Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-08-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Two Thomases.
Tie Embarrassing Way that one Of
Them acted.

Them acted.
| ~ do love this little parlOr-kitchen,
and l pity rich girls who never get
tired, so as to rest in such one. l
couldn't live without the music of the
! tea-kettlc, " said young Belle Haynes,
as she lifted the bright kettle from its
hole and set it on top of the bright
shining stove. The 'parlOr-kitchcn"
was indeed model of neatness and
! cheCrfuiness. The unsightly utensils
had all been removed into an outer
shcdroom. A bright oil carpet, a
red table-cloth, chintz-covered
lounge and rocking-chair, n cheerful
faced clock, and few interesting
| pictures gave an air of quiet refine
ment and hospitablc comfort to the
room. - Now that everything is
ready" she added to her feeble
mother who sat in the gay rocking
chair, - I'll run up to the depot and
meet him. Do you suppose l shall
know him? l was only seven when
he went away, and all l remember of
him is his very white forehead and
i
look handsomest in, my gray or my
blue dress?"
" You are handsome in either"
said the mother, smiling; - but as
You will have the evening work to do.
you had better wear your blue one"
Then the light hearted girl threw
open the cupboard door and said:
= Bread, pies. cake, tongue, ham and
honey. When we sit down to tea
you'll he like
'.'Thc Queen in the kitchen,
Eating bread and honey"
And being unable longer to control
her feelings, she c!apped her plump
hands, and throwing her arms around
her mother, kissed her over and over
again.
Soon after, Bella. arraycd in her
simple fincry, stood in the old grim
depot waiting for her brother, who
had been for eleven years working in
the mines, supporting the little family
at home, and laying up the means of
support for the future.
He had written to his mother:
"Don't bc afraid you'll sec either dcspcradO
or 4 TDWtV. look rough and hard, but ! III
yonr boy for all that. Not an oath or drop
of liquor has passed my lips since they kissed
You. eleven years ago
Was it any wonder his mother and
sister were ovcrjoyed ut his coming?
At six O'Clock the New York train
came laundering up, and quite num-
Der of passengers stopped at W.
The girl eyed them all carefully.
There was but one young man among
them. He was large, and not nearly
as handsome as Thomas ought to be,
according to her idea.
But there was no choice of brothers,
and when she heard him call out to
the baggagcmastcr: I'll send for
my trunks" she ran up TO him and
asked:
L" Is this Thomas?"
&" Yes!" he shouted. - But how
you have grownI"
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 Iingerers in
the depot found their curiosity excited
over the cause of such an affectionatc
meeting. Then lie drew her into
his arm, and they set off together,
laughing and chatting, for five
minutes walk home.
. never was so happy before in
all my life, and neither was mother,
I've got lots of nice things to eat, and
n real soft bed for you to sleep on
and-and''-
- And a warm welcome, which is
better than all! 1t seems mile; why
didn't you let me take n carriage.
little girl:" the young man asked.
"Oh, we never spend our money
so!'' 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 are!'' cried the
young girl, as she ran up the steps of
decent brick house, and then up the
stairs, followed by the newcomer.
She threw open the door of the
parlor-kitchen," and as she did so
the pale old lady came towards them,
with Outstretched arms.
She then drew back a little, and
gazed up at the dark, staIwart fellow
before her, excIaiming:
&" Surely this can never, never be
Thomasl'
- Yes, this is Thomas, but you are
not my mother" he said, still holding
her thin hand tenderly.
Oh, yes, she is your mother
She's only pale and thin - cried Bella.
- No! no." said the poor woman,
sadly.
The stranger replied: - Mo- no."
Turning to his young guide, he added