The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-11-27

That would te one less mouth 10 feed,
1t any rate, and she'd fare well. :
Z. /. aJsney 10 twelve years old, and has
been brought up to be useful, can wash
dishes, sweep and do great deal of Of
binary work Of household" "..s
"All right Miss Burton. Have the girl
ready when como along back from
town, aud III take her home with me-"
Again in his wagon, farmer Jones
communed with himself
"Don't seem to be much Of show for
. Thanksgivin' dinner at Miss Buttons.
Poor thing! It's agin natur that such
pretty girl a she used to be should have
married that shiftlcss drunken rake, Jim
Burton, only to he left with q lot Of
Young ones ter slave tor"
All that day farmer Jones seemed in an
uncommon grave mood. The town pe0-
ple missed q certain heartiness in his
manner, and not once did his old boy.
like laugh ring out to notify Centerville
that Joel Jones was in town.
1t was almost dark when he reached
the widows cottage, and furious snow
storm had commenced. But securing his
restless team, he stamped into the little
kitchen.
"Its stormin' terribly, Miss Burton,
and guess your little Janey better not
think Of going tonight"
mo, thank you. I fear it would be-
too tedious tor the child. But will you
not be seated, Mr.. Jones, and get warm
hpfrre Won 90 On2"
"Slim chance for that," thought he.
Rut after an awkward pause he answered !:
II would like to have a word with you
in private, Miss Burton"
With an expression Of surprise, she led
the way into the cold and cherries little
sitting room.
"Jane Burton" began he, after clear
ing his throat, "you and have known
each other since We war children. We
was young folks together, and, though
you war CT pile above me, always loved
70. But KNOWN I warn't fit fer ye ter
wipe yer old shoes on, never said a
word, and let yer marry Jim Burton,
while I took Nancy Price. Since then
Their good Lord has taken both on 'em,
lcavin' you with an empty purse and me
with an empty house. Well. ter make \
long story short, ha,n't Lad you out Of
my mind since I was here this mornin',
and my heart is chock full of ye. And
now, Jane, if am good ernuff fer yer,
say 50, and Ill try and do my duty by ye
and the little ones"
During his earnest, stammering speech
tho poor woman had blushed and grown
like a full-blown rose. and actually look
ed youthful again, and like the fair young
girl he had loved before; and tears dimm-
cd her eyes as she answered:
II cannot think tor moment of &C.
cepting so noble and generous an offer.
Reflect what burden YOU would assume.
can bring you nothing but broken con-
stitution and five children. No, my good
friend. shall think Of you ever as the
kindcst and best OF mcn."
She broke down compile tely and could
only extend her hand. The good man
grasped it with vlsc-like pressure, and,
as the little woman began to sob, he took
her in his great, strong arms, and to his
ample breast, whether sht would or no,
aud talked 80 earnestly and long that the
children grew tired Of staying alone in
the dark Cfor the mother had carried
away the lamp, and tho horses were
stamping impa,iently outside in the
storm.
God bless yc, Jane. Ye1l come to a
big heart and a warm, full house," said
the farmer, as tho little woman ut last
smiled consent, and blushcd more than
ever as he fervently kissed he1 and took
his departure.
If ever man walked On air, Joe! Jones
did for the next two days, and Betsy de-
clared to the hired man that he acted
"jest like crazy critter.' He was al
most omniprcsent, went in and out of the
house in d state of mental disquiet, and
mixed himself up with the domestic
preparations for the coming feast in the
most promiscuous fashion. He insisted
upon an immense plum cake being made
stoned raisins, beat eggs-and declared
with many a chuck}c, when it was at
length finished, ''that it looked for all
Their world like brides cake!''
And then when Betsy actually iced it,
and placed wreath Of pressed and dried
gorgeous autumn leaves upon it's bullying
top by way of ornament, he was In costa
Sues.
"Wal, there it is, Joel, and I do hope
you are satisfied for once. Ye will have
q grand dinner, and no one tn it," said
bis sister.
"Don't ye believe that, Betsy. Jist
set the table for fill halt dozen beside
you an me, and see if I dom fetch along
Dme horv 70 fil1 their nlacea whsn I
come hum tomorrow from church,
Betsey gave sniff Of disapproval, but
continued the completion OF the prepar-
ations, thinking what an old fool bcr
brother was getting to be.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear and
bright though very cold, and the good
folks Of Centcrville were quite surprised
to see farmer Jones coming dashing up
to the church door, in his fine new sleigh
with most jubilant chime of bells aud
the Widow Burton snugly tucked beneath
the robes, by his side. And little later
they actually took away the breath Of the
congregation as they marched MP the
aisle-the little woman clinging to his
arm, dressed in some simple gray matcri-
al, with rich shawl about her shoulders
the very one he had purchased the day
before, and a. ho said, ''for sister Betsy"
A pretty little gray velvet hat, with n
dash of lavender and white flowers and
ribbons completed the delicate costume.
They passed many uneccupleu pcws,
and only paused when they had gained
q position opposite the pulpit. And
then, before the wondering people real