Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-02
Kitty's Two Thanksgivings.

IT,
chef said Kitty SOmers, as, after running over
the Keys of the piano for ten minutes, knitting
Tor Two, and taking down and turning over half
dozen new books, without so much As reading
the title of one OF them, she finally stood up and
yavned audibly, with her arms well up over har
head, and her mouth open to its fullest exteIb.
She took care however, to thrOug this graceful
gymuastic directly in front of a long mirror; for
Kitty knew that she was pretty, and hal known
II since she was three years old, and never hest
tated to indulge her taste for pretty things by
looking at her own image whenever opportunity
offered for doing 80. At the present moment
however, she seemed to derive but little conso-
Iation from the reflection OF her small, well-maIe
figure, attired, as 1t always was, in the trimmest
and daintest OF costumes, or from the well-set
head, on which nature had conferred ga turn
80 irresistibly attractive and coquettsh that no
amount OF Partisan coithng could improve it, for
after lew minutes silent contemplation she
shook her small Inst and u ade hideeus grimace
at her own image in the glass, if 1T alone were
responsible for her present WEAKNESS and per-
pleXity. Then she threw rself on the rug at
Aunt Rachel's feet, and exclaimed, for the
second time 1t as duh world, isn't it, aunty?
Say it IS. please, for can't bear any contradic-
Aunt Rachel smiled, and stroked caressingly
the bright head which vas nestled so closely in
her lap; for she was always lenient toward Kittys
Pettlsh ways, and never interpreted them TO
mean any thing very serious or important. .sVery
well, then, KITTY. il IS dull. my dear, ;" she said
but why particularly o-night of all nights in
oh, 1 don't know, aunty. One never seems
TO get what one wants most. I'm sure don't.
Of added Kitty, in a medtative tone, "that
really care about; and never get much Of
land those are" said Aunt Rachel, inquir-
ingly.
Ice cream and dancing, aunty."
Aunt Rachel laughed. a We will try 10 supply
those indispensable 10 happiness, Kitty" she
said; ''but only upon condition of your being a
better child than you have been lately, dear
How about Roy Campbell Are you going to
throw away his strong, true love, you have
cast aside ~ many others, nifty ?'
"Oh, you cross old aunty!" cried Kitty, lifting
her head defantly-''tO worry me about love and
marriage Just a. wasrecovering NV serenity in
your dear old lap. I'm sure I'm very well as
am, and You wouldn't be half as well of without
- But ! shall not be here always, Catherine, ;"
was her aunt's grave reply.
Now, Aunt Rachel, don't be a wet blanket"
said Kitty, throwing her arms round her aunt's
neck. and drawing the placid face down to be
Kissed, 4" and III talk about Roy just as much as
you Ike. know he's splendid match; and,
happy, he'd make such good Provider, But
mustn't daI ce, and mustn't fiirt, and mustn't
have gOO6 time at all. What's the use Of liv-
ing II you can't have good time? Ii really is
very pTOsy Of Roy" she continued, as her aunt
made no reply TO this iippant speech, " to be 50
eXacting about little things. He knows that
love him, or he ought TO know il, and yet he
my insane desire TO please; as II women weren't
put into the world 10 please the men and humor
their caprices- At least Fee never been able to
hUmOr their lovers, wives their husbands and
mothers their sons. From the cradle TO the
grave it's always the same thing over and over
"Wen, Kitty, replied Aunt Rachel, when
Kitty paused a moment TO take breath, eve
won't discuss that subject now. i have only
few words To say to you, my child, which are,
that you have won the heart OF a man to whose
love and honor would gladly intrust you. But,
Kitty. he is not one with whose best affections
Won can play fast and loose, as you have done
with the butterflies OF fashion who have been
huttering round You here II must be all or
We'll, aunty. In try and get off with Just as
little as can, then" replied Kitty, jumping up
and dancing about the room, because you know
must keep some Tor YOU"
And she threw her armsround her aunt's neck,
and kissed her sudibly and emphstically at least
half dozen times.
But Aunt Rachel had made mp her mind that
Kitty fought TO be talked TO" and when that
venerable spinster's mind was once firmly and
fairly made up, II took more than even Kitty,s
SOAKING ways 10 undo the little parcel
One word more, darling," she said, as Kitty
finally released her from her explosive embrace,
and turned round to leave the room. "Youll
give up that party tomorrow night, won't you,
dear2 Remember, it's Thanksgiving day, and
such thing was never heard OF as going from
home on Thanksgiying-day,k Kitty. can't think
whatever PUT il into your head 10 want to go.".
Why; aunty" replied Nifty, slnking down
puckered than ever, and a dark cloud of discon-
tent settling down upon her features, it will be
winter. The Merediths 90 70 town ON Friday,
and then Roy can have me all 20 himself for
eight dreary months Come, darliRgest OF aunt
les, say / may 60" continued the lively girl.
I'm be here all day. you know, and III talk to
old Uncle Zeke and Aunt Charity about the
eOOps and the TURKEYS. and Tn repeat the Lon
ger and Shorter Cateekism entire to Parson
Trip. n he likes TO have me, and III crack nuts
and pop corn with Bah and 'Kiah POmerOy
til their heads are fairly turned round on their
shoulders, and I'll eat all can, and great
deal more than oaght, and I'll try TO make
The old fogy festival a. pleasant a. ever can,
aUuty, after the most ancient and orthodox mod
els. Int / must 90 10 the Merediths German
after they are gone, Aunt Rachel must in
Aunt Rachel shook her head. 90 II is not 7
hat would keep you Kitty, YOU very well
know, but Roy objects so strongly. And you
know. dear, vUu 10 fiirt with Rrssen Meredith
rather more than l. suitable or becoming"
Now. Aunt Rachel" exclaimed KITTY, the
sunshine returning 20 her bright, girlish face,
You pi ise ana nth The reign Of Charity and good
viii established. Don't let your dear old heart
be anxious III make it all straight with Roy.
And now really must 20 and look after poor
old kezah, whose astounding performances in
The way OF pies and cakes are all artstically
ranged on the dresser shelves, waiting TO be adj
miTed. They really are the most wonderful
structures, aunty, and would do credit 20 q Pa
Tisian e4sf in outward adOrnment, as well as in
what KeZiah calls their 'rel.shin' favor am
10 have the honor OfdecOrating the large almond
cake with a motto in pink and bite caravans,
the motto TO be left 10 my selection. What shah
mean. Let me see: 'Indi gestion waits upon ex-
cess would be a friendly warniDg-don't you
think so?n And bessowing another stiiing ca
reSs upon her aged relative, who was now fairly
Vsnquished and utterly helpless, Kitty Somers
marched triumphantly out OF the room.
-" IL was In the long lOw Iray Ing room Of Miss
Rachel SOmers house at New port that the pa.-
sage at arms above recorder between detseif
and her fair niece took plxee--a house from
whose large, old-fashiOned Windows a terrsced
garden and yerdant lawn sloped down 70, the
very waters edge, and which had been occupied
by successive generations OF the S0mers family
for centuries before wealth and fashion had set
tier seal upon the sea-gfrt island and elected
To hold their revels there. In thst house Kitty
Somers had been born; in that house her fair
young mother-vidOwed before her babys
birth-had drifted out upon the unknown sea
from whence No mortal has yet returned
leaving her infant daughter to Aunt Rachel's
gentle care and guidance.
Here Kfrty's joyous childhood had been passed
here Aunt Rachel had nurtured, prnned, and
trained the wild, luxuriant NATURE, which bios
sOIned ~ early into fresh and blooming grlhood,
and promised 20 bring forth matITity's best
fruits in Gfter-yeArs. Aud here, alas. had bean