Smyrna times., 1874-12-23


Ter gentle life could hardly sum up. "
IAN ear-truRpet! Was she to be the scape-
,Oat for everybOdy's carslessness, and wear "
his crooked horn as the badge of it? DeafH t
low should she be deaf any more than ne P
vas, when their birthdays we're tho same? ?
" NOuld he have the great kindness to carry a
hat instrument into his own room and keep 1t
here, since waste was sinful, until she should
Isk for it p
1t did not seem to Phenx that Pamphyla
'0uld say anything this time, but as he passed /
between her and Miss Mehitable her face
frightened. STILL" she whispered, tits a
comfort to think you We increased the regular
sale.'
The grapes had purpled and been gathered
five times since them to morrow would be
Thanksgiving day once more, and the ear
trumpet lay on the piano in Phenix's room,
shining and bright, as on the first day it had
been banished there.
Turkey, of course" said Phenix, as they
sat round the fire after tea letting the lights
and shadows give lessons in blind mans buff
in advance "Couldu't there be anything else
for a change? This will be my fifty fifth in
annual regularity"
And my fiftieth real old maid, p" laughed
Miss Pamphylia, softly.
Nonsense" began Phenix, with glance at
her bright brown eyes and chestnut hair but
Miss Mehitable turned gently from the fire.
'Oh, yes, dear; they often live to great
age. / remember one allowed to wander in your !
father field that was over hundred; at least |
the inscription on it's back said so. | suppose |
it is because they are SO slow about every
thing.
"Not turtles-turkeys, shouted Phenx |
"DindoaS for dinner tomorrow"
but, please don't speak SO loud, brother"
said Miss Mehitable. Il like distinctness that
is all. Though am surprised at your think
ing of dandeliOns, so altogether out of season
and, besides, cranberry sauce is Latin for roast
turkey always" And Miss Mehitable laid her
hands on the folded handkerchief with peace
ful smile.
This was what drew the despairing look from
Phenix and sent Miss Pamphylia to take refuge
in rejecting that Hetty could have the trnm
pei" Not that they cared in the least on their
own account; it was only the though of to-
morrow, when there would be company. They
were SO proud of Hetty, aHd couldn't bear to
| have her make herself ridiculous.
Nothing seemed less probable, as Miss Mehi.
| table took her seat at the table the next day,
| fautlessly dressed, and smiling benignantly
upon every one, with Cousin John, clergy
man of the Methodist persuasion, on her right
hand, and distinguished professor OF elocu-
/ tiOn on her left.
Pretty strong outposts, and Hetty always
docs look well, though Phenix, with sigh Of
relief" ,"as he took up the ball she had gracefully
set rolling, and croquetted it among his neigh
bors 1t fitted about for while in a velvety
way most soothing to his fears, when suddenly,
just as his anxiety began to subslde, there was
a crash at Miss Mehitabes end of the table,
reverberating like clap of thunder. She had
set out on series Of "reminiscences with Cousin
John, who had just returned after twenty
years absence, and he was inquiring at the
extreme of his pulpit tones
"Where is the judge now ?"
Miss Mehitable nodded and smiled as she al,
ways did when she felt pretty sure, but not
quite, that ''Oh yes" was the right answer.
This wouldn't do for every one had started al
the crash and was listening so Cousin John
tried again.
'Ihe Judge; where is the Judge now?''
"Oh, standing on the very same spot" said
} Miss Mehitabl0; lust on the crown cf the hill
Very windy on a cold day, and little cOnspicu
Gus; but local attachment are strong, you
kRow, and We have wOrshipped there grsa
many years.
"Ah said Cousin John looking suddenly
A into his plate, and PheniE told him it woult
not be New England THANKSGIVING il be die
t not send it up tor more turkey; and then every
t one begsn to say what terrible thinning ther'
was in the rank and file of the poultry yards to
e day. Miss Mehitabls nodded and smiled 81
= apprecatingly that the Professor wondered hoV
Cousin John managed to get into such trouble
g "A terrible sacrifice among the featheret
e tribe" he said, addressing her.
d "0h, very sad - said Miss Mehitable, viii
d a sudden shawdOwing of her face. Il IN afra
very few Of them will ever come back. An
70 to think the only return we can make is t.
" decorate their graves. We did great man
q last year. and there will be more than ever
L IN afraid, when this campaign is over.
" After this it struck Miss Mehitable that tn
conversation became very general, so much SC
that she really could not catch the opportunit
d to ask Cousin John as many questions as sh
s. would like, or to bs particularly polite to tn
Professor. However, everything seemed goin
+" on delightfully."-, though she noticed the sam
general carslessness of enunciation; STILL sll
IF was used to that, and she would catch Cousi
rs John after they returned to the parlor.
N But Csusln John wasn't to be caught;
le was very busily engaged with some one ell
n, whenever she passed near him, and, indeed
ly every one grew very laxative, and even II
~ candles and the fire light seemed to Mi
of Mehltabls gayer than on other nights.
y, Strange ways New England people are fal
be ing into" said Cousin John nearest neghbo
ey "Thanksgivlng dinner at early candle light
en- something equally new and nice.
oil lis it new or OldY asked Phenix, and the
he came free discussion of dinner. hours in tim
er past, present and to come.
a 81 wonder what time Abraham dined ?" sa
OF Miss Pamphylia, suddenly.
Die Cousin Jahn said that was q tentative que
ss ton it would be easier to say what he din,
70. upon and some one answered; oh yes th
est was on q Mess-o pot amian plain
Miss Mehltable nodded and SMILED, but Il
no professor thought he would make it little mo
ed distinct for her.
iss 1--WE are wondering at what time Abraha
le- dined, he enuneiated, eomiRg very close,
Ter pretext Of picking up the handkerchief whi'
lat had slipped from her lap.
ig "Oh, he dined at four o'clock; was IN
matsly acquainted with him" said Mi
ler Mehitable, glow Of pleasant recollection suff
yht sing her gentle face. But, at the same momen
she caught very peculiar one cnsthe proft
sor's, she glanced at Cousin Johns. Was
he possible the turkey had not agreed with hi