The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-11-22
A Thanksgiving Dream


BY Gertrude Rodermoad.
"I'm powerful glad to see that Ar
light in the window-it's like the light
o Heaven in this November driEsle."
muttered the old New Highlander to him
self, stretching forth a hand scanned
with pillow wrestling, to extricate an UNI
brella twisted in some bushes.
Farmer Sloan had seen that light IN
the window for the past two years, but
not until now had it's real significance
dawned upon him, and he sighed.
II WISH" he unused aloud, shat l had
half the faith In that ar boy that Marthy
has. Two years this Thanksgiving since
he went away, an Marthy--but pshaw!
all mothers are like that--still some
times it makes me little shaky-what
If I should be mistaken after all? Now,
that thar CANDLE" gazing intently at the
speck Of shining light becoming lighter
as the distance diminished. us thar for
Joseph. l dreamed last night that no
WIZ home agin, an l swan I'd almost
forgive his getting OF with the fowl
money II he'd come back tomorrow
just to reward the love back o that
ar light"
For a moment he took a mental sur
vey of the pies and puddings seen in the
pantry in the morning, and wondered
why it was that Marthy had spent 30
much time In getting up the little cup
cakes no one ate but Joseph. He has
tened his tagging feet until he gained the
heights and entered the old colonial
kitchen. lighted by blazing walnut logs,
piled high in the huge fireplace.
"Wall, this Is comfort" and stepping
to the fireplace, he dropped into high
backed rocker. Mother, mother!" he
called.
"Is that you, fayther?" called 4 CHEEKY
voice from an upper chamber.
Before he could reply she ran lightly
down the stairs and was standing beside
him. A sigh of relief echoed through
the warm kitchen, and he rose with an
enthusiasm and agility that would have
done credit to twenty-one, and folded
the pretty, thrifty little housewife In his
arms.
"Who's a-comin' tomorrow, mother?'
he asked.
ELIZA; and many times my heart
would have broken but for her faith and
cheering words, and this, in the face Of
the fact that her Intended husband was
driven away as thief upon her wedding
day, proves Joseph made no mistake
when he decided to add q daughter to
our household. She will be here to-
morrow. and have fixed up Joe's room
for her"
A shadow crossed the old mans face
as he gazed intently at the IRE. After
an interval of painful silence he rose,
gave a weary yawn, then kissing Mar.
thy on either cheek, slowly climbed the
high, narrow stairs and went to bed.
Sitting alone In the freight, strange
thoughts thronged that mothers mind.
Two years before there was q scene In
that very room she would fain forget.
Farmer Sloan had entered the house,
calling to her from the porch that he
had laid the market money upon the
kitchen table, and babe her take care
Of Il. She was busily cardins wool In
an outer room, and did not heed the COM
maud. Finally she ascended the stairs
and going straight to the kitchen table
looked for the money, but not Z trace Of
| It was visible. The kitchen door had
been left open--certainly BY her husband
and she called impatientiy to Joseph,
who was dressing In an upper chamber
20 t.Ls Eliza upon the last drive she
w.s to snioy a. ..Miss Eliza" and think.
inv he was playing ono Of his childish
nrorLs mnon her. Abe called In = ycic1
rnu.ua,lv harsh. The yo,Iur man hast.
| ened to her, his eyes flashing IRE.
"Mother, do you think am q boy
| ..;n ~ tease Won in this vsvY
Refors she could sneak her husba nd
| .hraw vide the door and lookin. inf
hs, n.,lid face surmised the e. use ~