Smyrna times., 1899-12-13
FERN LEAF DEBATING CLUB,
A THANKSGIVING STORY COMPOSED BY
MISS MARY E. BOGGS.
Read Before a Meeting of the CheswOld
Literary Organization on Thanks
giving Evening

Boys m sorry, out III is ten min
utes of ten. 1 must leave you now,'
and so saying, Jack reluctantly arose
to go.
Don't go yet, stay just half an hour
longer. What are you going to do, to-
morrow"
''Oh, don't know, work all day and
give thanks, 1 expect" was Jacks
happy reply, as he left the three boys.
'Ha jack" called John, ''wait a
minute" John stepped aside from
Charlie and George, to speak to him.
''Say, our club meets tomorrow
evening, and YOU know it is Thanks
giving Day. 1t meets at our house.
We are going to have treat for
change and have jolly good time in
general, and Jack, want you to come
to it. We all have right to ask
friend and 1 ask you. Will you
Gomez"
Oh, 1 can't, you ought not to ask
me-" answered Jack after a moments
hesitation.
"Of course you can. Woulu IKE 10
know why you can't"
''John, you know none of you are so
poor as I. certainly appreciate your
kind invitation, but some of the others
might not care to have me present, and
besides, my clothes are too shabby.
Don't ask me, for l can't do it.
John knew not what to say and Jack
said ''good- might" and went on his
way.
John returned to his friends with a
very thoughtful expression on his
face.
Jack is lively, good-natured fell
low" remarked Charlie.
''He is certainly an happy one,
spoke George, with a solemn. far
away look on his face.
''And yet so poor" replied John
at seems so strange, he always seems
happy. l pitied him tonight. Here we
were talking about how we were going
TO spend tomorrow in having such
good time; going cunning in the
morning and all about our club in the
evening. So 1 just invited him. He
said he couldn't come, but I'll bring
him, you see if / don't"
The boys talked on. Other boys
Joined them. They laughed together,
told their jokes and smoked their Gig
arettes until twelve o'clock, when each
went to his own home.
1 won't contrast the home of Jack
with the homes of the others, for you
all can guess the great contrast there
was between them.
1t is evening, and the well lighted
and richly furnished parlor in the home
of Mr.. Downs, sit John, his two sisters,
and Jack. 1t being the first time, for
so. long that he had been in the par
lor of such a home, Jack was very
quiet. The sisters felt little embar-
rassed too, for they knew not know
how to entertain an unwelcome guest
and especially as he was of such diff
ferent class. But it did not last long
for others soon came.
How | pitied the poor fellow, Tor al
each one entered the room, they cas-
such a surprised glance in his direc
tion. And it was not the last surprised
look that they gave that evening
Members kept coming until the NUN
Der was thirty-two. All were yOunt
and full of life. The evening was spen
in games, recitations, music, and
might Justly add, laughing.
Jack soon forgot, that outside it wa
dark, cold and windy, and that q
home, his two sisters had gone to bed
TO keep from burning the little bit {
wood he had time to cut, this evening
He forgot that he had worked har
all day and was tired. No one in thu
merry company displayed better maj
ners or education than did Jack. n
one was brighter, more witty, {
caused more fun than he. No one Ell
tered more heartily into the games an
how surprised everyone looked whe
they began to sing, for Jack possesst
the finest voice of them all. How
would have been missed. All were
glad that John asked whom he di
All had such a good opinion of Jack.
1t was suggested that they have
experience meeting and name what th'
had TO be now thankful for; have sol
singing and go home. Fun was ovt
They all settled down and were
could be. But Jack was the most qui
of them all. They all pitied him as
sat there, with tears in his eyes a
heard one speak of how very thanki
she was, that she had such good Chr
tian parents. Another that she v
permitted to live and enjoy I
blessings and pleasures of anotl
year of life. Another that
was most thankful he possess
wealth; that no earthly comfort