Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-11-27
THE LOST BILL.
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

and millinery emporium. That was
how they made acquaintance in the
first place -nodding and smiling at
each other in the intervals of serving
customers. When they came to speak
ing, and by easy stages TO the innocent
confidence Of their age they found they
were companions in so many ways
each being orphaned. poor, lonely and
vety sociahle-it was natural that they
should presently exchange VOWS of e.
ternal friendship.
They then hired little room togeth,
er, paid equal parts of its humble rent.
and went partners in their frugal house
keeping expenses and when they
drank their coffee and ate their
! Vienna roll opposite each other, across
a dainty little table they felt as if they
had a home once more.
MilIy was fair, ,pleasant-looking girl,
with soft blue ayes, lrOwn hair, and a
fresh red-and white complexion Josie
was tall, slight. dark and pale, with
glossy black hair and large, dark
brown eyes-a very handsome girl.
as was often remarked by ladies when
she served them, with a rather queenly
air.
The girls were a direct contrast in
personal appearance-another reason
for their attraction toward each other
Mill and Josie had not large salaries
the firm which employed them was
not remarkable for generosity quick
sales, small profits and very small SAL
aries was the rule, in the "great empor-
ium."
However, by dint of incessant econ
omy, and by reason of sharing expen-
ses, Milly and Josie contrived 20 put
aside small sum weekly toward a lit
tie fund for great Thanksgiving cele-
bration.
They were both New England girls,
and in their childhood's days that day
had ever been one of great rejoicing
and much merrymaking in the homes
that remained n)w only as beau tiful
and hallnwed memory.
But for once they determined to
make 1t as much Of a joyous reality as
the flight Of years and the loss of
friends and relatives would allow.
They laid out in imagination quite a
sumptuons entertainment and on
counting up their savings few days
before the festiye occasion, and find
ing that they amounted to the magnii-
cent sum of ten dollars, both girls felt
justified in inviting IA few friends to
help them eat their turkey.
Mrs. Hobson, their landlady, ,promis-
ed to roast the noble bird, and asked
permission to contribute mince and
pumpkin pie while the girls them.
selves undertook the cooking of the
cranbery sauce and vegetables on their
own tiny gas stOve-for each felt tnat
half the fun OF the entertainment would
be lost unless they personally superin-
tended portion OF the cooking.
The great dav approach 'd,and it was
Thanksgiving Eve, and of course their
marketing had to be done after store
hours, for neither had been able to get
leave of absence during the day time,
the emporium being more than usually
thronged because of the comiug holi-
day.
"Come, Josie ~ called Millv. from
the door of their room, as she drew on
her neat gloves, Josie having stepped "a
cross the hall for a moment to ask their
rheumatic nelghbor, just opposite,
whether they could do her any service
while they were out shopping.
Eyes, dear" Josie answered. "Go
on, Milly-I will overtake you at the
door"
Milly went on, as directed, very leis-
urely. and buttoning her gloves as she
decended the stairs.
When she reached the lower hall, she
waited for Josie before opening the
door.
| Minute after minute passed, and
growing impatient, she amused herself
by drumming with the tips of her flu
gers on the hanisters.
Five minutes passed, and, with ii
slight exclamation, she ran half way
upstairs again.
'Comp, JOsie-it is getting late -
she called out, rs she re,raced her
steps. I'VE will find nothing w,E,h
buying"
"Oh, dear, dear !" responded Josie,
in voice of mingled distress and per-
plexity.
Milly hurried up the remaining stair,
and hastened into their room.
Josie was wildly searching about the
apartment, moving table, chairs, beau :
reau-even the bed in a state of utter
despair and bewilderment.
| Milly could not repress slight laugh,
her friend looked SO wildly anxious
and distressed, for no apparent cpuse.
"What in the world is the matter
J l.