Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-11-15
and leave the spot where he was

never would have mortgaged his house
and farm.
Six per cent seemed a golden invest
ment; and besides - besides, Ursula
had liked Stephen Gregson, with his
bright, blue eyes, his clear voice, and
his contagiously sanguine tempera-
ment.
when I've made my fortune, Ur-
snla," he had said, gaily, IN come
back and marry YOU"
Don't talk nonsense, Stephen" she
had said, with laugh.
But it had not seemed like nonsense
in the secret depths of her heart.
She had pondered many and many a
time over his emphatic words, but they
had failed to come true.
Probably Stephen Gregson hadn't
made the expected fortune. Certain
it was that he had not come home to
marry her. And Ursula was begin
ming to coincide with Grandfather
Halls misanthropic theory = that all
the world was askew
Grandmother Hall was silent. She
was glad now thai she had never told
her husband and Ursula about the
twenty-five dollars that she had lent
cousin Abby Miller the boarded store
of silver in the stocl1ing-leg, which she
had parted with to help the friendless
old maid to open a little millinery in
the city.
I'm afraid it'smoney thrown away"
thought Grandmother Hall. Il did
S'pose Abby would at least have writ
ten word about it. But there! what is
the use of crying about spilled milk !?
| dare say Abby feels as bad about it
as do, poor, solitary creetur! Anyway,
Ursuly," she said, breaking the oppres-
sive silence, "there's one thing we have
to be thankful for the pumpkins
ripened splendidly in the corn-stubble
and guess you'd better slice up one
tonight for the pies; and father must
cut the hen-turkey's head off bright
and early. 1t may be our last Thanks
giving in the old place, and We'll keep
it as it ought to be kept. Come, the
tea is draWn-we'H all feel better for a
good, hot cup
faint no use" said old Mr., Hall,
shaking his head. Nothing amt no
use"
Ursula, too, was discouraged. Grand
mother Hall saw it in her face, even
though she spoke no word.
They had scarcely seated themselves
at the little round cherry-table, when
a knock came to the door.
"It's the sheriff to serve the mort
gage paper said old Mr.. Hail. whose
ideas of the law were rather vague.
"It's Lewis Crawford after the eggs"
said Mrs. Hall, more hopefully.
But it was neither one nor the other
1t was a little old woman in black
silk hat, respectable cloth cloak and
a brown-stuff dress-Miss Abby Miller
herself.
Good evening, Cousin HALL" said
she. "Pve come to spend Thanksgiv-
ing with YOU"
"And you're kindly welcome" "chirped
the old lady. "Ursu.y, set chair for
Abby, and take her things"
"But first" said Miss Abby, "I
must pay my debts. Here's the twenty
five dollars / borrowed of you, with
ten dollars for interest; and | know,
Cousin Hall, you'll be pleased to know
that I've prospered and made money
in the millinery business, that never
could have got into if it hadn't been
for your good nature and generosity.
And here" producing willow basket
nearly as large as herself, "is the
finest turkey in Fulton Market, and
three quarts of cranberries, and a doz-
en- of oranges, and pot of guaya jelly;
my contribution 20 to-morrow's house
keeping. And If it was forty times as
much, it wouldn't be half what | owe
you, Cousin HALL"
And Miss Abby Miller, failing in an
attempt to laugh, began to cry, and
ended up by hugging old Mrs Hall with
all her might.
Tea was hardly over before a new
visitor arrived on the scene-Doctor
Purdy, the chairman of the local board
of trustees.
whats this about Squire Deans
daughter ousting you from your place,
Miss Hall?" he asked.
"I have been told" began Uusula.
"No matter what you have been
told" said the doctor. "I've seen Mr..
McAllister, and he and l both agreed
that you are not to be disturbed. You
suit us exactly, and we intend that you
shall retain the position, if there were
dozen Miss Deans to be provided for.
You'll remain, eh?"