The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-11-30
ne Hsls and 1ptslIieeacer.
BEL AIR, Md. NOV. 80. 1906.
A Thanks giving Of The Ninety and Nine.
[coxT1NUED FROM FIRST PAGE ]

fast-the grave does. Think what you
might have to reflect upon"
Il, Liddy-I"
"YcS. And there are more folks III
some old houses than one can see al
ways They come back. There's been
dead soldier here already. | saw
him. And last night heard the latch
of the back door lift up three times"
ooh. Liddy! Nothing can ever harm
us if we do just right 1t was Annie
that went wrong, not |. What do you
suppose made the latch lift up? Lid,
dy, you go straight to your duties and
never answer your mistress back
again, not on Thanksgiving day nor on
any other day"
The rooms filled Brothers and sis
tiers, nephcws and nieceS, came, ana
some of the guests offered to help the
women folks about the house.
The hand of the brass clock was
moving around toward -. A savory
odor filled the room. Little Liddy fit
ted to and fro, handling hot dishes
briskIy so as not to get "scalded."
There was jingle in the new brass
clock. Then it struck, and the farmer
raised his hand, and everybody stood
still.
Twelve!
"Now, if you will all be seated at the
tables" said Farmer Overield. II will
supplicate blessing"
He did. Prayer has long journey
around the world on Thanksgiving day.
He arrived ct last at call who have
gone astray, but that are still part of
the visible creation"-his mind wavered
here-"grant 'em all repentance and
! make us charitable" he said in lower
voice.
There was a sound in the corner Of
| the room. The clock case quivered.
Farmer Overfield became nervous H.
this part of his long prayer, opened his
eyes and said:
"Oh! l thought l heard something
somewhere. Where was L? Liddy, she
says that she heard the latch lift in the
| night. didn't know
Just here there was crash Of dishes.
Little Liddy had seen the clock case
| power Just us she was very carefully
moving some dishes.
Accidents will happen" said Farm
er Oyerfield. Now all fall to and help
| yourselves. 1t seems like old times to
find all the family here again just as 1t
| used to be--all except Annie, Annie,
| Annie. Her name has not been spoken
today | shall keep this plate and seat
for her here close by my side. Annie's
heart is true to me still. l seem to feel
that. | wish she was here today. The
true note of Thanksgiving is lacking in
| broken family. There can be no true
| thanksgiving where there is an empty
chair that might be filled. l shall al
ways take Anne's part"
| He stood, knife and fork in hand, the
| tears running down his face.
There was little shrek in the door
leading to the pantry.
Il saw something" said Liddy, with
| shutting eyes.
What did you see, Liddy|
",The sun and moon moving"
Massey. Where. Liddy?"
con the face of the clock. Something
is in there That clock comes to life
sometimes" she added. going out.
All eyes were turned toward the
clock. Knives. forks and spoons were
! laid down, clicking on the many dishes.
The top of the clock. which was I'M
covered. seemed animated. Some said
that they could see it move, others that
the supposed movement was merely
| matter of Imagination.
Liddy came into the room again with
more dishes
81 think" said she, that the clock
case is haunted.
"pshaw. I.iddy" said the farmer.
And what makes you say that? Who
is it that would haunt that old eight
day clock?'
"Cne of the Britishers who was shot
by IL bullet made from the lead
weights. That's my way of thinking.
I've known about it for long time"
"Liddy, you're little bit off-toucb'
ed in mind-that's what you are. Lid,
dy. You never was quite all there"
The dinner went on. but amid n merry
Gus atmosphere. Farmer Overfield felt
the disquiet and said to one of the
guests:
Cousin Lucy, you are waiting for a
place at the table | would give you
Anne's IL | could. but my heart won't
let me do that She might come back.
Sit down there at Annie's melodeon
and sing q little song. DO They Miss
Me at Home? That used to be one of
her songs-heaven knows why. l love
to hum that when am cutting corn. I
will get her to sing it to me If she
Her heart is good in the main. And we
must all put our arms around her for
that reason"
There was ripple Of reed music.
The girl sang to an old time accom-
panlment on the simple instrument:
when twilight approaches the season
| That ever is sacred TO song,
Docs some enc repeat my name over
And sigh that l tarry so long?
And Is there chord in the music
That's missed when my voice is way
And Il chord in each heart that awaketh
| Regret at my wearisoIne stay?
do they set me chair near the table
When evenings home pleasures are
| nigh.
When the candles are lit in the parlor
| And the stars in the calm, azure sky?
And when the good nights are repeated
And al lay them down to their sleep,
Do they think of the absent and watt me
A whispered good night while they
weep?
DO they miss me at home. do they miss
At morning. at noon or at night,
And fingers one gloomy shade round them
That only my presence can light?
Are joys less invitingly welcome
And pleasures less hale than before
Because one is missed from the circle,
Because am with them no more?"
| Mis- OvCrficld's lips Quivered.
That Is proper tender song" said
Farmer Ovcrficld has feeling"
There arose another nervous Shrek.
Knives and forks dropped.
What now. Liddy?" asked the farm
er. You set things all into agitation u
The house dog joined Liddy in the
new excitement. He ran under the ia
BILE and to the clock and began to paw
the case and to bark There was a
very happy. lively tone in his bark.
What did you see, Liddy?" asked
Mis- Overfield
THE planets turned. Look there
now-nOw-th there therev
| Nh,. Al.