Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-22

Nose, and that made it harder to bear
nearly choked over the bitter morsel.
"Tilly Bassett, whatever made you
put NORWOOD and catnip in your stuff
fin':" demanded Ma, trying not TO be
severe, for all the rest were laughing,
and lilly looked ready to cry.
Il did it." said Prue, nobly taking all
the blame, which caused Pa to kiss her
on the spot, and declared that it didn't do
mite Of harm, for the turkey was all
right.
II never see onions cooked bet ter
All the vegetables is well done, and the
dinner credit to you, my dears," de-
clared Aunt Cin,hy, with her mouth full
of the fragrant vegetable she praised.
The pudding was an utter failure in
spite of the blazing brandy in which it
lay-as hard and heavy as one of the
stone balls on Squire Dunkin's great
gate. 1t was speedily whisked out Of
sight, and all fell upon the pies, which
were perfect. But lilly and Prue were
much depressed, and didn't recover their
spirits till dinner was over and the eve
ming fun well under way.
Blind buff" Hunt the slip
per" Come Philander," and other lively
games soon set every one bubbling over
with jollity, and when Eph struck up
Money Musk" on his fiddle, old and
Young fell into their places for a dance.
All down the long kitchen they stood,
Mr.. and Mrs. Bassett at the top, the
twins at the bottom. and then away
they went, heeling and toeing, cutting
pigeon wings, and taking their steps in
a way that would convulse modern chill.
dren with their new-fangled romps called
dancing. Nose and lilly covered them
selves with glory BY the vigor with which
they kept it up, till fat A Mt Cinthy fell
into chair, breathlessly declaring that
a very little OF such exercise was enough
for woman of her "heft.''
Apples and cider, chat and singing,
finished the evening, and after a grand
kissing all round, the guests drove away
in the clear moonlight, which came out to
cheer their long drive.
When the jingle Of the last bell bad
died away. Mr. Bassett said soberly, as
they stood together on the hearth {:
Children, we have special cause 20 be
thankful that the sorrow we expected
was changed into JOY, so well read a
chapter fore we 20 to bed, and give
thanks where thanks Is due
Then lilly set out the light-stand with
the big Bible on it. and candle on each
side, and all sat quietly in the freight,
smiling as they listened with happy hearts
to the sweet old words that fit all times
and seasons so beautifully.
When the gOod-nigh,s were over, and
the children in bed, Prue put her arm
round lilly and whispered tenderly, for
she felt her shake, and was sure she was
crying
Don, mind about the old stuffin' and
puddin', deary-nobody cared. and Ma
said we really did do surprisin' well for
such young girls"
The laughter lily was trying TO
smother broke out then, and was so in
fictitious, Prue could not help joining her,
even before she knew the cause Of the
merriment
II was mad about the mis-, axes, but
don't care enough to cry. I'm laughing
TO think how Cad fooled Eph and | found
him out; | thought Nose and Amos
would have died over it when told them
it was so funny" explained lilly, when
she got her breath.
Il was so scared that when the first
orange hi, me, thought il was bull
le'. and scrabbled into the cradle as fast
as could. IL was real mean 10 fright
en- the little ones so" laughed Prue, as
lilly gave growl.
Here a smart rap on the wall OF the
next room caused a sudden lull in the
fun, and Mrs. Basse,t's voice was heard,
saying warningly, Girls, 80 to sleep
immediate, or you'll wake the baby"
"Yes'm," answered two meek voices,
and after few irrepressible giggles, ST.
lence reigned, broken only by an occasi-
onal snore from the boys, or the soft
scurry of mice in the buttery, taking
their par, in this old-fsshioned Thanks
giving.