New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-26
NovEMBER'S HOUSEKEEPING.
Foreshadows of Thanksgiving-Some Call
Good Churning Luck

with keen welcome interest the young
watched the gradual giving way of city to country
sights the train. leaving the great terminal
sped toward the widening freedom or Held
and sky view that November morning. come as
much earlier than the rest Of the family pos
sible.' the aunt had written from the old home
stead. where numerous relatives reassembleG yearly
for Thanksgiving. And the niece found ready
response in her heart. Aunt Em'line possessed a
balm for tortured, distracted human kind
Nature, inanimate and animate, was foreshadow-
Ing the approach Of cold weather. Fields and Woc d5
lay deep covered with leaves the coverld which the
v1ewless mother spreads over the wild things that
lie down to sleep. Occasionally. even thus late,
some common bush ahame with God" gave warm
color to the landscape; elsewhere all was soft dull
browns and greens. Here burned over meadow
there ploughed garden. evinced the farmers fore
thought
Leaving the express for a local train at way
junction, the traveller had better opportunity to
observe the homey. everyday country details
Flocks of hens huddled close to barns or houses
dog or cat. sometimes both dozed on door
steps pair of oxen lay side by side in the
pasture, close together for warmth-possibly with
some dumb instinct of companionship. Solemn,
black crows staxed through deserted cornfelds.
and steely buejays flashed in the fir trees. Steady
spiTsls of smoke cured up from wide-mouthed
chmneys
Everywhere among human kind was the subdued
haste of the country. Farmers were hauling huge
loads Of wood and hay. repairing sheds. painting
or cutting down Christmas trees for the great
cities, in woods filed with slanting sunbeams
Housewifely industry showed in clotheslines full
of carpets, rugs, curtains the might be-
or long webs of cloth bleaching on the grass Once
in while came a glimpse of a grandfather in his
armchair the porch baby asleep outdoors
in its carriage, thanks to some brave, sensible
mother
1t noon when the train went just
little slower and stopped at the country station
Aunt Emline. perched high in the old fashioned
buggy, was waiting pacidly. but, the warm, glad
greeting over, she hurried the horse along: ELSE
shall be late for dinner" she said Good society
in c. very generally took its dinner at Il o'clock,
likewise breakfast at z, and supper at s. the year
around.
School children, in heavy coats and red mittens
trudging home, hand in hand. to dinner. gave
bright, shy welcome; and there friendly greet
ing from every one, plain folk sometimes. whose
faces withal showed the charm of refined living,
which is civilizations best flower.
Yes, this is good Thanksgiving weather" said
Aunt Em'line, they left the village centre See
how those cornstalks went over in last nights
frost! Cornstalks this time of year make me
think of high and low churchmen: some Of them.
the extreme ritualists. bow most over to the
ground. and some Of them stand up straight 1
always liked that place in the Bible where the
Lord said unto Ezekiel: stand upon thy feet and
I will speak to thee However. some people stand
up too stiff and alone: you can't get within forty
OF apple trees of them"
Aunt Em'line a marked character-more and
more the niece realized this-and the old home
stead of fine. stately proportions full OF gracious
memories and traditions. fit setting for this
slender, England woman, who held sole sway
here now. The great parlor doors were open and
hospitable fires glowing in the spacious fire.
places. upstairs and downstairs. ct wanted TO make
things would be all ready and comfortable
when the people COME explained Aunt Em'line,
as her niece followed her about. helping dust the
endless curiosities, West Indian conch-shells deli
cate corals and other family treasures. guarded
for many long ago seafaring generations.
At nightfan. however aunt and niece settled
down by the library firesde for hours talk
It's too dark to begin sewing" said the aunt
half apologetically for the idleness. when per-
sons eyesight fails she either has to have glasses
or pair OF tongs. My mother always maintained
that her eyesght wasn't failing, but that they
used to-
voice grew suddenly tender comprehending. These
sympathy, that electric chain which links humanity
together The niece told her tale Of woe, ending:
rather marry Peter and live in log cabin on
ey Establishment With s0@eOody "i
1T is hardest 20 unlearn things that you learn
thoughtfully; your mother always cared more for
60arS ana cents 5h1n 9F tEaI else That
povertylike of all conditions-life which has no
B to Rn6 RS % to to TFe R6
gently: Follow your own heart: If did not know
that It was wise as well as loving should not
like q cameo, eXQuistely clear cut and
poseful, almost Madonnalike in its calm. Years
ago. In early married life, her husband had died;
there children yet Aunt EN- line had al
ways been loved by those who knew her best for
that divine motherhood, the motherhood Of
understanding woman's nature. Ihere are many
childless women who are better mothers than those
who have borne children. And there many
children who have never known what II is to be
mothered. Such a mother-woman the aunt,
such child-wOman the niece.
Presently the aunt reused herself from revery,
and went to superintend supper. The niece opened
the long French window and stepped out upon the
porch. Just above the horizon hung the faint
moon crescent, village lights shone in the valley,
the hillside air seemed strong, sweet sustaining.
There was a simplicity about everything here. Why
did people twist and turn things so! Why not be
lieve in love weigh ii and measure II! Dear
Aunt Em'inel How she frightened life, made
things possible.
with a sense Of thankfulness the niece re-entered
the house. 'T shall write Peter tonight she
said TO Aunt E2m'line. who was just coming with
the supper summons and Aunt EN- line kissed the
face made radiant by the peace that comes after
a right decision. Then at supper with the quick
New En- gland transition from sentiment to facts
she began talk OF necessary Thanksgiving prep
luck" she declared. "It isn't; it's Just good churn-
ing, and that Is true Of life"