Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1892 — A DOUBLE THANKSGIVING. [ARTICLE]

A DOUBLE THANKSGIVING.

N Y. Weekly. The November sun was shining as only a November sun cun shine in the grand old State of Virginia. The ivfaold atmosphere seemed filled with a. oft. mellow light, a reflection from the leaves that Jack Frost hud colored to suit his individual tnntw . Under the trees in fcho -orchard,•• and at the cider mill, were great heaps of red apples, while out oy the barn were long rows of yellow pumpkins. The wagon with its greut rack loaded with corn stalks, was standing in the yard. The. corn cribs filled to the very roof with corn and the barn, which * was packed so full of hay that it bulged out at each door and window, all -spoke of a bountiful harvest. On the lawn the grass was still preen, an<T a few late flowers were in bloom along the walk in front of the house, which was a two story frame huilding, .painted white. An air of order and thrift prevailed over the place. Jt was Thanksgiving, and on the Arleigh Farm this day was heid as sacred as the Sabbath. In the sitting room, in a reclining chair, sat Mrs. Arleigh, the owner and manager of the great Arleigh estate. At her feet sat a girl of obout twtnty yea s. She was the picture of grace and beauty, as she sat with her head renting ou the arm of Mrs. Arleigh s chuir. She was the daughter of a very dear friend of Mrs. Arleigh, who had died a widow and left trt*r to the care of her fri nd. Since Mary Feutou was nine years old she had lived with Mrs. Arleigh, who had been a mother to her. and she in return had been all that a daughter could be. The bond between them was all that love and respect could make it. Soon after Mary had come to the Arleigh farm to live. Mr. Arleigh had been killed in a railroad accident Moving his wife with an only son, diTtrtea - ArieiglLgjjm.,jßaa-Jwlva-ycars old at the time of his father's de th. -v— —~ At the age of twenty one Charles Arleigh had graduated at one of the first colleges, and returned home to take char</e of his father’s affair. James Bond, his uncle, Mrs. Arleigh’s brother, and who, by the way was as fond of Charley as though he bad been his own son? was about to start for Europe for a vear's travel. He persuaded Mrs. Arleigh to consent to be separated from her son for another year to allow him to see the o d world. From a boy und-girl fancy, Mary and Charley had always b<»n betrothed lovers. When Charley carne from college and found Mary grown to be a beautiful woman, he did not feel so free about talking about their future as he expected to, Seeing him hesitate, thought he had founJ some one he liked better, and immediately became shy and distant when they were alone. The night b fore leaving home for his year of travel they were walking in the garden, when Charley took her bund and said: “.Vary, since we were boy and girl wc have been pledged to each other, and you have always promised to one day be my wife. We are children no longer, and I wish you ' to renew the pledge as a woman. I as a man love you. and want you for my wife. Mary, do you love me well euough to say yes?” For answer she put her bands in his, and looking him in the eyes, said: “Charley, I fiavcT at way s’ Toveff you' and always shall.” Charley was again happy in the j knowledge of ha.ing her love. When they entered the room where his mother was silting, Charlie took mhry by the band, and leading her to where his mother sat, said: “Mothe**. Mary has consented to be ray wife." ’ w ny, bless you, children, you told me that eight years, ago but I will say now what I did not thrift—that there is nothing you could do that would give me so much pleasure sod wl.en you return, w© will celebrate the occasion with your wedding. So, Sir Knight, come prepared." Two triare and a half elapsed since the above conversation took plaice, and the ouening of our story still finds Mrs. Arleigh ’and Mary Fenton alone. ’ v T When the year, was almost guns, PWt . -w - .-sL-L ■

Mrs: Arleigh received a letter from ber broiher. who was in Hamburg, a few’days after their arrival there, Charley bad suddenly disappeared; that he had put the police upon the cose, bat that they bad found no trace of him. The news prostrated Mrs. Arleigh, and for a month it was feared aha ’ would not recover,. ' ' Mr. Bond prosecuted the search for months, but never found a clew, and he eventually came home. He never gave up the idea that Charley was alive, and always told his sister to cheer up. for Charley would surely come home. Laying her hand on the brown hair of Mary Fenton’s head, Mrs. Arleigh said: “Mary, where do you suppose oer boy is to-day?” the bead dropped on Mrs. Arleigh * lap. ’ “I hove hoped and prayed." she continued, “that be would be horns to-duv to make our Thanksgiving—■ complete. lam getting old. "and I n ed him so much.* I do not believe God has taken him from us " Mary arose, and. kissing her, said: “I am going to attend to things until he comes, andyos/nust rest. I am young, and want something to uo. You must teach me to do the work of the place.” “Bless your loving heart! what would I do without you?" replied Mrs. Arleigh. “Atrtl now we m*ust get ready for church, and James and * • his wife will eome home sbtb us for " dinner.” They went to the old church, where the good pastbr prayed that the poor of the laud might be fed and clothed, and for those that were in strange lands and were not able to gather around the family altar, add whose vacant seats: at the table would fill the hearts pf parents and friends with silent grief,-after which he bxplained to much they had to be thankful for,and to d them that the same God who had caused granaries to be. filled, would watch over the absent ones. Mr. Bond and wife, walked home with Mrs. Arleigh yd Mary, and before they were all seated there was a ring at the door. Mr. Bond answered the bell in person. A stranger inquired if this was the Arleigh Farm. Mr. Bond said it was, and asked him in. Mrs. Arleigh and Mary , scanned him closely as he came in, rbutitlook of disappointment rested upbfr each face as they beheld an utter stranger. ’ • He was tall, broad shouldered, with a pleasant blue eye, and a heavy black beard covering the whole face. He looked at Mary and Mrs. Arleigh, and exclaimed: “Mary! mother! Is it possible you do not know me?” At the first sound of his voice in its natural key his mother sprang into his arms. Mr. Bond grasped one band, and, with the tears s reaming down bis cheeks, exclaimed: “Charley,! did not know you. That beard is what fooled me. my boy!’* Mary came forward with tears of joy io her eyes to give him a kiss of welcome. When dinner was announced and the family were seated at the table, Mr. Bond offered a prayer of thanks to tho od that watebes over us all. — When he said “Ameu!" there was not a dry eye around the table. During the two hours that were spent at dinner Charley related how he bad been drugged and taken on board a whaler, from which he had not been able to even send home a letter, how, on bis escaping from the sh.p, he had traveled by night and by day to reach home for Thanksgiving Day. “And now,” said he, turning to Mary, “1 am ready to fulfill my part of our contract.” A rosv blush suffused her cheeks as she looked at her mother. “James,” said Mrs. Arleigh, “tomorrow there will he a wedding on Arlington lawn, if the weather permits; if not. it will take place in tbs Hall. You will see that there art» r«fresh men ts for two hundred guests. It is short notice, but 1 think it can be done." “it shall be done," said James, “if every cook in the city has to come here and work.” Tiie next day was a day of bustle at the Arleigh bouse. People running in to shake hands with Charley; servants flying here and there; tables being built on the lawn, and floors laid for the dancers. After the lawn was illuminated, with the guests assembled in the vicinity of tables loaded with good things, Mary aod Charley, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, marched out into the center of their friends. A hearty cheer went up from thp crowd, and a» it died down the veto# of the old pastor was beard to aay: “Do you, Charles Arleigh, taka this woman,” etc. At the conclusion of the ceremony there was a rush of friends to o .er congratulations, 4hrt~ as the happy pair made their way through tits crowd . toward tbo bouse, Charley whispered: “Darling, bow many times within the lost two years I have prayed that 1 might live to see this day * * “Truly, Charley, this has been «rThanksgiving that we shall alwava remember. One day not being long enough, we have taken two. And let us always thank Hitfc who holds our lives in the hollow of His band for the blessings He bus showered upon * Mgthilde— I’m sure I wish I knew what Mr. Snippy’s intentions araft • lora—lntentioos? Why. Snippy never bad such a thing in im life.