The state herald., 1898-11-25
And How She Came to Appreciate the
Nations Holiday.
PAuLINA PAGE.


"Good morning, Mrs. Lane" said
Mrs. Wilson, as 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.
Il am going to the market early"
said Mrs. Wilson, 80 that l can have
my choice Of the turkeys. l am always
better suited when l pick mine out
myself
well, for my part, wish there We're
no Thanksgiving Day this gear, for
don't see what / have to be thankful
for. You know the children had the
scarlet fever in the summer, and we
were Just paying the last Of the doctors
bill, when my husband took the rheu-
matism. You remember the night the
bridge was washed away and the
freight train was wrecked? Well, he
and 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 wcnder he was
taken sick. But that was seven weeks
ago, and he hasn't done stroke of
work since. l really don't see what Is
to become of u.s."
"But think how well the children are
now" said Mrs Wilson. land ! 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 OIL the bright side, for am sure
: things will be better soon.'
II suppose you are right, but II 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
bad l shouldn't send him to school, If
he didn't cry to 90. 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 pretty little fellow with great
blue eyes and fair curls pushed back
under the soldier cap.
II always stand here at the gate to
see them safely across the tracks," the
mother said. "That Is a. dangerous
crossing OH account of the sharp curve
Mt the end of the street. The train Is
SO close before 1t 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 Of bell, and looked up 10
see the great engine already around
the curve and close upon him. He tried
10 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 he too late.
The little one could not get up, but as
he struggled he slipped Il few feet down
the steep embankment on which the
track rested. and was saved.
The train Numbered on and stopped
mighty close call for the little fcl
low," said the engineer, as he put the
frightened child into his mother,
arms. "And TO think of It's being
Lanes little clap, too. My heart stood
still when ] saw him.
The mother sat upon the embank
ment, pressing her boy closer and closer
TO her heart. as she caressed the littl,
feet which might never have needed
my more new shoes.
She could not speak, but Mrs. Wilson
looking In her face, knew that Thanks
giving Day had already dawned II
her neighbor's heart.