The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-24
A Great Discovery On Thanksgiving

look at were lying about the turkey
and celery. Then Florence opened
the basket and found an old-fashioned
fruit cake and cold plum pudding.
She knew where these had come
from. A neighbor, Mrs. Jones, baked
these CONNECTIONS every holiday-time
for customers who liked the old
fashioned things to eat Evidently Mr..
Heart had given this order some days
ago.
AT breakfast, Florence said nothing
about the preparations her father had
made for the days dinner. She felt
a bit put out over 1t, since she had
advised his leaving things as they
were. And just as Mr.. Heart began
to ask her what she thought of the
basket and the box, a shrill ring
came at the door and Mr.. Heart hur-
ried to open 1t, thinking that his wife
had arrived. But neighbor man
stood there, looking white and ner-
vous. Mr.. Heart" he stammered,
have you heard of the wreck on the
r. and p. railroad-the train that
was due here at seven forty-6ve? It's
seven thirty now
Mr.. Heart went white, and q lump
train his wife was doubtless on. He
hurriedly asked for particulars of his
neighbours story.
Why, you know my nephew. Sam,
Is operator down at the depot. He
just got the news and 'phoned 1t up
to us. My wife knew you were looking
for Mrs. Heart home on that very
train. So l came to bring you the
news. which of course, is not yet all
in. The report of the spread rail. of
some of the coaches tumbling into
the creek, is authentic, but no partic-
ulars as to life and limb. Well hope
that Mrs. Heart was not aboard the
train, but If SO, that she is unhurt."
Mr.. Heart rushed into the living
room and called to Florence and re-
peated to her what their neighbor had
told him. Say not a word to the
boys he admonished. They're so
young, and there's no use telling them
anything till we have to-" Then he
got his coat and hat and ran to the
station for fuller news.
After her father had gone, Florence
rushed upstairs to her own room and
threw herself on the bed, weeping as
though her heart would break. oh,
suppose something terrible had hap
pened to her darling mother! oh,
how she loved her mother! How
happy she was in her societyl Then
she sat up and began to think. Just
yesterday she had declared she had
nothing to be thankful fort And she
had the dearest, most tender mother
and father girl could have. And
now-maybe one of them had been
snatched away from her! All, IL only
she could have today as yesterday,
how different would she speak about
her Thanksgiving. She would know
that she had everything worth while
to be thankful for-her mother. her
father and her two mischievous
brothers, who were so loving and
good. Yes, when she had had them
all she had not valued her possession.
But now she knew how rich she had
been but a few short hours ago.
With a groan she fell upon her
knees and began to pray. to pray as
she had never prayed before. She
first asked forgiveness for not feeling
happy when possessing such a kind
pair of parents. Then she prayed for
her mothers safe return. Never,
never shall / be ungrateful again."
she sobbed. "Oh, how happy would
be If Mamma darling should come
into the room this minute, sweet and
smiling as of old
Just then the door opened and in
walked both her mother and father.
and instantly Florence was in the
mothers arms. Then her father ex-
planned that the old gentleman who
had brought the news of railroad
wreck had made a grave mistake
The wreck had been done to a freight
train, and several carloads of mer-
chandise had rolled into the creek.
but not a soul was hurt.
Florence looked bravely into her
fathers eyes, then into her mothers;
then she said: i've been a mean,
selfish, vain, thankless girl, and 1t has
taken a terrible shock--a dreadful
fear--to bring me to my senses. But
from today / shall know how rich l
am I do believe I'm the happiest
girl on earth this minute And she
Rugged her mother once more. And
II am dying to get into the kitchen
to help with our Thanksgiving din
ner. 1 know there never has been
such a dinner as we shall have this
day.
Just then Teddy and Jack came
bullying into the room. They had not
neaTQ WoTQ ABOUT Inc TdllTOdu
wreck. and had been playing about in
the, freshly-fallen snow in the back
yard, and did not know their mother
had returned till neighbor boy
called out to them that he had seen
her arrive in the town bus.
But, say, what's the matter with
FLOP" cried Teddy. She's been cry
ing
Tears of gratitude. dearie." said
Florence, kissing the soiled cheek of
Teddy to his great wonder. "And,
Teddy. dear. Sis is going to help to
make you the bestest dinner you ever
sat down to. Won't we have a rous-
ing Thanksgiving. though %
And MIR. and Mrs. Heart nodded
and smiled. and Mrs. Heart said
through her own tears: Eyes, dar-
ling, we'll have a fine Thanksgiving
and from now, every day shall be one
of true thanksgiving"
~ D~