THE FARMER'S THANKSGIVING,
Sm—
The earth is brown and the skies are grays
And the windy woods are bare,
And the first white flakes of the coming snow
Are afloat in the frosty air,
But the sparks fly up from the hickory log
And the homestead's broad stone hearth,
And the windows shake and the rafters ring
# To the lads and the lasses’ mirth,
The farmer's face is furrowed and worn,
And his locks are thin and white,
Bat his hand is firm and his voices is clear,
And his eye is blue and bright
As he turns to look at his sweet old wife,
Who sits in the gown of gray,
With cobweb kerchlof and ereamy frills
She wore on her wedding day.
He bows his head to the luden board,
And his guests they are sllent all —
#Thanksgiving, Lord, for the rain and sun,
And the fruit on the orchard wall,
For the silver wheat and the golden corn,
And the star of a toilsome life,
The greatest blessing that Thou canst give
A true and loving wife!”
This white haired lover he beads to kiss
Her hand in its frill of lace,
And the faded rose on her wrinkled cheek,
With a proud and courtly grace,
And the snowflakes click on the window
pane,
And the rafters ring above,
And angels carol the iarmer's thanks
As they mount to the Gates of Love.
~—Minna Irving,
— TR.
dAVING'S
THANKS
RY 8. J. EDWARDS,
EFORE the great
the huge stone
chimney of Captain
John Folsom's
house there sat a
fair young girl on
a lowery morning
rr
of November, 177
ing & fat
the spit befor a log
fire, stood another
even fairer
she.
maidens, clad in coarse linsey woolsey
garments of homespun their hair con-
cealed except for a few locks that
wandered from beneath the linen
handkerchiefs with which it was pro-
tected, the sleeves rolled to the elbows,
revealing arms that were fair to look
upon, so white were they and of such
exquisite roundness, were busy with
the preparation of a feast, and the
natural tint of their cheeks, which was
as delicate as the peach blossom, was
heightened by reason of the heat that
came from the cracking logs.
She who stood at the door of the
bakeoven hesitated a moment and
turned her head slightly to one side
a8 though she listened. Then tossing
her hand gently, as though to indicate
that her ears had been misled, per-
haps by the wind without, she opened
the oven door and smiled as she per-
caived the fragrant odor which came
from the cavern within. With a broom
splint she penetrated the crust which
surmounted a great pie that she might
learn whether the baking was well
«done, and then she turned to her com-
panion and said:
“Twill be a fine feast for Uncle
John when he returns to-day. Surely
he said he would be back by noon.”
The maiden who had the spitted
goose on
BASTING A FAT GOUSE ON ThE spr.”
goose in charge paused for a moment
in her task ‘of anointing it with rich
gravy, and said :
“Father will be here, I know, if the
Lord permits, but in these dark days
that are upon us, Abbie, who can tell
what may happen to our militia,
parading here and tramping there that
they may observe the redcoats. Father
had, I think, some serious business
which led the company away last
night, and mayhsp he will not come
to sit at dinner with us. "Twill be a
sorry feast for us if we must eat alone,
How is the pie?”
“Tis nearly done, I think, and
such a pie was never made. "Tis full
of giblets, for you know that Uncle
John delights to eat them, covered
with the gravy of the dish.”
For some moments the maidens con-
finned these preparations, and then
she who was called Abbie went to the
window, and peering out for an in-
stant turned and opened the door,
which creaked with mighty moans as
it turned upon its rusty hinges.
“What is it that you hear, Abbie?”
the other.
“It seems to me that I hear the
h of the company, and still I do
; know but ‘tis the wind. See, the
pnow has begun to fall a little.” The
other maiden arose sand went to the
door, and stood side by side,
the highway to
, where t skirted
sill and jamb as would have delighted
the eyes of any of the young men of
that town.
“ "Mg true, Abbie; "tis true. I hear
their step, and surely that is Ephra-
im's fife.”
Abbie returned to the kitehen and
made preparations for the great table
to receive the bounty with which the
day was to be celebrated. while the
other maid stood awaiting the coming
of her father. She saw the company
as it marched around the bend in the
road, with her father at the head, and
she was going forth to meet them,
when of a sudden she halted. The
look of joy upon her face was changed
to one of wonderment, and she stood,
her head bent slightly forward, that
she might the better see, perplexing
and hesitating.
The company had come as near to
the farmhouse as the meadow that ad-
joined it on the west, and there they’
halted, and the maiden saw that one
was with them who was not of the com-
pany when they marched away the
night before. He stood alone, ereet,
constrained, and she perceived that his
hands were tied with thongs behind
his back. She saw her father talking
earnestly and seemingly directing two
or three men of the company to take
this man in charge, snd scarcely know-
ing what she did she approached her
father and was so near that
| before he saw her,
“Sir,” she heard her father say,
‘‘you were captured within our lines
without a passand having no authority
to be there. I am going to send you
with a guard to the commander of our
| army, who is in the camp a
| miles or so beyond.
{ have strayed, as you have said, within
our lines by accident.”
“What has he done, father?” the
girl asked, for she was filled with pity
vet so pleading in his manner.
{ “What Thankful, is it yon?
are yon here, my daughter?” said the
Captain.
“But this is no place for you. We
have a prisoner.”
“A prisoner! Surely he can do no
harm. He is not like an army man
and he seems well favored.”
“Nevertheless we found him wan
dering within our lines and there are
spies about and he mey be one of
those,”
““A spy? Surely, 1 think not.”
and stood before him in the innocence
of maidenly confidence and looked full
into his eyes, lifting her head to do so,
for he was tall and seemed to tower
far above her inhis splendid presence.
*You are no spy,” she said at last.
*‘No, my child, notaspy. I am an
who has
strayed within your lines. Thank you
for your sympathy. You have beauty
in your face, my child, but you have
what is better—you have sympathy.
The girl went back to her father and
she said:
‘‘Father, suppose my brother John,
who is somewhere in the Jerseys with
Washington, should by accident
captured by the redecosts. It would
break your heart and mine if they took
him for a spy. Burely there is truth
in this man's words. Come, bring him
with you. Don't you remember that
it is Thanksgiving Day, and that we
are to have a roasted goose and schicken
| pie, snd Abbie has baked a glorions
{| pumpkin pie? Let him come and be
| our guest, and I'll warrant he'll promise
me that he will make no effort to
| escape until vou hear from the General
{ what shall be done with him.”
! The Captain seemed to hesitate for
i 8 moment, and then turning to his
| prisoner he said: “Sir, I am myself
Yop
oe
It may be that you speak the
My daughter's intuitions are
i ner.
| truth.
i I shall send a messenger to the General
| with a dispatch telling of your eapture,
{ and then whatever he commands—that
twill T do. Meanwhile, sir, it is our
feast day. We are accustomed every
year after the harvest to give thanks
to the Lord and to eat a great feast
will be a prisoner, but I will take your
| escape.”
“You do me honor, sir. I give my
i parole to you, and, if I may be per.
mitted, to this fair meiden who has
| interceded for me.”
They unloosed his thongs, and when
his hands were free he stepped np to
Mistress Thankful and he took her hand
and grace of one who had been accus-
and gentle manners prevailed.
¥
| som's table,
and the British
being no longer under great restraint,
:
| tured gentle jests with Thankful and
| the meats and bounties with gentle dig-
‘nity and unconscious grace. And
| when she turned to converse more se-
war and its battles they Thankful and
ment for the preparation of the des
sert, glanced furtively at him and ex.
changed confidences that he was a
handsome man and well favored and
moreover very young for one of his
stature and of his rank, for it was
plain that he was a high officer.
In the afternoon there was gentle
merrymaking, and n Folsom,
being greatly impr with the man-
ifest honor and nobility of his pris
oner guest, had such confidence that he
at last said: “Sir, I do not know
whether your rank would it me
to eall you Captain or Major or Colo-
nel, for one of these offices I know
must be yours, You do not care to
tell us your name or your rank, bas I
willing to leave you for awhile with
these gentle guards, my daughter and
consequence in the village, which is a
few miles nway,*
——
roe WK
; ARE NO sPY,”" SHE SAID.
“I am grateful
’
for your confidence,
While
these maidens guard me 1 shall protect
them until vou return.”
“Will you promise obey us?”
to
‘In all things," he replied, bowing
with grace, and vet with the
dignity of gentle sport.
“I exact only sir,"
one promise,
turn.”
“f give that promise willingly.”
After Captain Folsom had gone
officer sought even
entertain
intuition taught
had found
looked upon
the more earnestly to these
and their
their charms
them with admiring glances, although
with the greatest courtesy and defer-
ence. He told them stories of Eng-
land which they were pleased to hear,
¢ ! there
and how the ways of those titled peo-
ple differed from the simple customs
nies, and he asked the maidens
things about their manner of life, and
it was plain to see that Mistress Than’
ful had already won his high regard,
“Tell me,” said he, “how is that
they call you Thankful? "Tis a pretty
name, and well given to you, 1 should
say, but I never heard it before I heard
them eall you by it."
*‘But it 1s not my name,” she said
““1 have heard my mother say that on
one Thanksgiving Day they sent to my
father, who was in the chureh, and
him hurry home, and he
came home he found me there, though
I was not there went he went away,
and so he said, as he held we up: ‘It
is Thanksgiviag Day. The Lord has
me these many vears, but
So her
pame shall be Thanksgiving since she
is born upon that day; snd that, sir,
is my name, although they eall me, for
the sake of Thankful.”
She said this with such modesty and
ans
54
bade when
been good to
he has been best to me to-day.
sbhortne Ra,
with snch delicious suggestion of grace,
and her cheeks were so gently flushed
and her eyes so bright, that the young
officer could not conceal the admira-
tion for her which had seized him, and
when she perceived it she turned away
with gentle coquetry Thus this
Thanksgiving afternoon, which had
promised to be sq dreary a time for
him, was one of joy, and when the
shades of evening came and the candles
were lighted the maidens and the voung
officer were like who had been
long acquainted.
In the evening the girls brought ap-
ples and nuts and cider, and they were
having a merry time, when of a sudden
Abbie arose and went to the door. Her
quick ears had detected a strange
sound. A moment later a lad came
panting into the room.
“Joook out, Thankful; they are com
ing to attack vou,” he said, scarcely
able to speak for lack of breath.
“They? Who? Who ean attack us?”
“Tis Ben Williams and his gang.
those
tured a lad a consin of Ben Williams
and for some reason they hanged
him, and now Ben is bound to have
he'll have him hanged to a tree for re-
venge."'
A moment later a young man with a
and he said : “Mistress Thankful, your
known to yon.
ing, I fear.
Let him go with me and I will hide
Thankful brought the officer's cloak
“I cannot
“But you must,
He will take you out and kill
can be concealed.”
But the officer would not stir, He
would only say that he had given his
pledge and he would not break it. In
an instant Thankful seem changed,
and the officer, even in the suspense
and terror of the moment, perceived
that she had assumed the manner of
one who had authority and can exer.
cise it. Bhe stood erect, her head
thrown back, her eyes very bright,
her cheeks now somewhat pale, and
she said: *'You must go, sir. 1 com-
mand it. Go with him. Hark. Don't
you bear that mob shouting? Yon
then as he did not stir she went up to
him pleadingly and with gentle man.
ner, not knowing seemingly what it
was she said or did; she put her hand
upon his arm with gentle touch, and
she said ‘Go, go; for my sake, go.”
“For your sake?’ he murmured, and
he seemed to hesitate,
turned to the guard and bade him lead
the officer forth. But at that moment
the ery of the mob was so distinet that
it revealed that escape was impossible,
Thankful bade the guard step in and
bolt the door, and commanded him to
use his musket if anyone should try to
force an entrance. And even as she
spoke the door was forced and an ugly
face was protruded, and some one
shouted :
musket.
the guard stood with the
defiance, In an instant Thankful had
made disposition of the officer,
fore he was aware what she was doing
{ she nad led him to the settle in the
chimney corner, and she bade kim to
i be seated there. None too
i the window was forced open and some
| one shouted: “Come out, you enr,or
{ we will shoot you where you are!”
i “Oh, you coward you cowsrd, Ben
| Williams! He has done you no harm,
{ and he is unprotected,” and Thankful,
speaking thus, placed herself so that
she stood directly before the officer.
There crash, a confusion of
sounds, for they were trying to force
the door. The officer, then realizing
that this fair maiden was protecting
him with her body, pushed her aside,
saving: ‘‘No, no; 1 cannot permit
Yon must not be injured. Let
me pase.” At that moment a musket
was discharged, and the officer, per.
that Thankful was reeling,
supported her in his arms. She had
received the shot instead of him,
BOG,
WHR A
CeIving
A moment later there was a mighty
shout, a great rushing noise, the door
was burst open and Captein Folsom
and some his company entered,
“What is this? What is this?" he said
‘Ah, uncle. jen Williams and his
gang are trying to capture the officer,
Thankful as she
Abbi » CTY
of
and they have shot
tried to prevent it,” said
ing bitterly.
“Williams, fake him awsy; bind
put him in the guardhouse with
1 shouted,
body of
“My
oh, my
him ;
his gang!” the Cag
then
his daughter he moaned, so
Thankful, my Thankful;
daughter. they have killed you
“They have killed her, sir, while
she was trying to save my hfe,” said
the officer, and he wept like a chiid
But she w dead, They lifted
her tenderly carried her to her
re gable roof and when
tain and
kneeling down over the
Yili
yom under the
they saw that she opened her eyes and
that oved they were re
¥ feed, there © praver ol
thanksgiving to God that He
spared her life that night
A few days later the order came
from the General instructing Captain
Folsom to deliver the prisoner under
his charge to the ontposts of the Brit.
her
and
lips m
was {
Jronx in exchange, for
it was demonstrated that he had told
the truth «hen he said that he had
straved within the patriot lines by ac
ish army at the
cident
As he
to Captain Folsom
to ask May 1 Mistress Thankful
for an instant alone?” It was permit.
He went and stood by her bed
“Thankful.”
It is not
$03 OO
was about to go awey he said
Ga
ted
side and took her hand,
said he, ‘1 am going away.
in thanks, for I am an officer inan
Bry opposed to yours, but 1 Wey say
this: 1 heard your unconscious con
sake, and your sweet words then ut
tered will be in my memory until 1
come back agsis when these battlesare
over,” and then he kneeled tenderly
over her and touched his lips to her
forehead.
When he
glance of exquisite joy which she could
not conceal, and he perceived that
gentle tears were conrsing down her
! ¢heeks, which she did not eare to wipe
away, and he knew they were tears of
joy.
Thanksgiving Day, a trayeler
mounted from his horse in front
Captain Folsom's forge-—for the Cap-
tain was a blacksmith in time of peace.
upon a maiden who was standing in
| the doorway. It seemed to him
| though the picture which he had seen
in that identical spot six years before
again,
“Thankful, my Thanksgiving.
come.”
“I knew yon would,” she said, and
with such gentle sweetness of manner
: that he took her to his arms.
It was a grievous sorrow to Captain
Folsom that his daughter Thankful
was compelled to leave him when sie
married this man whose life she had
saved, but it was a joy for him to know
I have
She had married Sir John Sterling, and
which were great, and there as long as
they lived, and to this day among their
| descendants, the last Thursday in
November in every year is celebrated
asa ft iving ceremonial, and in
the evening to the children every year
is told this romance of the day when
their grandfather and t grand.
father mot his rom. vy
te. —————]
A Roman consular army
com
two legions, each containing Sonprined
The unit of the legion was the mani
———
JESTS AND YARNS BY FUNNY
MEN OF THE PRESS,
Stringency Form sa Syndicate How
Those Girls Love One Another, Ete,
THE BAUNTERER,
Oh, tell me, brave aeronaut—
And tell me true, I pray
Why do you risk your precious life
In such a reckless way ?
The hero sadly smiled and said
‘““ A man, by harsh fate whirled,
Will risk his all, if only he
Can get up in the world.”
--{ Boston Budget
PROPORTIONED
Isabel
TO THE STRINGENCY.
Clarence, did papa look glad
me?
Clarence—Glad! His smile went three
times around his head and hung down
his back !—{Detroit News-Tribune,
FORM A BYNDICATE,
Barah— Yes, papa has looked up his
record and finds that the wretch
engaged three of us at this very
is
to
minute,
Agnes
splendid!
lnwyer and save quite a little,
News-Tribune,
(another vietim)—Oh, isn't it
Detroit
HOW THOSE GIRLS LOVE ONE
ANOTHER,
Penelope Pert— What makes you think
is in love with me?
He asks vou to
he
Jonstance Cloy i
Constance Clover sing.
A BAVAGE CUT.
Toft Hunter (of London, Englands
Is it—aw-—twue that youh Amewican
Indisns—aw —cawn't raise mustaches,
dontcher know?
Tony Adams (of Nebraska)—I don't
they can. But what's the matter
with some of the fine heads of hair they
raise
think
T00 EARLY.
“Been
“Yes.
**Catch anything?”
‘Yes’
“What
“a don’t know
doctor.’
fishing?’
yet
UNDER SURVE
“1 See Mrs. Skinflint
husband's miniature painted
it under her chin.”
inder her thumb.”
TICALLY HANDLED.
“Did you hear ab
china painter!”
“No: what §
“He has beer
chipa.”
“How is that?
“His wife's father fired him."
ut 5
A “corre povnie.”
Maisie— Mrs. Homeleigh, have you got
another face?
Mrs. Homeleigh—No
makes you ask
Maisie — Well, ¥
were two-faced; but I thought if vou
had another face you wouldn't wear the
ope you do
, my dear
ITHAD A PULL.
Groaning Customer—I wish I was like
that razor
Barber — Why sir
Groaning Customer
into politics.
I'm ju roing
[Chicago Reco
FORCE OF HARIT,
“Will you give me this little hand?”
‘* Reginald, this hand is
pledged,” she replied
“1 will redeem it."
already
he answered ab.
ticket,”
DISAPPOINTED,
“1 am very much disappointed in
id Mr. Comrox.
“1 suppose so,” replied the fond
““That seems to be a daily story
“Maybe "tia,
him at his own word,
jut this came of taking
When he got
gcod boxer. So I put him to work in
A NEIGHBORLY TURN,
He (at the husking bLee)—I haven't
She——You make me blush up to my
Ain't they a little red?
A CARELESS YOUTH.
“Cholly’s in the club
again!” said Willie
“Deal! Deah!
disgrace at
Wibbles.
You don't say so.
He's aiways in twouble, isn’t het? It
was only lawst week that he
came out without his twousashs wolled
up.”
Pde worse this time.”
“Howl”
“This mohning he forgot to bwash and
comb his chwysanthemum.”—{ Washing-
ton Star.
THR LAST RESORT,
The Wife-—-Can you give me any
money !
The Husband I haven't a cent,
The Wife There isn't any food
it the house! What are we going to
do?
The Husband--1 don’t know, I'm
afraid we shall have to fall back on your
leg of mutton sleeves. — [New York
Press.
WELL NAMED.
*‘8o,” said Jaxon, “our Chicago friend
Blower, has a on at his house?”
aa and he has named him Ham.
“That's a queer name. Blower isn’t
at all Tagrary oF dramatios Ie Ye, ‘De
el 0, t ‘s a og A .
troit Free Press, puri pae
JOST THE MAX HE WANTED,
A man with a thin coat and a very red
nose loitered about on lower Main street
Inst t and struck every passer-by f
nak EAE Rado whieh to get a oy
cesses — -
A tall young fcllow came bustling
down the street. The red-nosed man
stood directly in his path and began:
“My friend, I'm a moulder by trade and
I got sick last summer and I'm hungry
and | want to get a few cents to get
something to eat and a night's lodging.
I've got seven cents"
“Ah!” said the tall young fellow,
grasping his outstretched hand snd shak-
ing it cordially, ‘you're just the man I
want to see, Give me a nickel, will
yout”
And the
prised that he almost did
Express. :
red.nosed man was so sur.
it, —{ Buffalo
SIDE,
THE BAVE
ON
Clergyman {to bride)—Do you promise
to love, honor and obey?
Terry Hote (to groom) Hold, on there;
that bain’t legal
Clergyman-~What's the matter?
Terry Hote We don't want any sub-
ornation of perjury; jost make that
“love, honor-—-an’--an’ bave, her own
way." Puck.
THE
CHER OF THE PROXOUN,
“I really believe that we are descended
from the ape,” said Doodey.
“I believe vou are, too, Doodey,” said
Cynious: and Doodey wasn't at all
pleased.” —[ Harper's Bazar.
AMBIGUOUS,
Uncle (reprovingly)—Now, Charlie,
what do you keep a horse for?
Charlie Fastdrive—Well, Nunky, |
| presume I keep him to let him “
Godey's Magazine.
TWO DEVIN
TIONS
Bobby Pop, what is reason?
Fond Pareot— Reason, my boy, is that
which enables 5 man to determine what
is right,
Bobby-— And what is instinct?
Fond Parent—Instinct that which
tells 8a woman she is right whether she is
or nok. —{ Brooklyn Life,
is
AN APT IL1
“Tommy,” said the te: “do
koow what the word ‘fore
“Yes'm.”
“Can you give me an iliuscration?”
“Yes'm."”
“You may do so.’
“Last nigh® my mamma told the doe
| tor he might as well call around
{ me Thanksgiving night.’
| Star.
you
" means?”
MERELY A REHEARSAL,
| “You are charged with mutual ss-
| sault,” said the judge, ‘*and from
| appearance of your faces you
| have been very much in earnest
| have you to say for yourselves?”
“We were merely rehearsing for a
| foot ball match, voor Honor,” answered
{ the two young men.
“Oh, if that the case I will let
i go. Let them ve discharged, Mr. Clerk
[New York Press.
the
seem 10
What
is you
.
DIFFERENT.
He—1 have
|
now
your mother’s consent, and
can never be, sir. I highly
| respect you, and will be a sister to you,
out
He—Hold on; you will be a daughter
I'm going to marry your mother.
[Truth
{ to me,
|
SAVED FROM THE TIGER.
| A Tegalner Attacked While Feeding
the Animals.
| Inone of the cages in the circus parade
{ at Walton, Mich. werea lion and a tiger.
| The beasts, especially the tiger, were fine
{specimens of their kind. Ju the same
{ cage was the trainer, sitting io apparent
| unconcern. After the performance was
{ over in the afternoon, in advertising the
{ concert, which immediately followed, it
was announced that Professor Reed, the
{ lion tamer, would at the close go into
{the den in which he rode with the lion
| and the tiger in the moming and would
{ feed them fresh meat from his own
{ hands, to show the perfect subjection of
the beasts. It was done as advertised,
The beasts, however, were not in good
humor and snarled, showing their teeth
{ and lashing their tales as meat was hand.
ed to them.
When the trainer, in carrying out his
| programme, took a piece of meat in his
{ mouth and held it out for the tiger, the
| the trainer, knocking him backward and
getting only a portion of the meat.
Quick as thought it made a second
spring, this time not for beef but for
human blood. It struck the trainer on
the right arm and breast with one of its
reat claws, tearing through his cloth-
ng and flesh, inflicting seven deep
gashes in the fleshy part of his arm. The
other claw struck his hip, tearing off the
clothing, while its terrible jaws closed
over the trainer's arm just below the el-
bow. The man never moved a muscle
nor for a moment took his eyes from
those of the tiger, whose savage nature
was beginning to assert itself; its tail
Inshed its great striped sides and its eyes
flashed fire. The nerve of the trainer
saved his life. He called to the attend.
ants near, ‘*Bring the scrapers,” all the
time keeping his eye fixed on that of the
beast and talking in a low tone to it,
It seemed an age, but it was only a
few seconds, before two attendents, half
dead with fear, thrust the iron rods
through the cage against the sides of the
tiger. The beast, which the trainer, pin-
ioned as he wae, still had partly under
control, loosened his hold and crouched
back in his cage, while the man backed
slowly from the cage. As the doer shut
the r gave an angr wl, jum
ib 4 ut the bars Red The
lion showed great excitement and roared
furiously.
The trainer's life was saved. A great
sigh of relief went up from the exci
crowd, women fainted and men