The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-07
AT EITHER END OF THE WISH
BONE.


1t was Thanksgiving-eve. The dusk
was falling fast, and something else be-
sides the dusk, namely, fine cold sleet,
which coated the sidewalks with Slip
perry crust, and smote the face of each
wayfarer with little singing slaps, as
who should say, "Take these with Win
ter's compliments; he is just behind,
and sends his card on thus by me-"
Thanksgiving-eves notunfrequently are
of this uncomfortable pattern. 1t may
be natures happy device for enhancing
by contrast the cheer and comfort of
the season, making the fireside seem
brighter, the dinner more tempting and
savory. But how about those who have
no firesides or dinnersP
Jenny Forde belonged only in part to
this destitute class. She had fireside,
so far as stove with an open CRATE about
eight inches across deserves to rank
under that coy name. 1.-THE Blue
bell of Scotland,n the stove called it.
self. Adopted into use among our
best Fifth avenue families" its adver-
tisement stated, "and deservedly a IA
vorite in the very highest circles"
Jenny was proud of her stove. She was
quite sure that no one not an expert
would suspect its useful qualities, or de-
tect the handy little oven hidden away
behind among the ornamental twirls
and scrolls, or the place for potatoes
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 and that redolence
of scorched backing which is the prop
erty of little stoves all the world over
The shade was pulled down over the
window, the lamp set unlit upon the ia
BILE, and Jenny, in her Connecticut
rocking-chair, was seated for the I'M
wonted 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 extrava-
gance of Thanksgiving feast OF 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 movement
marked by a SOFT thud, thud, on the I'M
carpeted floor. Jenny's characteristic
was round softness of form and feat
ure, which would make her look girlish
to the end of her life. Her shrewd
blue eyes beamed with kindly CLEAN;
her mouth, though its corners showed
care-worn lines, trembled easily into a
smile. There was a pleasant attrac-
ton in the plump little figure, always
so trinity clad and neat, in the childish
fingers, with their deep needle pricks.
Everybody felt it, from babies who
cried to come to her, to the ladies who
supplied her with sewing. Jenny was
favorite, and this evening-nay, this
hour-was to bring proof of the fact.
For, as she sat, there came a knock
at the door-a loud, important knock
and tall form entered, impressive in
capes and buttons, whom Jenny recog-
nized as the respondent, coachman of
Mrs. Meredith, a gentle little widow,
and one of her best patrons.
"Person here named Forde-Miss
FordeP" 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.
80, thank you sir; and please thank
Mrs. Meredith"
With a nod he of the capes and but
tons departed, leaving Jenny face to
face with big basket which he had set
upon her table. From under its cover
an unmistakable drumstick protruded.
Il do wonder if it can be turkey"
thought Jenny, as she lifted the cover.
Sure enough, it was a turkey, pillowed
on celery stalks and sweet potatoes,
and mounting guard, so to speak, over
a mold of jellied cranberry. And