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THANKSGIVING.' Upon the frozen, fruitless ground, Above a treasure he had found, A robin sang; Sucii rapture swelled his tender throat The dull air quivered with his note; The silence rang With melody so high and long He seemed to be incarnate song; He seemed to thirst— So tame ho was as I drew near— That all the heavens and earth should hear The grateful burst. No alderman at turtle feast Nor hungry man o’er smoking beast Such bliss could know';. No parching traveler on the sand, Discovering w ater near at hand. More joy could show. No juicy fruit nor dainties ripe Had thus attuned his little pipe To thank the Lord; Twas but a bunch of withered berries ’ Dr uimutritious, starveling cherries That spread his board! That robin’s rapturous merriment Exposed man’s selfish discontent In its true feature; That day a sermon rare and good Was preached in aisle of somber wood By feathered creature. And often when I bow my head In thankfulness for bounties spread And look on high, I walk once more as in my youth Aud hear again in very truth That robin’s cry. —Irving Browne. THANKSGIVING. ITTLE Kate Weaver 1 walk «d wearily U. through the rich light rS | of a November sunset jn with a basket of chest nuts on her arm. She had been gathering them, with the as sistance of Dick Burns, the blacksmith’s boy, for the morrow evening, for every thing eatable or drinkable which was con sidered “good” would he pressed into service through the hours of the Thanks giving now so near at hand. Throughout the year the inhabitants of Rush top were, as a general thing, plain livers, but on Thanksgiving Days they stuffed themselves as they did their poultry. And so Kate Weaver hoped to sell her nuts. At home—her home—there was to be na Thanksgiving Day kept. That is, re garding it as a feast. Kate had a vague hope that if the nuts sold well she would have a “cup of tea and some baker’s gingernuts for supper.” But, after all, almost every one had nuts already, so the sale was slow. A pint to a greedy child cents’ worth an old woman, who by herself in almost as poor a little house as that Kate lived iu—and here it was sunset, and not nuts enough to pay the labor yet sold, It would have been better to have gone out sewing. Kate was worn and weary and always timid; she shrank from approaching the door of the “hotel”—dubbed thus by the landlord. It was “the tavern” elsewhere. But the remembrance of her sick sister's pinched, paleface arose before her. The tea aud the baker’s cake and the little bowl of arrowroot would do her so much good. She put her face iu at the open door and said timidly: “Chestnuts, sir?” WINt5 1 ’v v 3-' ZJ- \ -1* =v assb JtJ J/J/T § i Aud a man in a blue jacket, who stood at the bar, turned. “Nuts, eh?" he cried. “Well, I’m your man. How much are they, lass?” Kate answered the price by the pint. “Hang pints!” said the man. “I'll take the whole mess. Steer this way, my lass, and pitch your basket full over board into this handkercher, aud there’s two dollars for yo«. v “They are not worth that much, sir,’’ said Kate. “Bother!" said the man. “Why, a marine wouldn’t take change from a lass like you, Thanksgivin’ eve. Keep it, Lord Ipve ye. Only I’d like a buss from them red lips into the bargain." Kate retreated hastily. The man was plainly tipsy, and she was a little afraid, But she was thankful in spite of all. At her poor seamstress work she earned so little the money seemed a great deal. It SCHLEY COUNTY NEWS. was a perfect Godsend to her. Shehur ried along the street to the grocer’s and walked in as a new-made millionaire might. “A quarter of green tea and a pound of sugar,” she said with an air, wonder ing whether a pound of ham would be an extravagance, “And a paper of ar rowroot if you please.” The grocer took the small order with a nod and answered: “In a minute,” and Kate looked about her. The shop glistened with its Thanksgiving dressing up. The tea-caddies, with their gilt mandarines, the Chinese ladies, were splendid objects. The gas was turned Oil in every burner. Pyramids of apples, clusters of raisins and piles of almonds decked the window, and for the first time in a long while she was absolutely to have a share in the good things on ex hibition. m m §7£l ! ' pJ % i\|S TF* [ii; an TV.. She felt almost happy. Who kuew but a “streak of luck” might come, and she should be rich some day. The clerk was ready for her now. XJe put her tea in white paper, her sugar in brown and dabbed the paper of arrow root on the counter with a “there you are.” “Anything more, miss?” he asked, and growing quite extravagant, said: ii i Yes, a candle and two of these large ? n Then she proffered her two dollar bill. young fellow looked at it and whistled. “This is vour little game, eh?” he “'Twon’t do with us. If you warn’t a gal, I’d call the police. Don’t ; it agin, I warn you?” “Try what—what is it?” asked Kate, “As if you didn’t know it was coun cried the man. “Come, don’t innocent. There’s the door. Why, a blind man couldn’t he took in by that lie tossed the bill, all crumpled up, to her and took away her purchases. Kate understood what was the matter. "I did not know it was bad. It was given to mo in payment for some nuts," said Kate. “The man will change it, I am sure. „ “You’d better trv,” , „ said ., the ,, clerk, , . sneeringly, . . and . Kate -.j- , ran out , of , the ,, store . and back to the tavern, , but . the ,, man was Only , the ,, i landlord there. TT He gone. was sympathized. t, ., . , “I in sorry, „ ’ , he said. ., “I wish I d had a look at it. Poor thing. ... It’s T ,, too , , bad. , He IT , s a regular , rascal, , t) I’ve no aoubt. j i , You ought ,. to , , be careful , , about . , i bills, There » .lot of bud ones gomg. . „ And with this end to her day s work and . . work, . ,, Kate , crept back to , her evening s siek sister and the wretched meal of dry bread. “Not even Thanksgiving could bring any good to her,” she thought, and she could not sleep, but sat with her face pressed against the glass, thinking of the past and of the future. The last was dark, but she had been happy once—very hap py. They had had a home and she had been its pet, its best beloved. She had worn pretty dresses, and had never known the want of any luxury. And then, too, in those bright days of her seventeenth year, she had had a lover. Still, through all her poverty she had kept his ring on her finger, and his mem ory at her heart. Poor Charlie Nichols! He was drowned at sea on that first voy age—for the ship was never heard of from the time it left the dock. He was dead, aud so were all the rest—mother and father, and boy brother—only her sick sister and herself were left upon the earth. The tears fell fast upon her clasped hands. “Thanksgiving! How could they give thanks?” She was only twenty now, yet life was quite over. Nothing could ever come to her hut woe. Even the humble feast she had hoped for so, little as it was, had been snatched from their lips. Oh, the cruel man! the cruel man 1 did he know how poor they were? And at last, ill with weeping, she crept into the wretched bed and slept. And, perhaps because she was hungry, >die. dreamt all night of Thanksgiving feasts and merry-making, and music and dancing, and smiling faces and love greetings. And out of it she awoke to the con ciousness of her misery. ‘ ‘Thanksgiving Day. Oh, Carrie, •what have we to be thankful for?” she asked. But the sick girl answered, humbly: “A great deal, if we will only try to think so. God is good to us all. IIow many are worse off than we?” Kate shook her head. She could not feel that this was so. And she heard the church hells ring, with thoughts she would not have put into words for the world—despairing, wretched, almost wicked thoughts. Why should God give all good to others and so much woe to them? * At the same hour a sailor tumbled out of his berth on board the steamship Rising Wave, and rolled into the Cap tain’s presence as speedily as possible. “I’d like to go ashore this morning, Cappen,” he said. “You were ashore,” said the Captain, “yesterday.” “I know it,” said the sailor, “But, ye see, I cheated a girl out of $2, and I ain’t easy in my mind. That is how ’twas, Cappen. I'd been drinking too much—” “Leave you alone for that,” said the Captain. “That's the truth,” said the sailor, “and I was in a tavern along with Sam and Bill, and two more mates, when in came a gal with nuts. I bought ’em, and b y accident, Cappeu, I gave her a bad bbb Where I board they gave it to me, and won’t take it back. I found out arter I was aboard that I’d give it to the gal, and I can't sail leaving a thief’s name ashore.” The Captain smiled and gave Tom leave to go. % r\ sr. it m v-fe'Sk. Girt—— , $ 1 frfr Hi <1 !! t I aJB I V »> And 50 “ chanoc<1 that - “ werc 1,orae to dinncr from c > mrci ’ and Kat0 " as hcr llcad beside ‘k* empty hearth, a knock came at the door, aud . it, ., she , sailor. opening saw a “Youre „ , the . lass!” ....... he cried. “Yes, your J the lass. I asked for ye J at the tavern, ’ and they J sent me here. I didn , t mean to cheat ye. J I hope you and , the , other young women know that. , Here , T • s a good , bill, ... and . Ill T „. burn . the , other ,. to , mistakes, . for there gettiu’ . , it . save ’ s no off on them that w gave it. Then he stared ThanksgiJ at the empty fire-place. • Ain s> he said to himself. . “I m afraid they re in wa ^’’ then ^ cyg wcnt roving around th e room and lit upon a tiny daguerreo type upon a shelf “Is that one of you, miss?” he asked. “Y r es, I see it is—and might I be bold enough to ask your name? ’Tain t im pudence—I’ve a reason.” Kate gave her name. “It’s the same,” said the man. “See here, miss, do you know Captain Nichols —Captain Charles Nichols—that went to sea before the mast four years ago?” Kate screamed and clasped her hands. “I see you do,” he said, “and I’ve got news to tell him that’ll make his heart glad. He’s been searching for you for months. In every town we've been in, he’s looked for you up and down, and high and low, aud I’ve helped him, and only yesterday he says to me: -<Sv -Ow P \ V «■ V y? 25 gnao / r. u n MM \ I II I ml i i i Kill r is, “ ‘Tom, it's no use. I’ll never find her. She's dead or married—and lost to me forever.’ “And the tears were in the Cappen’s eyes when he said so. Don’t keel over, miss - . Have a drop out o’ my flask. I say, young lady in the arm-chair, what shall I do with her?” And Tom was in a dilemma, for Kate had fainted. But it was joy and not grief that over came her, for she knew that her Thanks giving Day had dawned at last. And before the actual day was over Kate was clasped in her lover’s arms,and Carrie had felt a brother's kiss upon her lips, and not only had the greatest grief and trial of Kate's life happiness ended with her lover’s return, but want and poverty were over for them forever. And in the care and comfort of her sister's married home, roses returned to Carrie's cheeks, and two happier women are not to be found under the sun. Suggestions for Thanksgiving Day. Remember that as your thankfulness is largely measured by the quantities of Thanksgiving fare you consume, you should Eat heartily of turkey And much appetite evince When you tackle chestnut stuffing And the pie that’s made of mince. As all the houses of worship will be open upon this day of gratitude, it is well to note that It isn’t right to leave the Gentle clergy in the lurch; So have your wife and children Represent you in the church. And while they are there see to it that they show that you do not forget the poor. To accomplish this you must take care That when they start for service They are furnished well with tin So that when the plate is passed them They may drop a nickel in. Iu the midst of your pleasures do not entirely forget business. Remember that this is the time of the year to buy your winter’s coal, and When you go about it, see You surely lay enough in, For if you don’t you’ll suffer like The shivering ragamuffin. And while your mind is on business bent, do not forget that Christmas comes around almost on the heels of Thanksgiv ing, and that, as the father of a family, it behooveth you To rake and scrape your dividends And place them under lock, So that you’ll have the wherewithal To fill the baby’s sock. In conclusion we have only to say that that there can be no reason for doubt That wise and reasonable men Will find it safe to bet, If they but follow out our hints, That they’ll be happy yet. —iVeiu York Sun. The Day After Thanksgiving. $ g§ cm % ’ */?■ EA. ff m ■< ■Ami. i j nT - rt Bf ■ / 'i “N YIrs. Gobbler—“These look like the remains of my old man.” How the Day Was Established. Mrs- Sarah .T. Hale, who was for many years editor of Godey't Ladies' Bool ;, is credited with the establishment of the National Thanksgiving day. She began as far back as 1841, writing to the Gover nors of the States, urging them to issue Thanksgiving proclamations, until in 1859 the day was observed in all the States but two. President Lincoln is sued the first National Thanksgiving pro clamation after the fall of Vicksburg, the day set apart being August fi, ISCIJ. Since that time the Presidents have ap pointed the last Thursday of November as the National Thanksgiving Day. An Informal Repast. “I suppose,” said Mrs. Brown, “you would like me to wear a new dress at this Thanksgiving dinner you are gomg to give?” “Can't afford it,” growled old Brown. “As long as you have the turkey well dressed you will pass muster." Don't count your turkey before it is carved, for it may go back oa you. Hands. Two dimpled hands Outstretched in (jlee, As pink and as white As shells of the -oa! Oh, softiy caress them Aud well, for I wish That such tiny hands Were made to kiss! Two slender hands All dazzling with gems _ As soft and as whit» As lilies on then’ stsms, O, lovingly clasp them And kiss—for 1 ween That such dainty hands Thou never hast seen. Two toil-worn hands On a pulseless t>r asi So hard and so brown— Tired hands now at rest! O, reverently fold them, For she’s gono to stay Where the weary old hands Ar at rest ter aye. —Avgusta Wall in Atlanta Constitution, HUMOROUS. The path of duty—Through the cus. tom house. Speaking about “cotton bagging” is it at the knees. When a mustard plaster sets up j n business it generally Jiai the drawing room all to itself. The world may owe you a livin but no bad debt agency will undertake to collect it for you. She—And will you always love me? All the live-long day? He—Ye-e-s, I think so. You’ll give me a chance to stop for meals, I suppose? Editor—“I cannot think and use the type-writer at the same time." Rival Editor—“Then you find the type-writer no better than the pen.” Mrs. Smithingtou—Oh! Mr. Tibkin, you are always so kind m coming to see me off. Little Tibkin—Not at all; it is always such a pleasure. “Healthy iu our town? I should think so! We have had only one funer al for ten years, and that was the doc tor, who literally starved to death." Johukin—1 hear you belong to an ac cident insurance society? Tomkin— Y"es, I joined over six months ago, aud deuce take it, 1 havn't got hurt yet. The man who tries to study out a knitting work pattern in the household magazine knows about how a woman feeh when she is trying to understand a printed base ball score. There are no less than 857 different terms in the English language which express the state of being in love, and the sweet young authoress of the glow ing society novel utilizes them all. “Take her, my son, and be happy,” said the fond father, with a paternal smile. < l Oh, yes, I’d take her, 1 ’ said the overjoyed, but philosophical young man, “and I’ve no doubt,” he added with a sigh, “that we shall be happy— for a while.” Houses Used as Fuel. The people of Central and Northern Iowa will long remember the horrible winter of 1872-73, when there was such dire suffering anting them from the unprecedented cold. I was in that country then, and 1 have a very vivid recollection of the rigors of that season. I was living at the town of Adel, Dal las County. The country is railroaded now, and it will never be possible for such scenes to be witnessed there again. Those days there were no railroads, pa 8 senger transportation being by stage. During the winter the cold was so -e vere that quite a number of stage driv ers were frozen to death. In Adel there was a famine ot fuel, and it became a serious question what the pople would do. After all the coal and wood was gone resort was had to corn in the ear, which cost seven cents a bushel. D looked sinful to me to see such a valua ble food product blazing in the fires, but there was no help for it. Coon River, whence wood was usually brought to Adel, was forty miles away, and the trip was question in the pre vailing temperature. Pretty soon, how ever, another difficulty arose. The corn was gone. Then in their extremity the people began burning i licit- houses. This was done by lot. For instance, my next neighbor and ] drew lots t0 see whose house should be burned. lost, and so wo dismantled his house for fuel, while he and his family moved into my house with me. [f 1 had 1°*‘ the rule would have worked the other way. 1 don’t want any more lows weather, Missouri is good enough a 111 * amply cold for me. —Bhi(addvh^ Record.