Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-11-25
BACK FROM THE DEAD.

II was the day before Thanksgiving.
The first snow Of the season had fallen,
and the apple trees before Deacon Browns
old red farmhouse bent YEARLY under the
damp weight upon their lcatless branches.
In the low kitchen mysterious doings"
were going on. Mrs. Brown was up TO
her elbows in great bowl OF flour, from
which her inimitable doughnuts were to
be manufactured. Nobody else in Rash
erville could make such doughnuts as
Mrs. Brown-so crisp, 50 rich, so sweet
that they fairly melted in ones mouth.
The children which Thanksgiving Day
always brought together around Deacon
Browns hospitable table appreciated
them in way which reflected the most
sincere and substantial praise on the skill
which could make such delectable goodies.
warrant more than one Juveniles mouth
watered at the prospect of to-morrow's
feast, as Mrs. Brown mixed her dough
nuts that day.
"Be spry, now" to Roxy, her assistant,
in CHEEKY, pleasant tones, which were just
suited to the p) amp, good -natured face OF
the deacon's wife. Be spry, now, or the
the right color by the time we want the
oven for the cake. Punkin pies alters
ought to be the color of the shell, you
know, Roxy, an we'll hev to hurry 'em
up lee.le, we've such lots o. work to do.
I'm ,lul thankful Thanksgivin' don't
come more'n once year, there's alters so
much to be done" And then Mrs. Brown
laughed in such pleasant, hearty way,
as She proceeded to prepare some OF her
dOughnut mixture for trolling out" that
am sure. if you could have heard her,
you would not have thought her very
much cast down because there was so
much to do, or in the least disturbed with
the labor Thanksgiving Day entailed. On
the whole, / think Mrs. Brown thorough
ly enjoyed 1t.
Them pies are DONE" announced
Roxy, after peep into the oven.
Are, heyg" said Mrs. Brown, with a
patronizing nod and smile at Roxy, as
she piled her rolling-piD theoretically.
"You may set lem by the north winder TO
cool, and then put in the cake. It's all
ready If il STAINS much longer Pm
afraid it'll be heavy, an IL there's any
thing in this world | do hate more'n an
other it's to hev cake heavy as lead"
Roxy proceeded to take out the delicious
looking pies and set them by the pantry
window. Then the cake was put to bake.
There, now, Roxy" said Mrs. Brown,
peremptorily, "you Jest set down an rest
Yourself a minnit There's nothing else
TO do till get these doughnuts ready TO
fry, an / know you're jest ready TO drop"
az amt much tired, Miss Brown" de-
INJURED Roxy, an if there's anything to
do"
but there amt Jest now" answered
Mrs. Brown. Amt / boss here, Roxy
stone?" with CHEEKY little laugh. Wall,
thought so,'' as Roxy made reply that
"she s'posed she was" "Then dos tell
We, an rest yerself little.n
So Roxy sat down, and Mrs. Brown
kept on rolling out her doughnuts and
talking.
II can't make 1t seems eff jamie was
really going to be married tomorrow"
she said, patting out the dough. " You
see, he's so much younger'n any Of the
rest of the children that somehow can't
make II seem as eff he'd ever get big an
be married. I've alters considered him as
the baby, you know" and Mrs. Brown
laughed again, a pleasant, mellow laugh
that was good to hear.
And I'm the baby yetp' said voice
Ia the doorway, voice like Mrs. Browns,
and james came into the Kitchen tall,
good Looking young fellow, with MS
mothers face and eyes.
Lawful sakesi How you scarf mep'
exclaimed Mrs. Brown with proud
motherly smile. II didn't know you was
anywhere about"
Il came in to see how the pies and
cakes were getting along. You know I'm
Il always interested in them," he said
I laughingly.
= There's the pies said Mrs. Brown
with motion of her hand toward the
pantry, an the cake amt done YETI
!. They're too tempting tob be looked at, !
said James, smacking his lips. Wal
I'LL tomorrow, mother mine, and see
what becomes Of your pies"
They was made to eat" answered
Mrs. Brown, giving her energies TO the
twisting OF her doughnuts into the proper
shape Of that article Of food.
Nightfall- came down over the gray
New England landscape. In the pantry
where the pies had been set TO cool, wer,
pans OF crisp, brown doughnuts anC
loaayes'of amber cake and fiaky tarts with
ruby jelly quigering in each cup of crust
Z And IN the woodshed two great turkey