Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-28


not for him. His name and address on
the card were correct, and the man re-
fused to be convinced. Then the captain
was impaled as the sender; but his aston
ishment was so evidently genuine that the
veriest skeptic in the universe conld not
but have believed him innocent
But that mystery. Mrs. Sarah was a
utilitarian She did not waste her ener-
gies in trying to imagine where the things
came from-not she. she rolled up her
sleeves. put on big apron and went to
work.
Oh, 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 chopped
mince-meat, and the children beat eggs
and butter and 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 better
looking, better smelling. bctter-tasting
meal than that Of which the Finches par
took the next day, we defy the greatest
epicurc 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 ..Ifow do you do, Sarah?" said
she. not very cordially. it must be confess
ed, 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-la law except rs traitor,
whom she would be obliged to make the
best of.
"Oh. Jane ~ and Mrs Sarah, with one
rush, left her raisins to take care OF them
selves, and gave her husbands sister
heartier welcome than she deserved by
good sight.
Miss Jane didn't return her kiss. but she
suffered it. and though she did mutter
Judas :" under her breath. | think she
was a great deal more 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 hustled
about in a whirl Of delight. ''Oh, won't
James be glad! Dear dear. He ought TO
be here this minute"
And then her thoughts went back to
their unknown friend of the day before,
and like flash the truth came to her.
'.Oh. Jane" she went on. with a gasp,
Il see now. 1t was you sent us the things.
Oh. dear, how can we ever thank yon'"
Then she rushed back to the raisins and,
for the first time since her entrance, Miss
Jane had a chance to put in word. She
had just opened her mouth. to say some
thing in explanation OF her sudden appear
ancc, when the door opened. and in walk
ed Captain Abel.
Got anything for me to do Sally? ?" he
asked, with a 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 ewes were bright. her teeth were as
white "a ever, and her dimples were not
things OF the past. by any manner of
means. But for "A few wrinkles and Il hard
look which was the natural result of her
hard life, she would have been very
handsome woman. She had not changed
so much as had the captain; but both were
| recognizable. and each after one glance,
| knew the other.
| Mrs. Sarah looked up eagerly.
'Oh. Abel, here's .Iane-,Iane Finch. y
Captain Abel came forward and eS-
| tended his hand: but il was an awkward
meeting
! breaking Of their cngagement-over Il
| score of wears before and both of them
were uncomfortable conscious of the fact.
Bnt Captain Abel drew 4 chair up to
the fire. and tried to talk rs if he had for
gotten all about it,
They discussed the weather, the crops
and everything else they cared nothing
| about. until Mrs. Sarah who was all in n
whirl with the surprise of Miss Jane 5
| visit. and who could not keep still. try as
she would. broke into the conversation
with:
''Oh Abel. Ito You remember the last
dav we saw Jane? Dear what a mess
was in was engaged 20 Jim. and no
| body knew it; and mother was bound you
and should make match of it. | never
shall forget the afternoon we decided to
! tell her all about it. Goodness. how
| cred-on Your shoulder. too, Abel-and
| how vol tried To convince me that poor
ma didn't care much about you. and had
| Just rs leave Id take somebody elst
| YOU only explained it to her properly
and YOU were right, tool
And the little woman. quite overcome
by these "reminiscences. opened the oven
door. and. commenced an energetic
basting of the turkey contained therein.
Poor Miss Jane was too much astonisbed
nv this revelation tn he prudent.
And wasn't YOU in love with Sarah !?
She asked brcathlesslv. of the captain,
.In love with Sarah he repeated.
why. was engaged to YOU
Il know it" She said. but thought
you--"
And then she stopped suddenly short.
Thought what ?'|and the captain drew
! his chair eagerly toward her. WAS that
the reason you acted so toward me
If silence gives consent. Miss Jane con-
| fcssed that il was. and he went on (NIrs.
Sarah had discreetly turned her back. and
was very busy hunting for things in the
| kitchen cupboard.)
| We'll. now that YOU know il WASH t SO.
! what are you going 10 do about ii p And
/ Captain Abel hitched his chair closer still.
| Miss Jane didn't pretend not to under
stand Were too old she murmured.
But mouth after she was Mrs. Abel
Jones: so it is to be supposed that Cap
tain Abel vetoed that notion.