in sight Their
father often tells them To look both
ways before they try to cross. but I'm
afraid they might forget
Hurry up. Freddie" cried the older
children. stepping quickly over the
tracks and leaving the little one to fol-
low as best he could.
Just then Freddie heard roar and
the clang ora bell, and looked up to
see the great engine already around
the curve and close upon him. He tried
to hurry. tripped and fell. with both
short legs across the farther rail. How
the whistle shrieked, as the engineer
vainly tried TO stop his train.
Up the street rushed the mother, but
she knew she would be too late.
The little one could not get mp, but as
he struggled he slipped few feet down
the steep embankment on which the
| track rested, and was saved!
The train thundered on and stopped
mighty close call for the little fel-
low" said the engineer. as he put the
frightened child into his mothers
arms. "And to think of it's being
Lanes little clap. too. My heart stood
still when l saw him."
The mother sat upon the embank-
ment, pressing her boy closer and closer
| to her heart. rs she caressed the little
feet which might never have needed
any more new shoes.
She could not speak. but Mrs. Wilson
looking in her face. knew that Thanks.
giving Day had already dawned in
her neighbOr's heart.