Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-11-24

his abrupt departure his family had left
America and gone to live upon an estate
in the south of France, which had been
for centuries the property OF his fathers
family how two years previous TO this
visit he had returned TO his home, and
since then conducted his fathers affairs;
how now, that he was again in our
country, he had hurried TO claim the
offer of friendship which my mother
had once made him. and which he had
ever priced, and how startled he had
been on meeting me by my likeness TO
my mother. "For you are her second
SELF" said he, addressing me for the
second time.
Now was my time. Eyes, every one
says that ] look like mamma" re-
piled, adding, pardon me one mo-
ment," and then whispered quickly in
mammals ear, "will pot.herbs do for
the turkey.dressing?'
A smile broke over mammals face
which showed she was amused at my
embarrassment.
1--WE need not make state secret OF
this" she said, and then addressing her
friend, added: "My little girl has had
but poor preparation for her present
occupations" And Mr.. Cardolet, gazing
at me, the picture of discomfort, said
impulsively: Pray, what is the mat
ter; can l help you?'
"Oh, Emile, cried mamma, laughing
with a merry. almost youthful laugh,
"you are impulsive and generous as
ever, but you can hardly help here.
Rita has given the maid n holiday, and
Is now in a quandary about pr pairing q
turkey for dinner"
"Of course l can help" cried our
guest. Miss Rita, your mamma aud
1 are very old fricndG, and as you are
your nam mas very self, you aud / are
old friends. And as I never allow a
friend to be in trouble without lending
him helping hand, intend with your
permission to help you cook the TURKEY" ."
The thought of taking him into the
kitchen was too much for me, and /
fairly cried:
"Oh, indeed, l am not 40 stupid. /
can get along, indeed can" Mamma
had no opportunity to say anshing. Mr..
CaIdolet and had It all to ourselves;
poor little dear, she could only laugh
at my evident confusion, and his eager
offers, as she had not laughed for many
long ycar.
Now let me help" continued be,
and il / have not lost the skill OF old
camping days, when not only cooked
the turkeys, but caught them, and
som etimes, fear, none too lawfully, I
will make you n dinner that a gourmet
might be thankful for"
Jus. then the children came in from
church. Nellie, the youngest. an enfant
terrible, delig hted with the merry
stranger, in our gloomy house, entered
at once into any plan that would deiain
him, and, bringing one of my cooking
aprons, gave it to him and offered 10
show him the way to the kitchen.
See, / am unanimously elected,
Miss Rita; you will have to let me join
your staff"
Mamma. to my astonishment, offered
no objection, but said: "Go on, Rita,
dear, and meantime will read the let
ters Emile has brought me from his
family"
And so from our frat meeting he has
been shouldering my burdens, and max.
ing life, which looked so gloomy, a con.
slant ioy-T had almost said jest.
That Thanksgiving dinner vas a success.
The children said 30. and Emile aud I
have aimee said so. II was not long
after II that Emile Cardolet told me
that be hEd big love for me. You
may know how great it is, my darling, "
he said, "vhen tell you Il has been
growing moro years than you have been
growing. I. was planted by your like
ness when you we're yet an angel in
heaven. Ihave crowded It down, buried
ii, smothered 1t and believed / had
dwarfed IL; but when met you on the
step Thanksgiving morning ii sprang
into full life, and overwhelmed me with
its magnitude"
Dear reader, need tell you that Il
also overwhelmed me with its magni.
tude, or that Thanksgiving Day was for
m day of Thanksgiving, indeedP