The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1905-11-25
IN GRATITUDE STREET.
A Thanksgiving Dream
BY Gertrude Rodermond.

I'm powerful glad to see that ar
light In the window-it's like the light
o Heaven in this November drizzle,"
muttered the old New Englander to him
self, stretching forth a hand scanned
with pillow wrestling. to extricate an UNI
orella twisted in some bushes.
Farmer Sloan had seen that light in
the window for the past two years, but
not until now had its real significance
dawned upon him, and he sighed.
Il WISH" he unused aloud, that had
half the faith in that ar boy that Marthy
has. Two years this Thanksgiving since
he went away, an Marthy-but pshawl
all mothers are like that-still some
times 1t makes me little shaky-what
if l should be mistaken after all7 Now,
that thar CANDLE" gazing intently at the
speck of shining light becoming lighter
as the distance diminished, sis thar for
Joseph. | dreamed last night that he
wuz home agin, an l swan I'd almost
forgive his getting off with the fowl
money IL he'd come back tomorrow
just 20 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 SO
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
| 70 ha h. fuf0
backed rocker. Mother, motherv' hi
called.
as that you, fayther?" called a 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 al
enthusiasm and agility that would hav'
!, done credit to twenty-one, and folded
the pretty, thrifty little housewife in hi
arms.
"Who's a-comin' tomorrow, mother? 2
he asked.
ELIZA; and many times my hear
would have broken but for her faith AM
cheering words, and this, in the face o
the fact that her intended husband wa
driven away as a thief upon her wedding
day, proves Joseph made no mistak
i when he decided to add q daughter t
our household. She will be here tc
{ morrow, and 1 have fixed up Joe's roor
r for her."
A shadow crossed the old mans fac
as he gazed intently at the fire. Afte
an interval of painful silence he ROSE
gave a weary yawn, then kissing Maj
thy on either cheek, slowly climbed tn
high. narrow stairs and went to bed.
Sitting alone In the freight, strang
thoughts thronged that mothers minC
! Two years before there was a scene
) that very room she would fain forge
Farmer Sloan had entered the hous'
, calling to her from the porch that h
had laid the market money upon tn
kitchen table, and babe her take car
of it. She was busily carding wool
an outer room, and did not heed the con
Q mand. Finally she assembled the stail
: and going straight to the kitchen tab
b looked for the money, but not trace
e il was visible. The kitchen door ha
+ been left open-certainly by her husban
7, and she called impatiently to JOSEPH
= who was dressing in an upper chamb'
J. to take Eliza upon the last drive sh
n was to enjoy as Miss Eliza" and thinl
e ing he was playing one of his childis
IS pranks upon her, she called in a voiC
II unusually harsh. The young man has
ened to her, his eyes flashing fire.
"Mother, do you think l am a be
again to tease you In this wayr'
Before she could speak her husbar
threw wide the door and looking I'M
e her pallid face surmised the cause an
y roared:
l. "Joe, hand out that money!
d "Father, l swear before heaven ar
r mother, l have not touched your none
IS have not seen it"
The old man strobe forward an
grasped his son by the collar.
IS "None O. that" he roared, give 4
that money, or you leave this house 70
Re ever, an that gal for whom you ha'
stolen it will never darken these doors
= "Oh. fayther, don'tr' shrieked the te
: rified wife. Joseph never touched tn
Il money-I'n never believe itr'
n "You lIer' cried the father, enraged
the verge of insanity.
Instantly the strong young man gra
/ pied with his aged parent, and clutchil
I him by the throat forced him into Il
} chair upon which he had been sittin
shouting:
L Take that back. fatherl Take tn
back or I'll choke the breath out Of 20
body"
Like lightning the mother wrenched
strong hands from her husbands throI
and fiinging her arms about his nee
4 held him as in a wise.
"Joe-my darling baby. for mothe
sake don't lay your hands on fayth'
1 He's wrong. but remember you are you
Hand his son, and something is due
old ageg'
"For your sake. mother. l will desi
but l leave this house, and never sh
1 he see my face again. If l stay it W
mean-murderp And picking up
/ hat ne left the house, striding rapiC
I down the hill, going in the direction
Uiza's home.
At the click of the garden gate
4 pretty. demure looking maiden, clad
Il pink frock. ran down the walk
greet him, but started in dismay at
4 flushed face.
Taking her into small grove ado
1 ing her hons, unmindful of wraps, Il