Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-29
A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. THANKSGIVING.


ITS no use nohow, in our havin' a
Thanksgivin' this year, Belinda" said Dea
Wilkinson, IS he and his wife sat by the
kitchen stove few evenings before the
day appointed, "John and Susan" he con-
tinued, "is goin' over TO her folkses this
year, for its their turn, as they come here
last year; and William and Jenette have
got an invite to her brothers in York
state somewheres or mother, and Mary
and Toms promised to 60 TO his home, SO
there amt anybody, as l see, to come
to ourn, If we make one, for it's too fur
for Harry and Eliza and Fanny to come
from away out west with their families 10
spend Thanksgiving with u.s."
Mrs. Wilkinson continued to knit vigor-
oUsly until the seem needle was out, when
she inserted its end into her silvery gray
hair, scratching her head here and there,
with a thoughtful look on her brow,
while she gazsd into the stove CRATE from
which the bright Goals sent out a werm,
bright glow.
Dea Wilkinson looked at her inqnir-
ingly, for he we'll knew that the knitting
needle would aid in involving an idea
which would be worth needing.
81 don't know about that, SiIas," she
finally said L. low but decisive tone, and
the knitting needle was pushed through
her back hair and again withdrawn. II
don't know about 1t! It's true, as you say,
it don't seem as if the children could be
with Us this time, for we mustn't be too
selfish, and claim them every year, but,
notwithstanding we've'got a good deal TO
be thankful for, Silss, and there's many
a poor Lerson we know who would be
greatful for a little kind attention and a
good supper. I've been thinkin' ont for
several days, ard it's kind o. beat into
me that we ought to have kind of high
way and-hedge Thanksgivin',-such as
the Bible tells about, you know, only that
was wedden' party and ours Thanks
givin', that's all the difference.
"There'd be charity init you know"
she continued, seeing that her husband
was about TO reply adversely, "and
think by our shown little kind atten-
tion in this way to some who scarcely
ever get anything but bad luck, suffering,
hard work and dunning for debts and
such like, in the world, we'd be doin' our
fellow men good service, and there'd be
satisfaction in it, besides"
"Highway and-hedge ThanksgIvin'!
Well, well, that is new thing under the
sun! But who'd you think OF invitin'?''
replied the deacon.
''Oh, there's Samantha Perkins for
one"-
"Bless my soul, Belinda! We couldn't
stand il an hour with her in the house!
She's the disagreeablest, tattlingest, en-
viousest old thing that ever was born!
don't wonder she's an old maid! | should
pity her husband, if she had one. Well
have music, / tell you, when that long
chin of hers gets goin'r' and hs leaned
back in his chair, and laughed immoder-
ately.
81 don't expect to enjoy her socisty;
that is not what should invite her for,
out intend to endure her presence, even
at sacrifice, because she's a we'll
ing, forlorn and needy old woman who
has a very disagreesble disposition TO
contend with and 1 feel sorry for her."
'As for her contending with her dis
position" interposed the deacon, 81 don't
think that is what she knows anything
about. | should Judge that she allowed
it to have its own natooral inclination"
CAS- for her being repulsive in looks"
continued Mrs. Wilkinson, pretending
not to notice the remark, "Ghat's what
she's not responsible for. Size didn't
make her own face aud figger, and so she
certainly ought To be pittied for being
obliged TO carry the ones that she has
through life"
The subject of their discussion seemed
to owe all the world THAI was In better
condition than herself grudge. Work
as hard as she might, going about to do
plain sewing, she could scarcely exc out a
comfortable living. Her narrew mind,
having much leisure for exercise, busted
itself in neighborhood gossip; and if
John Snobbs was "paying attention" to
Julia smith or Janette Jones was engag-
ed to be married to Joseph Smith, Sa-
rlsntha Perkins was sure to be the first
me outside the family to find it out, and
send the news circulating. She had even
been known to run the risk of the fiercest
March wind when her spring cough was
most severe, and walk two miles in the
rain over to the minister's, to find out by
round about questions of the meek min
ister's wife, whether Sally Pratt was to be
married on Tuesday or Wednesday, and
OF the church or cat the house."
"Then there's widow Roland, that I'd
thought of-she's lonely enough, poor
thing, since the loss of her children and
husband--well, I'm not one that likes to say
uncomplimentary things Of the dead, but
don't think he's mucE of loss to the
world; but she mourns for him all the
same as if he hadn't a spent all of hel
property in drink and worse, and left hel
penniless."
"You ought TO have her placed by the
side of Samantha, fer they'd make first
rate representation of Beauty and the
Beast, Samantha always seemed to hate
Jane Rowland because she was better
looking than herself"
"And I'd thought of the Peters family
continued Mrs. Wilkinson, "you know he's
dreadful sot against church members
and is a kind of an unbeIiever because
minister and professin' Christian
don't all of 'em practices what they
preach. he and his wife that never %
anywhere, and the two unruIy twin boys
might get new and better ideas of living
if we showed them more attention. Their
there's old Disk Chapman"
"Whew! you goin' TO go and invite him
when he stuns our turkey and chickens OF
our own lots, lets down our bars so tina
his COWS can get into our best grass ant
feed, and tied tin kittls to old Majo
and broke his leg so shat he'll be a Grip
pie fur life! goin' goin' to vote for oil
Chapmnn's bein' invited to Thanksgivir
support" and the old house dog got u
from back of the warm stove, limeed t
his master laid his great head on hi
knees, and looking up into his face wag
ged his tail vigorously.
"Why not invited him, Silssf Perhap
that will be the very best meals of pre-
ventin' him doin' US any farther injury
1t may make him uore of a man in tn
future. Didn't tell you was goin' int
the highways and hedgesf"
well, go ahead" replied the deacon
laughingly, "what other interestin' spec