River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-16

y
were welcome.
Next came the Stovers-father and
daughter; then CAME the Brown fami-
| ly. There was quite party, but the
"front room" was a large square one,
with two windows on the south side
and two on the west, and capable of
holding much larger company. 1t
didn't take long for them to feel at
ease, Aunt Jane was SO genial. Annie
and Emma Perkins took one twin
Brown apiece. to rest the tired mother
Tommy Brown and his three little sis
tiers soon left the sitting-room for the
kitchen, to play with Muff. Aunt Jane
gave Miss Slower new receipt for
some cough medicine, which lightened
her feelings, while Mr.. Brown talked
so well and pleasantly that Aunt Jane
almost forgave him for being so shift
less like.
"Oh! screamed Tommy Brown, who
had returned to the sittlngroom for
another apple" and was trying to eat
it with his nose flattened against the
window-pane. There's lots a more
comin'n'
my sakesr calculated Aunt Jane,
who had risen to get better view, eff
there amt 'Siah's folks from Maple
town and Johns folks from the city"
as a light wagon, followed by a stylish
phaeton, drove into the door-yard.
immediately Mrs. Browns heart
sank at the prospect of such grand
company, and Annie and Emma Per-
kins felt uncomfortably as they looked
at their faded dresses, while Miss Slower
sat unconcenedly feeding one of the
twins with bit of apple; She was used
to strangers-she had been out sewing
so many years.
"Well, do declare" said 'Siah's
wife, as she caught II glimpse of the
front room, you've got party, amt
you. Jane?"
'I-we-that is, it's Il feast of the
Lords"
"Oh!" exclaimed 'siah's wife and
Johns.
"Whewl" whistled John under his
breath.
"She, now." said 'Siah
But | think they understood as they
entered the sitting-room.
Mrs. John drew chair near the
"two Perkinses," and Mrs. Brown, and
soon they were all taking together like
old friends. Siah's wife took a seat
by the side of Miss Slower. When
sympathy comes from the heart it
doesn't take one long to find it out,
and Siah's wife, by her hOmely ques-
tioning displayed quite as fine tact as
Mrs. John, and, before long, had her
whole story, and mentally made plans
for the poor girls future, said plans in
Guiding the father. John and Mr..
Brown were soon engaged in a CONVEX
sation on "mechanics' -John's hob
by, and 'Siah and Mr.. Slower alternate
ly talked and dozed, while Aunt Jane
was everywhere, that is, in no particular
place, but talking to all alike.
Altogether, the time passed so pleas
antly that all were surprised when
Aunt Jane said if they'd excuse her,
she must go and see about the dinner.
eve thought, sister Jane" said Mrs.
John graciously, that as we were taking
you by surprise, we would bring the
turkeys and few little delicacies with
us. John dear, bring the hampers
from the carriage"
"An we thought the same" said her
sister-in-law for there was a rivalry ex-
listing between them, friendly, to be
sure, and all on one side, but a rivalry
all the same.) 'Ive got some nice
spare-rib, turkey gobbler, and few
other tixin's. Here, Siah, you just lug
in them baskets from the wagon"
1t took Aunt Jane but short time
to lay the tables, assisted as she was by
two such assistants as Mrs John and
'Siah's wife.
The others offered to help
NO" said Aunt Jane, decidedly.
"You are company. that is, kinder so,
and | want you all to enjoy yourselves
to-day and not think of work
The tables were fairly loaded with
good things-both substantial and
fanciful-from roast turkeys to frosted
cakes, and cut glass vase filled with
tea rose buds, which Mrs John had
brought, while to offset this, 'Siah's
triumphantly placed a silver fruit dish
filled with purple clusters ofgrapes, in
the center of the table.
"Oh, myw said Tommy Brown to
his sisters, as they stood intently watch
ing the culinary operations. Don't
it look like Sunday-school picnic, only
better'n every one"
And when 'Siah asked the blessing,
and thanked the "Giyer of every good
and perfect gift" for their blessing on
this thanksgiving day, | amquite sure
his heart was in unison.
| wish | could tell you of all the
good things said, as well as eaten, and
merry-making afterward, but it would
take too long.
"John's folks" living fartherest
away, went before the others But be-
fore they left, John took Aunt Jane
aside.
'Do you know, sister Jane, what a
genius you have in your neighborhood
"a great inventor in fact?'
Aunt Jane started No, she didn't.
NO? Well, suppose ignorance is ex-
cusable-you women never take inter-
est in such matters. But the fact is,
sister Jane" waving his hand impress
sively, 'Mr Brown has got up an i'm
provement in wringing machine, and
can puthim in the way OF making a
cool ten thousand.
Brown Improvements = wringing
machines, and him so shiftess was
all Aunt Jane could say
| ooh, no! not shiftless, Jane" said her
brother, good naturally; "only working
with his brains instead of his hands,
and the result, you see, las greatly
paid. Why, have just been over to
his work shop and his models were
really wonderful. 1t pleased me more
than any art gallery. And you see it's
going to be great thing forme, too
commissions, etc"-the business pro-
clivities ofthe man asserting themselves
in spite of his charitable intentions.
Meanwhile Mrs. John was making
proposition to the two PerSinses." Il
would like to have you spend the win
ter with mel am sure we would get on
admirably together, and | think Dr.
| B could help ynu From what you
told me, ] don't think your easses are
hopeless"
Such a glad light was in tn cir eyes
as they assented to such benevolent
proposal. No wonder Tommy Brown
whispered to his motheI; "Ch! do look,
ma! don't them Perking' girl faces look
thanksgiving"
And Slabs wife, overhe.ring Mrs.
John, Immediately proposed to Miss
Slower to spend the winter With her.
Miss Slower glanced at her father.
ooh, Ia, l meant him of course.
He'll be as much company for 'Siah
! as YOU'LL be for me- | haze already