The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-12-27
Mrs. Dafydo WINS Dinner.

meagre pocket book and cast longing
look at a plump, fat turkey in the village
store.
"To.norrow's Christmas day, to be
sure, but reckon III hev to get along
with chicken this time, fur must git
sugar an currants fur the mince pie, an
cranberries fur sauce. Thank goodness,
I've got potatoes and turuips, anyhow,
and that'li do fur me and Gi!ly."
Gill wasa neighbours little girl, who
stayed with the widow to help 20 the
chores, etc.
II would ask Samantha Jane to din
ner," pursued Mrs. Da0ydown, rs she
trudged home with her purchases, con
~ she'd sniff at hovin' chicken fur din
ner; but goodness knows, l'm thankful
to get that"
The chicken was duly inspected by
Gilly, who soon got over her disapoint-
ment at not having real turkey, and
the widow WIS busily seasoning her
nince- meat, preparatory to maxim; her
pies, when Farmer Mu!forl hitcheu his
sorrel team at the front gate AMI came
in.
"I've brung We letter, Mrs. DITy-
down." he explained, funb'lng in the
pockets of his butternut overcoat.
Thar! Mebbe it's from som, O. yer
folks in the city," and he strobe off.
Mrs. DaHydown broke the seal in sur
prise.
'Sure enough" she exclaimed. "Its
from my Aunt Marian ~ st. louis. 4
want you TO come an spnnl Caristnas
with me- she says, 'Sence the bank
busted up with my money in it. l hain't
seen hide nor taller of my kin folks, an
feel kind of lonesome like. | wunt
promise you turkey fur dinner; but eff
you kin take pot luck, come along. Eve
asked Samantha Jane, too"
"Will you so?" asked Gillv.
"COurse l will. AN I'll take the roast
chckin and mince pies along an bone
q light bread to-. Goodness knows
don't want to be no expense to Aunt
split basket to carry 'em in. Poor Aunt
Mariar! reckon she does want to see
some of her own kin, an I'll 90, if she
did git mad as hops at me fur marryin'
Tom ms cad Of Cousin Bartholomew Dill
dock. III show her Pm wi!in' to let
bygones be bygones, end make up
friends a'gin."
And while Chilly ran over to borrow
the covered bsske. the widows thoughts
flew over the by-gone days.
II might Ii we married Cousin Bar
tholomcw, AMI been happier than I
was with him, too. If hadn'5 made him
jealous just for fun, an then got too
spunky to own up. Well, we'll! what's
done can't be helped nof,' and the
widow sighed IA she turned to haste the
browning chicken, and showed tlaky-
erusled pie into the oven.
She was a : ,oI looking woman still,
with plumr, rosy cheeks, and eyes as
black as sloes.
Il wonder, now, if Samantha Jane IL
eo?" she soliloouized. Reckon III jest
run over an take her that sage she
waited fur seasoning an find out il she's
a-goin'."
Samantha Jane was the widows cou.
sin.
mo" che snapped, biting raisin in
two as if she WAS conferrlng a favor on
it. II amt a goin step. Aunt Marian
never Ike, led to see her kin.to'ks when
she was we'll of, and now It she's poor
they don't keer 10 see her. An fur my
part" added Samantha Jane, II shan't
never forgive her. anyhow, fur maxim
Trouble a.tWecn me an Cousin Barthol-
,mew. If it hetin't been fur her we
night a"married long ago"
The widows cheeks grew redder than
Usual at this assertion, for she knew
Cousin Bartholomew had been her lover,
but when Samantha Jane took a notion
in her head, "a!I the kings men" couldn't
get that idea cut again.
Samantha was undeniably an old
faaid, but the widow had serious doubts
rs t. whether Aunt Maria hal any hand
in shaping her adverse deatiny.
Christmas morning dawued bright
nnd clear, but. cold as blue blazcs,,' as
Farmer MuyHord said, az he ilitchcd his
sorrels at the cottage gate once more,
and went in to warm his hands and wait
Tor the widow, who was to ride to the
station with him.
"Want this here split basket tuck
along?" he asked, good naturally. while
Mrs. Datfydown settled her "beau catch
ars' AMI added a Little starch to her
llce to hide tho faint traces Of crows
feet that lurkci at the corners Of her
eyes.
La. yes!" returned the widow and
tripped out to the wagon, while her es-
cort followed with the basket
An old lady in neat and faded dress
sat lookin. eagerly from the window Of
tenement house in st. Louis.
II do wonder il thev'll Gomez" she
,nuttered uneasilv &c herself 81 think
Samantha will. She aElus seemed fond
Of me; but Felicia had temper OF he:
own, and as fur nephew Bartholomew,
Of course he'll never forgive what SAID
10 him when re WAS SO contrary"
"Oh. yes, he will, Aunt Maria" cried
u hearty voice, as Bartholomew himself
burst in, natured and manly, and
quite you hful looking for his forty odd
years. And l've saved up IL little
money, too, aunt; SO you shan't ever
know want again, if you have lost your
fortune. And here's my vie, that is to
be-" he added, leading in plump
chez ked, rosy women, in Mother
Hubbard cloak and poke. bonnet, wi n
lilac ribbons.
"Why, lists Felic,ar' graspea
Aunt Maria, astonished, while the wild
ow's black eyes danced with delight.
"Of course its Felicia" explained
Cousin Bartholomew. II met her on
the train, and she's got the Christmas
dinner along, already cooked. We are
nll going to eat it right here, and then
have the wedding and 90 house hunt
ing afterward. For this house is rather
small, Tor two families" he added, with
glance at the barely furnished room.
but there is an need Of house hunt
ing" smiled Aunt Maria. My carriage
will be here before long, and nv house
is big enough for us all"
1t was the visitors turn to be aston
ished now.
"Your carriage!" they stamEered, 81
amt as poor as Jobs turkey yet, If did
lose few thousand dollars when the
bank broke. And I mean to leave it all
to you two when die. l ehan't leave
Samantha Jane red cent, for not com.
ing to me when she thought was
poor" she added EN- phatically.
And instead of roast chicken for hel
Christmas dinner, the Widow Daily
down partook of a bountiful repast Of
roast turkey stuffed with oysters, an,
the usual Accomplishments of Christ
mas feast.
n 4
"Why couldn't Aunt Marian hev sale
she was a-eoin' to invite Cousin Bar.
thOlomew?" grumbled Samantha Jane