Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-12-03

known to Mrs Brown. But the stranger did
not pass the door, but knocked loudly.
"Come inn
"Do Mrs. and Miss Brown live here g. said
the gray-coated coachman, whip in hand,
who entered.
"Iam Mrs. Brown. Ny daughter is not at
homes
"Just AZ well, ma'am," and the man disap-
peared But 1t was to return In moment.
aMrs. Cradock sends her compliments, and
hopes Mrs Brown and Miss Brown will have a
pleasant Thanksgiving. And Mrs. Cradock
sends turkey and few other things Where
shall leave them, ma'amT'
"Oh! just put them on the table. Thank
you kindly. And tell Mrs. Cradock that we
are very much obliged, am sure. l hope
she's very we'll"
"Thank you, ma ann she's very well. Good
by, ma'am. can't leave my horses" And
the gray coachman, who to Mrs. Brown was
no more gray than green, disappeared.
"WelI, now said she, as she crossed and
"befteds turkey No 3, and smelled at the
heavy package of Bohea, and did the same by
the two squash pies that the man had left
"well, now how shall / keep these out Of
Hepzibahs sightY' Carefully and success
fully she opened a crypt under the sink,
moved the pots all to one end, hung the
turkey on nail she remembered there, and
then one by one she placed the other bounties
in the store-closet, as she might.
good deal fustered, she returned to her
chair TO find that there were but three
needles In her stocking.
This was a serious matter. And Mrs
Brown was on her knees on the floor, cropping
for the fourth needle, when she heard an
other rat-tat-tat at the door She hurried to
her feet as soon as she could and gave per-
mission TO enter.
It was Kitty. Hitty was wholly out of
breath. "Miss Brown, was standing up to
the head Of the court, and lady come by and
asked If knew where Miss Hepzibah Brown
lived. And said it was No. z, up the street,
up one flight. And she says, says she: Pm
little late for my car says she-just so.
VIII you just carry this turkey to Miss
Hepzibah Brown, with my love? And then
she stopped, says she: It's Miss Brown that
has blind mother And said yes, Miss
Hepsy Brown had blind mother And she
gin me ten cents for bringing it, and here ii Ii"
"Why, Hitty,o said tie old lady, amazed,
"who was the ladyp
"Don't know" said Kitty. ] asked her,
says /: Who shall | say 1t isT says |. And
she says, says she: OH she'll know, says
she' So she called the Norfolk House car,
that was passing, and she got in, she did;
1t is. It's real heavy, Miss Brown, and it's a
beauty / wish you could see it, Miss Brown.
But do just heft it,"
so Mrs. Brown hefted" the turkey, as she
had hefted three others.
"And now, Hitty, will you help me look for
my knitting needle. was on the floor look
Ing for it,"
Miss Brown. Might light lamp"
Poor Mrs. Brown II was as light to her as
it was ny the window. Hitty lighted her
lamp, and went on her knees for the explora-
ton. Rising, little exhausted by the bend
ing, she cried out: {" Here 1t is, Miss Brown"
"Where was 1t, my dear childp
"Ohi jist behind you, mum. dood-by."
Hitty's grammar was imperfect; but she
had native politeness enough not TO tell the
old lady that the lost needle was stuck in her
back hair. Unless some one reads 10 her this
story, she will never know where that needle
was till she dies.
She took the needle and worked faithfully
on upon the Maori chcftain's stocking.
Whether more turkeys would arrive she won
dered Whether she would secrete number
four, or leave it where Hitty laid it, Finally
she hung 1t on a nail behind the door by
which Hepzibah would enter. SO she knitted
and dozed, and dozed and knitted. When
the somewhat shaky clock which we then had
ON our church-tower struck seven she laid
down the Maoris garment, filed the teapot,
put 1t on the stove, and filled up with kindling
and wood. To say true, Mrs Brown had
wrapped her shawl tight round her as the
afternoon passed, but had made no more fire
than Hepzibah had left. She knew that Hep
zibah might leave "Miss Scarletts" as early
as seven.
But 1t was eight and after before Hepzibah
came. The sa-kettle had boiled long before
Tor the water I'm it), and had been set back to
the rear OF the stove for decorous simmer
there At last the ell-known step sounded
on the stair, and the hard-worked, long
waited-for absentee returned. She slyly laid
down In the sink something heavy, which she
had in har no md ~ mi N IA M he a mr.
kissed her; a token wholly unusual and I'M
expected In that establishment, in which no
sentiment was ever wasted.
"What do you think, mamma dear? I've
changed my mind, and we will have a Thanks
giving dinner after all"
" How did she know itf" This was Mrs.
Browns only thought.
"You see we had to fly round at Miss Scar
let's, / tell you. They're going TO have all his
brothers, and her sisters, and two judges from
England, and / dunno what ali, to dinner
goin' TO set the table cornerwise In the big
parior Of all; and then they have a late tea
and supper together, and have all the cousins
enty -four In all. Jane Scarlettt says TO me.
Gays she: Ther'll be seventy-four In ALL If
| the weather's fine; 80 Miss Bytield ken bring
| In her twins says she. And their famous
Mrs. Nudge, the grand cook that they spoke
| for three months ago--she that makes their
nuTluOfOukub huu tuCu OpCil-tOp dpplC-DItb-
she hadn't come near 'em when | got there
and Miss Scarlet and Jane Scarlet had to
| take hold themselves, and had to spring to,
| tell you; and we have had smart time OF
| II since was here. Well. / had my tea there;
and just as ! come away Miss Scarlet says
| she: Hepsy,' SAYS she, YOU let ohm 90 home
with you, says she, and let him carry this
turkey says she, for your motner,' says she,
: for says she, your mother won't feel like
going out tomorrow, Hepsy,' says she, and
| So says she, she better have her turkey to
home, Hepsy,' says she. She did, says she.
So here's your turkey NANNY. He's beauty.
Do just heft him."
And Mrs. Brown hefted the fifth turkey.
She was a little grieved to find the wind, In q
measure, taken out Of her sails; but she con-
l cealed her grief, and in the darkness Hepzi-
bah did not observe her expression. While
| she was busying herself in replenishing the
| fire, Mrs. Brown crossed the room and lifted
| down No. 4, so that he lay by the side of No.
5. When Hepsy rose from her putting and
blowing and lighted the lamp, she saw In q
| moment there were twins where she had laid
but one turkey; and then the old lady was
well satisfied with her Amusement.
= II Is easy to1imagine how she went on
how, when Hepsy opened the closet to find
No. D and the stores which surrounded him,
the good old soul had one triumph more !;
how then nv clumsy artihces she made her