Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-11-29


Chapmnn's bein invited to Thanksgivin'
support" and the old house dog got up
from back of the warm stove, limsed to
knees, and looking up into his face wag-
ged his tail vigorously.
"Why not invited him, Silas? Perhaps
that will be the very best meas of pre-
ventiE' him dom us any farther injury.
1t may make him more of man in the
future. Didn't tell you was goir' into
the highways and hedgssY"
"Well, 20 ahead" replied the deacon,
Isugbingly, "@hat other interestin' speci
men5 have sou 10 bring on to the STAGE"
"Theres two others I'd thought Off,
poor old Mira. Crane, who has been feeble
SO long, 1--WE can send George over With
the carriage for her, you know, 10 will
ohirk her up o sight. Shed one, the
other Is sweet Alice Doaue, with her
dwarf figger and curved spine. George
can call and take her IN on his way back.
[ reckon cur table can 10 made so sect Y
by putting in all the extension leaves;
lem me see, Samantha, Jane Rowland and
the four Peterses in six, Dick Chapman
Mrs. Grand and Alice Diane is nine, and
you aud me and George is just IL. We
couldn't invite more without erowdin'
and everybody wants elbow room at the
table, es peoially at Thanksgiving table,"
and Mrs. wilkinson drew her knitting
needle through her back hair again, aud
proceeded to knit as though load were
off her mind.
well do as you're mind, mother"
(be always called her mother when feel
4 Il. l.. l..
than usual); ~ shan't object TO anything
you see fit to do, but you'u have a mixed
up company on your hands, | can assure
youW
"Never mind" replied Mrs Wilkin son
'if you'll do your part, I'll do mine, and
| think the satisfaction we'll get out of it
will pay us for the trouble"
The motley guests were invited, much
to their surprise, for to each it was a
very unusual thing to receive kind at
tention from anyone, and no one among
them knew of the others
who shared the invitation. Mrs.
wilkinson made all the necessary Gull
nary preparations for the occasion and
being noted in that section for her cook
ing, the anticipation Of a seat at her
table at Thanksgiving was rare treat to
those whose means permitted them to
enjoy but the bare necessities of life.
All the day long on that eventful day,
savory odors were emitted from Deacon
WilkinsoD's kitchen, and his good wife
with flushed cheeks was busy hero and
th,re, now basting the turkey aud the
roast pig, now turning the chicken pie or
pudding, or making the pastry or other
essentials while the deacon kept the cook
ing range we'll replenished with fuel and
assisted in picking the turkey and the
chickens.
Tim Peters, Who CHANGED to 60 by about
noon, hurried home to his twin brother
Tom, with: "Tom we're going TO have an
awful bang-up supper over to Deacon
Nilkinsou's, this afternoon, and | was
inst past the house and it smelt dreadful
good olear out in the street."
Mrs. Wilkinson had scarcely had time
to set her "best room to rights and sc,
il we'll warmed, before Samantha Perkins
puts in an appearance.
~ alters make 1t point to go early"
she said, IA Mrs WILKINSON opened the
door to admit her,-whether it be to
prayer meetin' or visitin',n and she
stalled in and seated her tall ungainly
form in the rocking chair with au cough!
1t does make me puff so TO walk mp hill;
but then, poor folks can't expect to ride,
or have a team sent for 'sm TO 60 any
where"
Just walk right in there, Samantha,
and lay your things on my bed in that
droom, and make yourself comfort
able, and excuse me for a few moments, -
said Mrs. wilkinson, without appearing
in the least annoyed at the ungrecious
hint from her guest.
Samantha Perkins walked into the bed
room adjoining the parlor, removed her
bonnet and faded shawl, took survey of
herself IN the little mirror on the bureau,
brushed down with her palms a few stray
obstinate hairs on heS thin crown, smooth
ed down her linen collar, and carefully
tucked out of sight darn in the gathers
of her much worn alpaca dress. Then
she peered about the room into every lit
tie hook and corner, partly opened two or
three bureau drawers TO ascertain their
contents, with mental commtnt. "Wall,
Belinda was always counted good
housekeeper, and l should know it by the
looks OF her bureau draws; but land
sakes alive, l should never think of keep
in my lannels ia the same draw with
90 ton thiugsn Seating herself by the
front window, she pulled from her pocket
partially knit stocking, and adjusting
her steel-bowed spectacles, commenced
knitting. After while she espied Dea
WIlkinSons hired man George, driving
mp to the gate with Mrs. Crane aud Alice
DOaue
"Gracious!" she exclaimed to herself, 81
wonder it thew b. EN- invited Do they
take me for an equal with town poor
folks! They can send their team for
auca folks, but not f. mel never WAS
so much surprised in my life" she ex-
claimed rs Mira, Crane slowly seated her
self y the fro and Alcs with her dwarf,
bent body was warming her poor thin
hands 10y the stove. II didn't expect TO
see you here
The pale face Of Mrs. Crane, thai al.
ways seemed uttegiug Is speechiess apol-
ogy Tor her existence, appeared shade
paler as she replied: " WAS very kind
indeed of Mrs. Wilkinson TO invite us
Alice Doaue's cheeks flushed, and she
wiuked fast to check the tears that were
starting in her large wistful gray eyes.
Mrs. Crane had long been an invalid,