Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-11-10

she did not trOuDlo her6e'I 70 explain
Sure OF their treachery, what mattere
it to her how they spent their lives'
To-day Miss Finch, in thinking owe
her past, acknowledged to herself 70
for tlre first time that she might hav
been hasty not 10 far as the stalwal
sailor was concerned, but about he
brother.
"I don't suppose I ought to have ex
pected him to give up his sweethear
without any reason" she thought. :"
wouldn't have done it myself. I below
I'll send them good Thanksgiving din
der. From all / can hear, they ain
able to do much in that line for them
selves and with q sudden twinge o
conscience, the more acute from being
unusual, Miss Finch hurried on her bon
net and shawl, and started of to market
Oh, the marvellous purchases sh,
made Pumpkins, and cranberries, ant
turkeys, and chickens, and barrels o.
potatoes, onions, apples, -four and
everything else in the eating line thai
could be desired.
"Fll give 'em Thanksgiving that
will last the winter" she said, grimly
and then, all Of sudden, she felt q
great desire to partake OF the good
things she had generously provided
"I've good mind to go down and
eat dinner with 'em. I don't know as
I'll be welcome, but they can't do more
than shut the door in my face. I believe
I'll try it. any way. James and I are
the only ones left, and don't think it is
right we should live any longer in this
way. According 10 all accounts, Sarah's
been good wife to him."
And so that night Miss Finch started
off for visit to her brothers.
James Finch looked forward to
Thanksgiving Day with no great
pleasure.
Captain Abel Jones had just returned
from voyage to the Indies, and, as was
his custom, repaired Immediately to the
home Of his cousin Sarah, there to re-
main until such time as his ship should
be ready to start again. s
"And you hear nothing at all from
Jenny ?"
To him Jane Finch, spinster, aged
forty-one, was not the grim, formidable
woman she seemed to everybody else.
He had not seen her since her girl
hood, and his memories of her were all
of that happy time.
"No.u said James Finch, sadly.
"We hear of her, but nothing from her.
She still lives alone, and still refuses to
hold communication with any Of U.S..
Captain Jones looked around the poorly
little room. and sighed.
"She has changed greatly" he said
If she can enjoy her wealth, while you
are struggling on in this style, cannot
it. But there's do use in
talking it over. Years ago we decided
that it was incomprehensible. Come,
tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we must
bestir ourselves to give it hearty re-
,eption.
The husband and wife we'll knew what
hat meant. r..
Captain Jones proposed to provide the
Thanksgiving dinner. James Finch,
with all his poverty was proud man.
II can't take it," said he, resolutely.
' If I was in need, Jones, I'd come to
YOU but I can get along very we'll with
'ut that and so, until I'm unable to
provide myself with one, I won't have
my"
What the captain would have said,
must forever remain mystery, as, just
It that moment, the disputed dinner, in
he shape of Miss James donation, drove
Up to the door.
1t was in vain that Mr.. Finch protest
ID that the load was not for him. His
lame and address on the card we're cor.
ect, and the expressman refused to be
convinced.
Then the captain was impaled as the
ender but his astonislment was 80
genuine. that the veriest
keptic in the universe could not but
ave believed him innocent.
But that mystery! Mrs. Sarah was
ilitarian. Sh did not waste her ener.
les in trying to imagine where the
hings came from-not she She rolled
p her sleeves, put on big apron, and
rent to work.
Oh, the marvellous time she made that
ay! But, after all, it was little wonder,
Or she impressed everybody-from the
ig, good-natured- captain to little six
ear-old-Jimmy-into service.
Miss Jane made her appearance,
right and early. on Thanksgiving morn
,g. Mrs. Sarah was alone in the
itchen when she entered.
Chow do you do, Sarah ?" said she.
OF very cordially, it must be confessed,
or, although prepared to extend the
ight hand of fellowship to James and
he little ones, she could not, even now,
,ok upon her sister-in-law except as a
.aitor, whom she would be obliged to
lake the best of.
"Oh, Jane |" and Mrs. Sarah, with
ne rush, left her cranberries to take
are Of themselves, and gave her hus-
and's sister q heartier welcome than
he deserved by good sight.
Miss Jane didn't return her kiss, but
be suffered it /; and though she did NUT
,r Judas I" under her breath, I think
he was good deal more comfortable
nan she would have been if her hostess
ed been as cold and stiff as herself.
"Draw right up to the stove, and take ,
& your things" and the little woman
ustled about, in a whirl of delight.
Oh, won't James be glad Dear,
ear He ought to be here this min
te. And to think it's Thanksgiving i
'ay, and we've got so much to be thank
IL for I" And then her thoughts went \