Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-11-28

Then the captain was charged as the
sender, but his surprise was so evidently
genuine, that the veriest skeptic in the
universe could not bUt have believed his
denial.
But that mystery! Mrs. Sarah was
utilitarian. She did not waste her ener-
gies in trying to imagine where the things
came from not she! She rolled up her
sleeves, put on a big apron, and went to
work
Oh, the marvellous time she made that
day! But, after ALL it was small wonder,
for she impressed exerybody-from the
big, good natured captain to little sx-year
old Jimmy-into service.
Miss Jane made her appearance, bright
and early, on Thanksgiving morning
Mrs. Sarah was alone in the kitchen
when she entered.
"iow do you do, Sarah?" said she, not
very cordially, it must be confessed, for,
although prepared to extend the right
hand of fellowship to James and the little
ones, she could not, even now, look upon
her sister-in-law except rs a traitor, whom
she would be obliged to make the best Of.
"Oh, Jane" and Mrs. Sarah, with one
rush, left her cranberries to take care of
themselves, and gave her husbands sister
II hearlier welcome than she deserved by
good sight.
Miss Jane didn't return her kiss, but
She suffered it; and though she did mutter
Judas under her breath, think she
WAS good deal more comfortable than she
wculd have been if her hostess had been
| as cold and stiff as herself
" Draw right up TO the stove, and take
off your things" and the little woman
hustled about, in whirl of delight. Oh,
won't James be glad. Dear, dear! He
ought TO be here this minute. And to
think it's Thanksgiving Day, and we've
got so much to be thankful forn
And then her thoughts went back to
their unknown friend of the day before,
and like II flash the truth came to her.
oh, Jare,' she went on with gasp,
see now. it was you who sent us the things
Oh, dear, how can we ever thank youP'
Then she rushed back to the cTanberries,
which showed signs of stewing over, and,
for the first time since her entrance, Miss
, Jane had n chauce to put in word.
She had just opened her mouth to say
something in explanation of her sudden
entrance, when the door opened, and in
walked Capt. Abel.
"Got anything for me to do. Sally?"
he asked, with u laugh and then the great
whiskered man stopped short perceiving
+ the stranger who sat just in front of the
fire.
Miss Jane had been II beauty in her
youth, and even now, was not at all ugly.
Her eyes were bright, her teeth were as
white as ever, and her dimples were not
things of the past. by any manner of
means. But for few wrinkles, and a
hard look, which was the natural result
of her hard life, she would have heen a
, very handsome woman. She had not
+ changed so much us had the captain; but
both were recognizable, and each after one
, glance, knew the other. Mrs. Sarah look
, ed up from her cranberries eagerly.
, "Oh, Abel, here's Jane-Miss jana
Finch!"
Capt Abel came forward, and extended
his hand; but it was an awkward meeting.
, They had not seen each other since the
breaking of of their engagcment-o over Il
= score of years beforehand both of them
we're uncomfortable conscious of the fact
! But Captain Able drew up Il chair to the
: stove, and tried to talk as if they had for
h COTTON all about it; they discussed the
Q weather, the crops, and everything else
e they cared nothing about, until Mrs Sarah
f who was all in whirl with the surprise OF
D Miss James visits, and who could moi
+ keep still-try as she would-broke into
= the conversation with:
81 Io1 H., Ior tho In C
n day we saw Jane, dear? What mess
a was in! | was engaged to jim. and no
body knew it; and mother was bound you
n and should make match of it. never
shall forget the afternoon we decided tC
. tell her about it Goodness, how | cried
r on your shoulder, too. Abe-and how yor
+ tried tC convince me that poor ma ddn I
r care much about you, and had Just as liev(
y I'd take somebody else, if you only ex
llainod it to her properly-and You were
+ right, too!'
i And the little woman, quite overcome
+ Ivy these "reminiscences, opened the over
= door, and commenced an energetic basting
of the turkey contained therein.
Poor Miss Jane was too much astonish-
= ed by this revelation to be prudent.
t And wasn't you in love with Sarah'
i she asked, breathlessly, of the captain.
n I'm love with Sarah!" he repeated
h " Why was engaged TO you"
\ Il know it," she said. But though
e you"
n Thought WHAT" and the captain drew
O his chair eagerly toward her. q" Was tina
the reason you acted SO toward me?"
, Il silence gives consent, Miss Jane con
- fcssed that it WAS, and he went on:
"Wel now that you know it wasn't so
what are YOU going to do about it?' An'
Captain Abel hitched his chair close
!, sill.
u Miss Jane didn't pretend not to under
- stand
y Were too oldn' she murmured
But week after, she was Mrs. Abe
Jones; so it is to be supposed that Captain
VI Abel vetoed the motion.