Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-12-12

are the only ones left, and don't think
il is right we should live any longer in
this way. According to all accounts
Sarah's been a good wife TO him."
And so that night Miss Finch started
off for visit to her brother.
Captain Abel Jones had just returned
from n voyage TO the Indies, and, as
was his custom, repaired Immediately
TO the home of his cousin Sarah, there
to remain until such time as his ship
should be ready TO start again.
And you hear nothing at all from
JennyP"
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 memories of her were all
part of that happy time.
"No,n said James Finch, sadly.
eve 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 furnished little room.
"She has changed greatly" he said,
4" if she can enjoy her wealth while you
are struggling on in this style; cannot
understand it. But there is nc use in
talking it over. Years ago we decided
that it was incomprehensible
Just Mt that moment Miss James do
nation drove up to the door.
1t was in vain that Mr.. Finch pro-
tested the load was not for him.
His name and address on the card
were correct, and the man refused to
| be convinced.
Then the Captain was impaled as the
sender; but his astonishment was so
evidently genuine, that the veriest
skeptic in the universe could not but
have believed him innocent.
But that mystery!
Mrs. Sarah was utilitarian.
She did not waste her energies in try
ing to imagine where the things came
from-not she!-she rolled up her
sleeves, put on big apron, and went
to work.
o, the marvellous time she had that
day!
But, after all, it was little wonder,
for she impressed everybody-from the
big, good natured Captain, to little six
year old Jimmy-into service.
The Captain and her husband chop
ped mince-meat, and the children beat
eggs and butter sugar, and picked over
the raisins.
Verify the Finch family proved that
though too many cooks may spoil the
broth, they don't spoil a dinner, for a
r-smelling, better-tasting meal
than that of which the Finches par
took the next day, we defy the greatest
epicure in the country to produce.
Miss Jane made her appearance,
bright and early, on Thanksgiving
morning.
Mrs. Sarah was alone in the kitchen
when she entered.
How do you do, SarahP" 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 as a
traitor, whom she would be obliged to
make the best of.
80, Janer' and Mrs. Sarah, with
one rush, left her raisins to take care
of themselves, and gave her husbands
sister heartier welcome than she de-
served by good sight.
Miss Jane didn't return her kiss, but
she suffered it! and though she did NUT
ter " Judas' under her breath think
she was good deal moro comfortable
than she would have been if her
hostess had been as cold and stiff as
herself.
"Draw up to the fire, and take off
your things" and the little woman
bustled about in a whirl of delight.
go, won't James be glad! Dear!
dearl He ought to be here this min
ute"
And then her thoughts went back to
their unknown friend of the day before,
and like a flash the truth came to her.
go, Janep' she went on, with a
gasp, :" see now. 1t was you sent us
the things. o, dear, how can we ever
thank gouP"
Then she rushed back to the rasins,
and for the first time since her entrance
Miss Jane had q chance to put in
word.
She had just opened her mouth, to
say something in explanation of her
sudden appearance, when the door
opened, and in walked Captain Abel.
"Got anything for me to do, SallyP"
he asked, with laugh.
And then the great-whiskered man
stopped short, perceiving the stranger,
who sat just in front of the fire.
Miss Jane had been 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 means.
But for few wrinkles and hard
look, which was the natural result of
her hard life, she would have been q
very handsome woman.
She had not changed so much as the
Captain; but both were recognizable,
and each, after one glance knew the
other.
Mrs Sarah looked up eagerly.
80, Abel, here's Jane-Jane Finch.n
Captain Abel came forward and ex-
tended his hand; but it was an awkward
meeting.
They had not seen each other since
the breaking of their engagement-over
score of years beforehand both of
them were uncomfortably conscious of
the fact.
But Captain Abel drew a chair up to
the fire and tried to talk as if he had
forgotten all about it.
They discussed the weather, the
crops and everything else they cared
nothing about until Mrs. Sarah who was
all in a whirl with the surprise of Miss
James visit, and who could not keep
still, try as she would, broke into the
conversation with.
go, Abel do you remember the last
day we saw Janep Dear what a mess l
was in! was engaged to Jim, and no
body knew it; and mother was bound
you and l should make match of it.
l never shall forget the afternoon we
decided to tell her about it. Goodness,
how cried-on your shoulder too,
Abel-and how you tried to convince
me that poor ma didn't care much a4at
Won and End inst as lnaun Id taln