Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-28
A Thanksgiving Story

- ~ 1AN 1ANNa
They were all at the table eating din
ner. the Saturday before Thanksgiving,
mamma, papa, Teddy, aged 10, and Glydes,
aged 8.
Mamma" cried Mr.. Birch, here's
a letter I almost forgot to give to you"
As he spoke he handed the letter to Mrs.
Birch. She examined the postmark care
fully.
We'll" she exclaimed, "this is from
Riverdale, who lives there, children?"
Granny" they exclaimed in chorus.
Mrs. Birch opened the letter carefully,
as she did so a sweet scent Of rose leaves
filled the air.
Read it out loud. please do, mumsy,"
pleaded Teddy.
This is what the letter said:
Riyerdale, Mass, Nov. Is, 1909.
For several years owing to my illness. I
have been unable to have any Of my man
doctor said this year I was well enough
to have a few. VIII you please send
Teddy and Glydes TO my house November
", which Is Monday and spend all Thanks
giving week with me. And IL convenient
you and your husband also spend Thanks
giving with me.
helped me much in my hours of pain.
Cousin Maria, with her children, have
started for Europe to spend the winter.
1890 LAA0 u NAACsh " ~ VI WHICH,
will you please buy and send with the
children: one dozen hyacinth bulbs, etc,
500 The remaining dollar is for charity.
P. SWIM send for them Monday morn
ing.
You'll let us go won't you." said Glydes
eagerly.
And see the turkeys, mamma, and the
tinsy weeny pigs and Rover and the new
pony that's blind" cried Teddy.
Well I will If you win consent" said
Mrs. to Mr.. Birch quite overcome.
IF you are real good till then you may
CO." said Mr.. Birch. who had secretly in
tended to let them go. Now go and
play"
The suitcase was packed Sunday after
noon, also the things grandma had or
dered, for the impatient children, Monday
seemed a year away. But at last Monday
came, the children were up bright and
early. At z the Jingle of sleigh bells was
heard and up dashed a large roomy cutter
filled with soft furs and blankets. It
stopped in front of the gate and out Of It
jumped John. the hired man. He bundled
in the two children and with many good
byes, the cutter started.
Rlverdale is a small town about fifteen
miles from Boston where Glydes and
Teddy lived. Grandma lived three miles
out in the country, so the children had
quite a ride. II was nearly noon when
the sleigh drew up before a lapge old
fashioned house, painted white, with a
large porch, at the bay window in front
Glydes espied grandma with her wreath
Of white hair, framed with flowers that
grew on the ledge.
Running in, what a welcome was theirs.
also a large. hot Inner. Teddy ate TIL
as he said, he was ready to bust"
How fast the days went till Thanksgtv-
ing. The attic was explored, the barn, the
sheds, everything. On Thanksgiving
morn all went to the village church except
Grandma. When they came home no one
was allowed to go in the drawing room.
The children Of course were very curious.
As the clock struck - Glydes and Teddy
marched into the dining room.
why, grannie," exclaimed Teddy, the
table Is set for at least fifty"
II guess there is some mistake, take the
two places at the head of the table" re-
piled grandma smiling.
When the children were seated she threw
open the drawing room door, a long pro-
cession marched in, there were mamma,
papa, cousin Harry and Betsy and so many
others they couldn't keep count.
What a delightful dinner 1t was, there
was turkey, pumpkin, mince. lemon and
cream pie, cranberry sauce, dressing, both
sweet and Irish potatoes, jelly, preserves.
etc. but last and best Of all, ice cream,
nodded into the shapes of pink roses and
flowers, trees, turkeys, animals and birds,
was brought in.
After dinner sleds were brought out and
what a jolly afternoon they had. After a
lunch, a large bob sled was brought in
front OF the house and all were taken
home, but Glydes, Teddy, Harry and Betsy.
Harry and Betsy lived in New York.
At the end Of the week, much TO the
dismay OF both Glydes and Teddy, they
had to go home, declaring they were com
ing next Thanksgiving and stay a month.