St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-11-28
Aunt POIIy's Thanksgiving.

Something has gone wrong, Miranda,
i Can tell by your looks, " said Stephen
Granger. as he settled himself to read the
county paper by the bright light that
shone over him from the shelf above his
head.
Yes" assented Mrs. Granger, "some-
thing is very wrong, indeed | have
been over to Aunt Polly Cramer's this
afternoon. had not been there before
since old Mr.. Cramer died two months
ago. shall always be sorry didn't go
before. Not that | could have done
much, either, only by sympathizing with
her, but she seems to think a great deal
OF sympathy"
you have not told me yet what is the
matter OF Aunt Polly" prompted Mr..
Granger.
well, it is just this; she's got to go to
the poorhouse."
go to the poorhouse"
Eyes, Polly Cramer, who has nursed
almost everyone in the village, old and
Young, through every kind OF disease,
and never was known to turn any one
from her door who was in need OF help,
she has got to 60 to the poorhouse!"
wac SShSho - >
much flushed and excited; it was plain
that she was deeply stirred.
Her husband regarded her with grave
interest.
"You know was with her when her
husband died, but did not realize that
things were so low with them. She had
managed to keep him comfortable all
through his illness by selling off the COW
and chickens when she could no longer
get money by other means, so now 1t is
all gone, and she is destitute, and there
is no other way but to take her to the
poorhouse.
at times were not so hardS-that is, i
were not out of work,-it should not
be, Miranda; but don't dare to add an
otter to our family with winter just be
ginning and nothing laid by to live OF
more than we have"
Il can't blame you, Stephen; l have
ventured to do this, however; 1t is sc
near Thanksgiving that | could not bea1
to have her carried off to that dreadful
place before she had one more espectabl'
Thanksgiving time, so have invited he'
to come and stay with us until after thai
day, and then, | suppose, she Will have
60"
"You did quite right, Miranda; | an
very glad you did so, in fact. will &c
Mr.. Lane to bring her over tomorrow
We can't get up any fancy Dinners, nu
we'll give her fancy welcome, ana II
know Aunt Polly she will like that bette
than a fancy dinner"
Tears born OF a mixture of sorrow ant
sympathy for Aunt Polly and love ant
gratitude toward her husband shone II
Miranda Granger's soft blue eyes. Sh
snatched up the baby to hide them behin'
his curly head and for few moment
there was silence.
Then she said: 81 knew you would no
be angry, Stephen. Every woman coul'
not count on her husband as l can OF
mine. The poorhouse is all right in 1t
way, and we couldn't do without 1
very well, but it isn't the place for Aun
Polly. She tries to be resigned, but yo
ought to hear her talk; she is so prou
to think that she managed to keep ne
husband till he died, without charity
Even his doctors bill and funeral eS
penses are paid, but she sold eVerytnin
she had that anyone would buy in orde
to do it,"
1T is a sad case" said Mr.. Granger
and then Mrs. Granger set the baby dow
again, and went out to the little kltcne
to do up the supper dishes ana max
plans for the comfort and pleasure OF Cd
expected visitor :, -,
As he had promised his wife, MI
Granger brought the old lady over to nj
house the next day after the news OF nc
trouble had reached him. She wa
cheerful and grateful, and as word ma
been sent her early in the day, she ha
prepared her few effects for removal an
was all ready to put on her shawl an
bonnet. She soon appeared with III
things on, and in her hand basket owe
which a stout cloth was securely tied.
There was an anxious look on Aur