The third was less embarrassing , for it was a pretty bunch of flowers so daintily drawn one could almost think they smelt them , and these lines were underneath -- ` Every flower to others given , Blossoms fair and sweet in heaven . ' The fourth was a picture of a curly-haired child sewing , with some very large tears rolling down her cheeks and tumbling off her lap like marbles , while some tiny sprites were catching and flying away with them as if they were very precious -- ` Every tender drop that fell , Loving spirits caught and kept ; And Patty 's sorrows lighter grew , For the gentle tears she wept . ' ` Oh , aunty ! what does it all mean ? ' cried Patty , who had looked both pleased and ashamed as she glanced from one picture to the other . ` It means , dear , that the goods and bads got into the bed-quilt in spite of you , and there they are to tell their own story . The bun and the lost tail , the posy you took to poor Lizzie , and the trouble you bore so sweetly . It is just so with our lives , though we do n't see it quite as clearly as this . Invisible hands paint our faults and virtues , and by-and-bye we have to see them , so we must be careful that they are good and lovely , and we are not ashamed to let the eyes that love us best read there the history of our lives . ' As Aunt Pen spoke , and Patty listened with a thoughtful face , mamma softly drew the pictured coverlet over her , and whispered , as she held her little daughter close -- ` My Patty will remember this ; and if all her years tell as good a story as this month , I shall not fear to read the record , and she will be in truth my little comforter . ' -LRB- FOR SECOND SERIES , SEE ` SHAWL-STRAPS . ' -RRB- I . AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING . Sixty years ago , up among the New Hampshire hills , lived Farmer Bassett , with a house full of sturdy sons and daughters growing up about him . They were poor in money , but rich in land and love , for the wide acres of wood , corn , and pasture land fed , warmed , and clothed the flock , while mutual patience , affection , and courage made the old farm-house a very happy home . November had come ; the crops were in , and barn , buttery , and bin were overflowing with the harvest that rewarded the summer 's hard work . The big kitchen was a jolly place just now , for in the great fireplace roared a cheerful fire ; on the walls hung garlands of dried apples , onions , and corn ; up aloft from the beams shone crook-necked squashes , juicy hams , and dried venison -- for in those days deer still haunted the deep forests , and hunters flourished . Savory smells were in the air ; on the crane hung steaming kettles , and down among the red embers copper sauce-pans simmered , all suggestive of some approaching feast . A white-headed baby lay in the old blue cradle that had rocked seven other babies , now and then lifting his head to look out , like a round , full moon , then subsided to kick and crow contentedly , and suck the rosy apple he had no teeth to bite . Two small boys sat on the wooden settle shelling corn for popping , and picking out the biggest nuts from the goodly store their own hands had gathered in October .
Four young girls stood at the long dresser , busily chopping meat , pounding spice , and slicing apples ; and the tongues of Tilly , Prue , Roxy , and Rhody went as fast as their XXXXX .
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