Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-07-01
THE TWO THOMASES.
The Embarrassing Way That One
OF Them Acted.

The Embarrassing Way That One
of Them Acted.
"I DO love this li:tle parlor-kitchen.
and | pity rich glrls who never get
tired. so rs to rest in such ono. 1
couldn't live without the music OF q
tca-kcttlc." said young Bella Haynes.
as she lifted the bright kettle from its
hole and set iton the top of the shining
stove. The 'parlor-kitchcn' was in-
deed u model of ncatness aud cheerful
ness. The unsightly utensils had all
been removed into an outer shed-room.
A bright oil carpet, red tablc-cloth. n
chm,z-covcred lounge and rocking
chair. a cheerful-faccd clock, and few
interesting pictures gave an air of quiet
refinement and hospitablc comfort to
the room. Now that every thing is
ready she added. To her feeble mother
who sat in the cay rocking-chair, I'll
run up TO the depot and meet him. Do
YOU suppose shall know him? Twas
only seven when hc went away, and
all remember of him i his very white
forehead and his very red cheeks.
Which do look handsomcst in, my
gray or my blue drcsS?'
You are not very handsome in
either said the mother, smiling; "but
~ YOU will have the evening work 10
do. YOU had better wear your blue
one"
Then the light-hcarted girl threw
open the cupboard door and said;
"Grcad, pies, cake, tongue. ham and
honey. When we sit down to tea.
you'll be like
"'rhe Queen in the kitchen,
Eating bread aud honey"
And being unable longer to control her
feelings, she clapped hcrplump hands,
and throwing her arms around her
mother. kissed her over and over again.
Soon after. Bella, arrayed in her SIM
pie iincry, stood in the grim old depot
waiting for her brother, who had been
for eleven wears working in the mines,
supporting the little family ut home.
and LAYING up the means of support for
the future.
He had written to his mother:
Don't be afraid you'll see either a
desperate or rowdy. l look rough
and hard. but I'm your boy for all that.
Not an oath nor drop of liquor has
passed my lips since they kissed you.
eleven years ago"
Was it any wonder that his mother
and sister were overjoyed at his COM
ing? At six o'clock the New York
train came laundering up. and quite a
number of passengers stopped at
W. The young girl eyed them all
carefully. There was but one young
man among them. He was too large,
and not nearly rs handsome rs Thomas
ought to be. according to her idea.
But there was no choice of brothers,
and when she heard him call out TO the
baggagc-master: "rll send for my
trunks" she ran up to him and asked:
''Is this Thomas?'
"Yes.' he shouted. "But how you
have grown"
He lifted her in his great strong
arms to level with his sunburnt face,
and kissed her three or four times so
heartily that the few lingerers in the
depot found their curiosity excited over
the cause of such an aflectionate meet
inc. Then he drew her hand into his
arm. and they set of together, laugh
ing and chatting. for five minutes
walk homo.
IL never was so happy before in all
nv life. and neither was mother! I've
got lots OF nice things to eat, and a
real soft bed for you to sleep on.-and
and
"And a warm welcome. which is bet
ter than all! IL seems a mile; why
didn't you let me take a carriage, little
girlP" the young man asked.
"Oh. we never, never spend our
money sou was the answer
"oh. you are too prudent! I'm
afraid mother is growing miserly, and
boarding up her money" said Thomas.
laughing.
.well. here we sre!" cried the young
girl. as she ran up the steps of de-
cent brick house, and then up the
stairs, followed by the new conner.