4 THE ACORN "On Thanksgiving morning father took my brother and me out to the beach to hunt for clams you remember we lived in Plymouth, the same Plymouth which was settled by the Pilgrim fathers in 1620. Well, we searched about all morning but not a clam could we find, so we were compelled to return home as empty handed as we started. "Mother had made some cornbread the last in the house and Dorry had gathered some nuts as a surprise to us boys; so we intended to eat our simple meal and be thankful to have that much. Just as we were about to eat it. father looked out of the window. "'The Lord be praised,' he said joyfully, and we all crowded to the window to see. There were three big Indians coming toward the house, Father had always been kind to the Indians. The first was carrying a wild turkey, the second, a large deer, and the third, a basket of corn. "Mother threw open the door and welcomed them. We could not thank them enough for their gifts, and they received our thanks with nods and grunts, muttering, 'Pale race heap good to Indians. We bring pale face food. He no got much.' "They sat about the fire watching mother prepare dinner, laughing and talking in a friendly manner. They accepted our invitations to dine with us and we had a very pleasant time. Our friendly guests left at sundown. Mother said her prayers had been answered and we all felt to say 'amen,' and to thank our Father in Heaven for the mercies he had shown us. "Nor was this the last we saw of our friends that winter. They came often, once bringing their chief with them. They always came at the right time, for they knew when we needed something, and so generally brought provisions with them. Although we tried in many ways to repay their kindnesses we felt that we never could. "That was the happiest Thanksgiving I have ever had, or, at least, one of the happiest. Today is another. There, children, you have heard your story. Let us sing a hymn of praise to Him who has been so merciful to us all. Then kiss me goodnight, for you may never hear me tell another story on Thanksgiving day." They all, old as well as young, from great-grandfather down to little Raymond, blended their voices in singing that grateful song, "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." Great-grandfather was peacefully sleeping when the next Thanksgiving day came. SARAH WILLIAMS, '06. EARNEST'S AND VIOLA'S THANKSGIVING It was the day before Thanksgiving and Mrs. Brown was very busy preparing for their usual Thanksgiving dinner. She had been working hard all day and was rather tired and cross. "I wish you children would quit hanging around in the kitchen. There is enough in my way anyhow." The two children, Earnest and Viola, to whom the remark was made, went in the sitting room and sat down in front of the fire-place. Winter had come soon that year and it had been snowing all day and everything was white. "This is the kind of ThanKsgivlng I like." said Earnest, glancing out of the window. "Me too," said Viola, with her eyes beaming. "Oh, won't we have a picnic tomorrow. I'll bet I can eat the most pumpkin pie." "Oh, pshaw, you can't begin to keep up with me. If it wasn't fer makin' a pig of myself. I could eat a whole turkey." said Earnest, stretching out as though he were a man. "But then you couldn't ear any cake, pie. plum pudding, or any of them things. Oh, how I wish it was tomorrow now, but then it ain't, so let us make up our minds just what to do to have a right good time. How I wish THE ACORN 5 Cousin May could come with Uncle Will and Aunt Ellen; but 'Mamma said she couldn't, so we will have to have our fun all alone." "Let me see," said Earnest, thinking, "we can't eat all day, and if we could there wouldn't be any fun in it. What's Thanksgiving for, anyway?" This brought up something to Viola's memory which she could hardly wait to tell. "Oh, I know, our teacher told us it was to thank the Lord for what we had, and" "Oh, of course, what was I thinking about? That is why it's called Thanksgiving. I Avas thinking it was something about turkeys." "But you never let me finish what I was going to say. Our teacher told us a story of how some little boys helped a poor woman out by chopping her some wood. Let us do something like that. Can't we give some poor person a good dinner?" said Viola, looking at Earnest. "Of course we can, but who shall we give it too?" said her brother. They both sat quiet. Neither one said anything, for they were trying to think of some poor person to whom they wanted to give their gifts. All at once Viola broke the silence "I know who we can go to, and it is old Mrs. Miller who lives all alone in that little old house on trie corner. She is such a nice old lady and I know she would like a nice dinner brought to her." Earnest was going to speak, but Viola interrupted him. "She can have that turkey you were going to eat and part of my share of the pumpkin pie. I am sure mamma will help us out." "Help you out with what," said Mrs. Drown, with a pleased look, as she opened the door just in time to hear the last words. They could hardly wait to tell their plans to their mother, who listened with interest. She was very glad to think her children were so thoughtful, and gladly consented to help them, though it occasioned her to rise an hour earlier on the morrow. Next morning Mrs. Brown was surprised to see Earnest and Viola in the kitchen almost as soon as they were called. She could tell by the expression of Viola's face that she was going to ask a question, so she said: "Well, children, you haven't much time to waste, if you want to get back before papa does. So when you get cleaned up and ready I will show you the diner that you can take." Mr. Brown did not yet know about their plans. He had been called away from home that morning on account of business and would not be back for several hours. They were soon cleaned up and dressed ready to go on their early call. Everything was ready except the turkey, which was not yet done. Once, as Mrs. Brown pulled it out of the oven to baste it, Earnest looked at it with a watering mouth and said: "I don't believe it will be very hard for Mrs. Miller to eat that turkey alone." The turkey was at last done and Earnest had his little hand-sleigh ready by the house. Then their mother began to pack the dinner which they were to take. A dainty white napkin was placed at the bottom of the basket. Then the blue-edged platter with the nicely browned turkey was placed in. Some fresh rolls that were not yet through steaming came in next. Then a bowl with a lid on was put in one corner. It contained some pudding, with the dip. A generous slice of fruit cake, wrapped up in a paper napkin, was laid on the rolls. Cranberry sauce and other things were put in, and last, but not least, came the pumpkin pie. A paper was then placed on top, extending outside all around. The lid was then fitted on it tightly, so that when it would be opened the dainty contents could readily be seen. "Now, everything is ready, but what are you going to say to her?" said Mrs. Brown, as she lifted the basket on the sleigh. "Oh. we have been planning that out