The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-11-24

work and worry again.
Remember the good old days when you didn't hurry sol
much worry at ALI You lived in little country town
that was nine miles from railroad, and the mail came
but three times week. The town has not changed much
in all these years You have Some of the old folks have
died and the boys and girls you know are the old folks
now, living quietly and peacefully did their fathers
and motherscose to nature-cose to the so-closc to
God.
Big families fashionable in the old days, and
when your father counted they numbered six You
lived in big frame house the road that leads to the
Baptist church and the postocc You knew everybody
in town and everybody knew you, That nice to
live.
You worked some and played much Your heart was
light and there seemed to be sunshine about pcrpctu
ally. And that is fine, too.
Remember the big kchcni
There tiny lights of glass in the windows, big
wood stove of lamps the manel motto on the
wall that read "Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother and
meant every word of it, and the stove hung great
punches Of sweet and slabs of beef that slowly
drying Some of the happest periods of your life were
spent in that old Even you could find your way
bndfoded into every of the old house, from cellar
TO garnet, couldn't you?
Father and mother believed in making much Of hol
days, and Thanksgiving in the air ms soon as the
Fourth of July burns had healed.
1t took lot of getting ready. There turkey to
fatten and squash and turnps and pumpkins to select
You know that that very day everything must be OF the
best
How the seasons have changed since you lived in city
In the old days there snow on thanksgiving IN tha
little town. The air crisp and clean. 1t like
square meal to breath it. 1t painted bright colors on the
cheeks of boy of about size who had to run in every
little while to get the numb out OF his fingers over the
kitchen stove.
About nine o'clock Father hched up to the big bobs'
and-glory-lct you drive to the house. "Now, Mother,
get your family ogether these nags won't stand long in
the cod,' he shouted and in Few minutes bells were
iingng and you your way to church. Remem-
Der those days you always went to church Thanks
giving AT the church you found folks from miles around,
and uncles and auns and good will a-plenty
Perhaps you do not remember the sermon You were
Just boy. 1t solid religion clear through. The old
pastor reminded the worshipers Of their many blessings;
of the and the rain that had given them bontllu ar
vests. He thanked God for the peace that rested ON all
parts of the country for the increase of charity syma,
thv brothery love; for the fact that ghtcnmcn and
education growing And for all, with bowed head,
he gave credit to the Great Ruler.
There was prayer that like beautiful poem, and
of those old hymns that thrilled the people, the benc
dicon said and the little church organ pcacd JOY
fully ms the worshppcrs slowly passed from the church,
visiting they went Did you notice how those who had
good dinners waiting somehow found themselves IN
vited to the homes of those who had They still doing
Gods work in the old way in that little town They
are carrying food and comforts to the sick and Borrowing
and proving that this is beautiful world after all.
How warm and comfortable the old home seemed after
you return. There were smells floating from the kitchen
that made you ravenous Mother had on big apron and
was bastng the turkey Every time the door swung
back cloud Of fragrance was emitted that made You
weak.
FINALLY there was the family ut the table Father with
his kindly smile and white hair ut the head mother with
her spectacles on her forehead behind the teapot.
I "Now father" she said and the good man bowed his
head and uttered prayer of Thanksgiving that should
live with you your dying day. 1t prayer stripped
OF cant and ypocracy and surely il it went straight to the
Great White Throne that you believed and still believe is
somewhere He thanked God for YOU, for his beloved
wife, for his ability to labor and for all that might be- he
thanked his Maker. Amen.
Yes there was heart in IT, and sincerity, and hope and
trust There were in mothers eyes for she realized
that for two at that table the end Of the journey al
most in sight.
Won couldnt forget tho dinner Father carved the tr
key and told funny story that made you laugh even
though you had heard many times You had dark meat
ana light meat and plenty Of stung and all tho trim
snns and when IL was all father leaned back and
ssds III IN not hungry and don't think I'll cat any din
per" OF course you laughed That his oldest joke