The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-11-23
A Thanksgiving Dream
BY Gertrude ROdermOnd.
IN GRATITUDE STREET.

BY Gertrude Rodermond.
"I'm powerful glad to see that nr
light in the windQw-it's like the light
O Heaven in this November drizzlc."
muttered the old New Englander to him
self. stretching forth hand scanned
with plow 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 its real significance
dawned upon him, and he sighed,
Il WISH" he mused aloud, that 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 shnky-what
If should be mistaken after all? Now,
that thar CANDLE" gazing intcntly 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 / swan I'd almost
forgive his getting off with the fowl
money if he'd come back tomorrow
just to reward the love back o that
ar light
For moment he took n 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.
piln1 liuli in tho hupa tirpplnpp
"WGll. this is comfort" and stepping
to the fireplace, he dropped into high
backed rocker. Mother, mother" he
called.
'Is 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. \ 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 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
Ms he cazed intently at the fire. After
an interval of painful silence he rose.
gave n weary yawn. then kissing Mar
thy on either check, slowly climbed the
high. narrow stairs and went to bed.
Sitting alone in the freight. strange
thouchts thronged that mothers mind.
Two wears before there was n scene in
.bot verv room she would foin forgot.
Eormer Sloan had entered tho bouse
calling TO her from the porch that he
had laid the market money unon the
kitcbcn table. and bode her toke cara
of II She was husiIv cordino wool /,
IN outer room and did NOT heed tho cam.
mond. Finally she nscended the stairs
and goiry straight to tho kitcbon tohIe
locked for rho money. but not n trace of
II was visible. The kitchen door had
hoen left open-ccrtainly by her husbo nd
and sbo called imnntientlv IN Josonh
who wos dressing in an INNER chomber
to take Eliza upon the last drive shc
was IN enjoy as Miss Eliza" and think.
inc be was playjnp one of bis childish
urorl,s unon her. she called in voice
nnnsnollv harsh. The Young man hast.
onod to her. his ewes flashing fire
"lIother do Won think / am a bov
ocoin to tease Won in tbis wovg,
before she could speal, her husband
,hroy wide tho door and loo,,ing into
hor noIlid face surmised the cause and