The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-01-03
Tale Of Two Thanksgivings.

| HAOS., "hhOa Costcu tHo slUe-Wdlk6 with
q slippery crust, and smote the face OF
each wayfarer with little stinging slaps.
as who should say, ~rake these. with
Winters compliments; he is lust be-
hind, and sends his card on thus bv
me-" Thanksgiving-evcs not infre-
quently are of this uncomfortable pat
tern. 1t may be natures happy de-
vice for enhancing by contrast the
cheer and comfort Of the season, max
ing the fresidc seem brighter. the din
ner more tempting and savory. But
how about those who have no iiresides
or dianers?
Jelny Forde belonged only in part
to this destitute class. She had FIRE
side, 30 far as q stove with an open
crate about sight inches across deserves
to rank under that cozy name. "The
biue-bell Of Scotland" the stove call
ed itself. adopted into use an ong
our best Fifth Avenue families" its
advertisement stated, "and deservedly
favorite in the very highest circles.S
Jenny was proud Of her stove. She
was quite sure that no one not an ex-
pert would suspect its useful qualities,
or detect the handy little oven hidden
away behind among the ornamental
twlrls and scrolls, VI the place for po-
tatoes and pudding dishes beneath the
iron cage on top. Tonight she had
popped on an extra lump of coal in
honor Of the season, and the little room
fairly glowed with warmth ar. that
redolence Of scorched blacking which,
ls the property of little stoves all the
| world over. The shade was pulled
down over the window, the lamp set
unlit upon the table, and Jenny, in her
Connecticut rocking-chair, was seated
for the unwonted luxury of an idle
half hour. Later she must sew. This
lazy interval was her holiday treat,
the only one within her means, poor
girl. There was no one to tempt to
the extravagance of a Thanksgiving
feast or to share it, and to spend time
and money in feasting herself alone
was an idea which would never have
entered into her frugal and modest
mind.
Yet it was not an unhappy face
which the fire glow caressed as the big
rocker swung to and fro, each move
ment marked by soft thud, thud, on
the uncarpeted floor. Jenny's charac-
teristic was round softness OF form
and feature, which would make her
look girlish to the end of her life. Her
shrewd blue eyes beamed with kind
ly-g!eam; her mouth, though its or
ners showed care-worn lines, trembled
easily into smile. There was q pleas
ant attraction in the plump little fig
ure, always SO trinity clad and neat, IN
the childish fingers, with their deep
needle pricks. Every body felt it,
from babies who cried to come to her,
to the ladies who supplied her with
sewing. Jel.iy was O favorite, and
this evening. nay, this hour-was to
bring proof of the fact.
For, as she sat, there came knock
at the door-a loud, important knock
and tall form entered, impressive in
capes and buttons, whom Jenny re-
cognized as the rssplendent coachman
Of Mrs. Meredith, a gentle little wild
ow, and one of her best patrons.
"Person here named Forde-Miss
Forde p inquired the dazzling vision.
eyes; that is me-" said Jenny.
"Then here's for you. Compliments
of Mrs. Meredith, and she hopes you'll
have pleasant Thanksgiving"
ooh, thank you, Sir and please
thank Mrs. Meredith"
With a nod he of the capes and
buttons departed, leaving Jenny face
to face with big basket which he had
set upon her table. From under It's
cover an unmistakable drumstick pro-
truded.
II do wonder if it can be turkey"
thought Jenny, as she lifted the cover.
Sure enough it wns a turkey, pill
lowed on celery stalks and sweet pota-
tees, and mounting guard, SO to speak,
over a mould of jellied cranberry.
And what besides? A golden brown
circlet, with edge of Aaky white. Who
can mistake pumpkin pie9 Oh,
kind Mrs. Meredith
The room seemed to have suddenly
grown brighter and warmer, as Jenny,
after putting away these treasures, re-
turned to her chair and the fire How
pleasant it is to BIZ remembered
What happy little woman-yes, for
all that had come and gone-what 6
happy little woman she was So deer
were her pleasant thoughts that she
scarcely heard the second knock which
fell on the. door--a low, tirnid one, es
from the hand of child. = . 81
"Come in" she said, dreamily. The
door opened o little. way, a cold wind
swept in from the staircase, but no one
entered.
"!"Vs!Hl Well, Why ;i!oa': yaa ceme il?
| she called out. No one answering
| she jumped up and went to the door
A little thinly dressed girl stood il
the hall. She was strapgling o sob il
her apron. and at. the sight of jenny
seemed half inclined to run away.
"Oh, please, Miss Forde," she falter
| ed, would you lend mother lump 6
coalP She's got one of her bad head
aches-aud the fires went out---anC
| it's so cold-and Alice md me dom
know what to de-" Another sol
rounded the sentence Ikea period.
| Hard-heartedsas IL sounds, Jenny
first i:upnlse vas 10 refuse. She dix
not k.ow these neighbors Of hers, and
. | aHnco hoo,sV, x,f, z,ayas. spoyv vzthnu