The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-02-07
[From the New York Ledger.l
II HAN EX GEVING
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

one SlQe all covered Win Jne scarlet les
toons of. luxuriant Virginia creeper,
and white doves futtering ftfully round
the eaves-a farmhouse that had been in
the JaycSx family for full one hundred
and fifty years, and yet wore an aspect of
thrifty comfort that did ones heart good
to see. To be sure the ceilings were low,
and the window-panes small, and the
floor boards neither oak nor walnut, but
plain old fashioned hickory, but what did
Theron Jaycox care for that Where
was the use of mere outside show, when
all the neighbors knew perfectly well
that Theron Jaycox was the richest man
n all the country side?
"Theron -
i Helen Jaycox came bursting into the
room, slender, spruce old maid, with
glossy, reddish hair, and trim figure
completely eclipsed in the un-Grecian
drapery Of a blue checked bib-apron.-
There was -four on her barred arms and a
general atmosphere of cloves and CHINA
mon and allspice about her, that plainly
betokened the arrival of baking day, even
if the red glare of the cavernous oven in
the kitchen beyond had not added its in
crovertible testimony.
"What is it, Helen? ?"
Theron Jaycox is our hero, but he is
neither young nor handsome-only a
stout stalwart fellow of fve-and thirty,
with locks brown aud shining as newly
ripened chestnut, clear hazel eyes, and a
complexion that has been bronzed by all
the harvest winds that sweep across his
wide lands.
aWe must have Thanksgiving dinner
for Thursday, Theron"
"What2 all alone by ourselves, Nell?'
"Why not? 1t doesn't seem right to
let the day slip by, like the other three
hundred and sixty-four. Just let me
have my own way for once, and you shall
see what | can do in the cranberry tart
and pumpkin pie linel'
Gas if l doubted your proficiency
Nell!"
"And such a turkey as I'll roast for
you to say nothing about chicken pies
and baked ducks, and everything else
that's nice Theron, don't you remem-
Der the last Thanksgiving day that ever
our dear mother was alive, when we had
the great pyramid of late roses and
chrysanthemums in the middle of the
table, and Squire Maynard's family were
here, and"
| Helen Jaycox checked herself sudden
! ly, while the deep crimson suffused neck
and brow and cheek with its burning
tide. But Theron quietly took up the
dropped thread of her speech.
! Sand Alice Kearney-yes, | remem
Der it very we'll. | question if shall
ever forget that day, Helen!'
4 For one instant Helen's dark eyes me-
\ her brothers; both were sufused with {
mist of tears. Then she hurried back
into the bright kitchen.
/ "Why did | recall that day, of al
others to his memory ?" she said to her
self, as she sifted sugar and rained dowr
spices, and stirred in bloomy raisins.--
"He loves her yet-he never loved an
one else in all the world-and yet sh,
threw his hearts devotion away like
broken toy, and ran away with the worth
less actor just when poor Theron's hope
were brightest. How could she! oh, hoy
could she !? l wonder what has becom
of her, now-whether she is dead or liv
ing How beautiful she looked thst da,
the rose in her hair was not half a
pink as her cheek, and her eyes were jus
as blue and deep as I Ihave seen the SIX,
j, look after thunder-shower. DON
wonder that Theron loved her-and ye
when I remember how entirely she ha
blasted his whole life, l am tempted t
hate her l''
So it dawned bright and cloudless, tina
Thanksgiving day, with sunshine tina
rose up in the blue zenith like great bill
lows of gold, and wind that was shar
and merciless as an assasssn's knife !
."You are not going to the city thi
morning, Theron?"
For the little wagon was at the doc
|, with the black ponies before it, and The
ron Jaycox was buttoning his brown over
coat, while Helen had ran out to tn
gate. ae
"Yes, I am, Nelly"
"What for ?"
II have business to transact, and more
over, Nell, who knows but may brin
i home with me some poor soul TO whor
q the abundance of our Thanksgiving din
: ner may seem like the Land of Plent
itself2"
~ Helen was silent.
d "Theron," she said at last, as he too
the reins in his fur,gloved hands, ~ d
4 wish you would get married.
81 shall never do that, Nelly"
"Neuer, Theron?H she pleaded.
. "Never, Nelly. We must be contente
d to keep one another company for the res
!, our lives as old batchelor and old mait
: dearn
He smiled down upon her as he drov
away, but it was not cheerful smile, an
!, Helen went in with chill round he
0 heart that was not the touch of the bite
9 November wind.
: "Mamma-oh, mamma, am SO cold
Button your jacket up to your throa
: and sit in the sunshine--that will max
Q you warmer"
g "There is no more coal, Willie"
! eve could buy some, mamma; Mr.
It Jones bought whole wheelbarrow fu
II yesterday"
"But Mrs. Jones had money, my SOL
and we have none"
: Willie Hardwicke looked piteously u
lin to his mothers face as he strove