Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-11-25

NEXT room. That is, he could have
seen had there been light there; but
inst now all was darkness, and he could
only hear a feeble old voice singing
when | can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies.
I'll bid farewell TO every fear
And wipe my weeping eyes"
And. as the old voice, growing fainter
and fainter, sang the last word, the
door opened tout went the candle held
nv the man watching in the empty
room) and somebody came tx, stamp
ing of the snow.
"Is that you, Steve?" asked the sing
eyes grammom; here am, as well
ordss hearty as ever wos in my life"
answered a boys voice-the voice OF
the young scamp-and striking
match. he lighted lamp that stood on
a table in the middle of the room, and
then going up to a very old woman
ehair-the only decent piece OF furni-
ture there-he kissed her-actually |
kissed her. The watcher could scarce
ly believe his eyes; and as she turned
her wrinkled cheek for the kiss. the
officer q suppose, by this time you
have all guessed It was he who was
watching) saw that she was blind.
"'Cause it's Thanksgiving Eve" said :
the boy, "the streets are Jammea' !
placing the old satchel and tin pail on
the floor. IAN that's the reasin I'm so
late. But I've had good luck an
brought home some wood an little
coal-it's SIGH hard times them DIG
fellers Sits their ashes now. most Oh
EN- 'nuff to do us to-morrer, an
fust-rate dinner-s'pose you're awlui
hungry, Gran; nothin' to eat since
nornin'-fer tonight"
Praise God, from whom all bless
ings fowl" said the old woman. And
the young scamp rolled in the barrel
put it on one side, and filled up the
crate and the little stove with cinders
from the battered pail. and then be-
gan TO set the table.
An old white towel for tabe-cloth,
one cup and saucer, cracked Wnlte
plate, an earthen dish, and a broken
ar-bowl, and the table was set. Then
from the satchel the boy took two rolls
and some crusts Of bread, and various
other things. What they were the
watcher could not well make out; but
Captain links" did not leave him long
in doubt.
There, gran NOM" he said, there's
a diRner fit for queen. did arrant
for a lady to-day-the one that Civ
me this pretty pink necktie-an' she
Civ me- some roast turkey-'speet she
goin' to have two Thanksgivin's-some
jell-half tumbler full in real glass
gobbler-a piece of mincs pie, an
DRAWN OF tea"
Turkey" said the old woman. The
Lord be praised"
Yes; an jell', an pie, an rolls, an
tea. You Jest wait a minnit till that
teas drored an you'll have a daisy ole
dinner an jest at the fashionable hour,
too
The tea was made, the small table
placed close to gran mom." the soft
part OF a roll put in her trembling
hand. the white plate set before her,
with slice of roast turkey on it, and
the old woman began to cat.
It's very good-yes, yes, very good,
said she. Il hav'n't tasted turkey before
in a long, long while-no, indeed, not
in a long, long while. Have ysu plen-
ty. steve!"
"Plenty?" repeated steve; II should
think so-the four legs, the neck an
the gizurd. An now, gran, I'll feed
you the jell' Isn't 1t nice?" putting a
spoonful in her mouth.
Very. very nice" said gran. Eyes,
indeed-very, very nice. Have you
eaten some, Steye?"
Eaten till I'm sick OF IT," said Steve
Ay BluIuu lCk dliuh uAu tui II obih thNh
sweet things. Drink your tea while it's
hot. gran nom; an here's your pie; ]
gobbled mine first thing"
The old woman took a bite-then
stopped and said, thoughtfulF, How
thankful. how very thankful we ought
to be. Steve, that we are so comfort
able. You haT'n't told any stories to-
day, steve?"
Not one" said Steve. And all the
time he had been eating the dry crusts
and drinking cold water.
The officer got up, folded the camp
stool. put II back into the bag. and
turning into an old man again, left his
hlding-place with tears in his eyes.
On Thanksgiving morning the small,
erect, bright blue-eyed, pleasant-faeed