The Republican journal., 1881-11-24
NUMBER ~.

Tilly and Prue were so elated by the
commendation of Ma and the aunts, that
they set forth their dinner, sure every
thing was perfect.
But when the eating began, which it
did the moment wraps were off, then
their pride got fall; for the first person
who tasted the stuffing Gtwas big Cousin
Nose, and that made it harder to bear)
nearly choked over the bitter morsel.
"Tilly Bassett, whatever made you put
wormWood and catnip in your stuf1in' 2"
demanded Ma, trying not to be severe,
for all the rest We're laughing, and lilly
looked ready to cry.
~ did it" said Prue, nobly taking all
the blame, which caused Pa to kiss her
on the spot and declare that it didn't do
a mite of harm, for the turkey was all
right.
~ never see onions cooked better. All
the vegetables is well done, aud the din
ner credit to you, my dears," declared
Aunt Cinthy, 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 Durkin's great gate
1t was speedily whisked out of sight, and
all fell upon the pies, which We're perfect.
But Tilly and Prue We're much depressed
and didn't recover their spirits till dinner
was over and the evening fun we'll unde?
way.
"Blind-m Buff "Hunt the slipper"
Come Philander," and other lively
games soon set every one bubbling over
with iollity, 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 way that would convulse
modern children with their new tangled
romps called dancing. Nose and lilly GOV
cred themselves with glory by the vigor
with which they Kept it up, till fat Aunt
CinthY fell into a chair, breathlessly de-
claring that a very little of such exercise
was enough for woman Of her theft"
Apples and cider, chat and singing
finished the evening, and after grand
kissing all round, ,le guests drove away
in the clear moonlight which came out to
cheer their long drive
When the jingle OF the last bell had
died away, Mr., Bassett said sobery, rs
they stood together on the hearth; "ChiI-
dren we have special cause to be thank
tul that sorrow we expected was turned
into Joy, 50 We'll read i chapter fore we
so to bed, and give thanks where thanks
are due"
Then Tilly set out the light-stand with
the bic 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 50 beautifully.
When good-nighJs were over and the
children in bed, Prue put herarms round
Iilly and whispered tenderly, for she felt
her shape, and was sure she was crying:
'Dont mind about the cid stutfing and
puddin', deary- nobody cared, and Ma
said we really did do surprisin' we'll for
such young girls"
The laughter lilly was trying to smOth-
er broke out then, and was so infectious,
Prue could not help joining her, even be
fore she knew the cause Of the merriment.
n was mad about the mistakes. 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 50 funny" explained Tilly, when
she got her breath.
IL was SO scared that when the first
orange hit me, thought it was bullet,
and scrabbled into the cradle as fast as
could. 1t was real mean to frighten the
little ones So" laughed Prue as Tilly
gave groWl,
Here smart rap on the wall of the
next room caused sudden lull in the fun,
and Mrs. Bassett's voice was heard, say
ing warningIy, "Girls, 20 to sleep imme-
diate, or you'll wake the baby"
"les'm," answered two meek voices,
and after a few irepressible giggles, 81
lence reigned, broken only by an occa-
sional snore from the boys, or the soft
seurry of mice in the buttery, taking their
part in the Old fashioned Thanksgiving.