Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-11-19


'sThe old lady thinks we'd better wait
till after Thanksgivin'," said simlinn;
ssbut say there's no use putin off the
inevitable. /"
mo, said Celestia, "and there's an
other thing to consider-the being able
to give home to some homeless man at
Thanksgivingp'
Her dark hazel eyes softened as she
spoke, and Noah simlinn looked kindly
at her.
That's Celestia all over" said he.
sShe always thinks of everything"
81 wish your husband was living.
Celestia," said Mrs. simlinn. '1f be
was anything like you, he would be the
very man we want"
81 wish he was, said Celestia, in q
low tone, as she took an armful Of house
hold linen from the big cherry wood
press in the corner and went up stairs.
Celestia Burt had come to the Simlinn
door, six months ago, asking for work.
She had been engaged in the paper mill,
few miles down the Stagg river; but
the occupation had proved too sedentary
for her health, and Mrs Simlinn being
in especial need of help just then, had
engaged her, at eight dollars month.
'sAnd a lucky day it was for me-" said
the old lady, ''for a nicer gal than Ce-
lestia never stepped on shoe leather. She
goes around as quiet as kitten, but
there amt nothin' she never forgets. l
declare, if it had pleased the Lord to
send me daughter like that, wouldn't
have nothin' left to wish for She's seen
trouble, too, poor child, young as she
is, for she's lost her husband; and ]
guess he wasn't much comfort to her,
for that's one eof the things she don't like
to talk about. But there amt no man.
ner of doubt but what she'll marry again,
one of these days. She's deal too
smart and too pretty not to be snapped
up"
The Intelligent office, "as honest Mrs.
Simlinn called it, was not able at once to
supply the good farmers want. There
were p'enty Of men to be had, but some
were too old, others too young--some
wanted exorbitant wages, and others de-
clined to go out to a farm on any terms,
but preferred to remain in town and
loaf around the street corners; and Mr..
Simlinn was beginning to get little dis
couraged. when, one day, the right man
in the right place presented himself.
"Jest in time, said Mr.. Simlinn; "and
I'll hev my peaceable Thanksgivin', arter
ALL"
ssDid you bring him with YOUR said
Mrs. simlinn, peering out through the
white, whirling clouds Of snow which
were already heralding the approach Of
winter.
eyes," nodded her husband; ''and
he's putin up old Black Bill in the
stable. Says he knows all about horses
and likes farm work"
"What sort of looking man is hea.
asked the old lady.
''Wal, he's ruther slim to look at, =
acknowledged Simlinn; ''but he says he's
just up from a long sickness. He's will
ing to come for half-wages till he gets
real strong ag'in. He amt no home of
his own, and he says folks don't have
much chance to get back their strength
in city lodging"
'sPoor fellowl" remarked Mrs. Sim
linn, 'T'm sort O. glad he's goin' to have
thanksgivin' dinner to set down to
this year,
Celestia Burt said nothing; but she
was glad now that she had put the lit
tie bunch of scarlet berries and pressed
leaves in the china vase on the garret
chamber table. There is nothing that
softens ones heart toward other peo-
pes grievances like trouble Of ones
own.
Mr.. Simlinn spread out his chilled
hands before the red glow Of the
fire, with tie complacent air
of one who feels he has done his whole
duty.
''Be we all ready for thanksgivin'f'
said he, looking around the little circle.
eyes, all ready" said Celestia. "The
turkey is all prepared to go into the
oven; the apple tarts were baked to-
day; and there are two chicken pies per-
feet little beauties-on the pantry shelf !;
and stewed the cranberries day before
yesterday"
.'Tt's great comfort to have Celestia
here, to take all these cares off my
mind, . said Mrs. Simlinn, knitting COM
fortably away.
sTea is ready" Celestia said. quietly,
as she set the glittering Britannia ware
teapot on its iron stand, and took pan
of fiaky hot biscuits from the oven.
"Jest go out and holler to the man,
will you, CeIestia97 said Mr.. simlinn
1--WE got my slippers on, and the snow
is gettin' pretty tol'able Deep
ssWhat shall call himan said Celestia,
slipping her trim feet into rubbers, and
tying scarlet plaid shawl on her head
"Wall, swan. you've got me there, =
f(T