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

| lHe carriaRo ioE ner, you Know, IL VII
chirk her up sight. She's Jne, the
other is sweet Alice Dosne, with bel
dwarf fgger and curved spine. Georgt
can call and take her in on his way back
l reckon Cur table can be made to seat Il
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 and me and George is just II. We
couldn't invite more without crowdin
| and everybody wants elbow room at the
table, especially at g Thanksgiving table,
| and Mrs. Wilkinson drew her knitting
needle through her back hair again, and
proceeded to knit as though load were
| off her mind.
''WelI, do as you're a mind, mother -
| (he always called her mother" when feel
ing a little more tenderly towards her
thar usuaI); 81 shan't object to anything
you see Fl to do. but you'll have mixed
up company on your hands, can assure
your
"Never miad," replied Mrs. Wilkinson
off 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 aud
being noted in that section for her cook
ing, the anticipation of seat at her
table at Thanksgiving was rare treat to
those whose means permitted them to
enjoy but the bare necessities of life.
Ali the day long on that eventtul day,
sevory odors were emitted from Deacon
Wilkinson's kitchen, and his good wife
with flushed cheeks was busy here and
there, now basting the turkey and 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 well replenished with fuel and
assisted in picking the turkey and the
chickens.
Tim Peters, who CHANGED to go 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
Tilkinson's, this afternoon, aud l was
inst past the house and it smelt dreadful
good 3iear out in the street."
Mrs. Wilkinson had scarcely had time
to set her 'best room" to rights and gel
it well warmed, before Samantha Perkins
puts in an appearance.
81 alters make it q point to go early"
she said, as Mrs. Wilkinson opened the
door to admit her,-whether it be to
prayer meetin' or a visitin'," and she
stalked in and seated her tall ungainly
form in the rocking chair with an ''ough!
1t does make me puff SO TO walk up hill;
but then, poor folks can't expect to ride,
or have q team sent for 'em to go any
where"
"Just walk right in there, Samantha,
and lay your things on my bed in that
bedroom, and make yourself comfort
able, and excuse me for a few Moments"
said Mrs. Wilkinson, without appearing
in the least annoyed at the ungracious
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 few stray
obstinate hairs on her 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 look and corner, partly opened two Or
three bureau drawers to ascertain their
contents, with mental comment "Wall,
Belinda was always counted good
housekeeper, and I should know it by the
looks of her bureau draws; but land
sabes alive, should never think of keep
in my fannels in the same draw with
cotton things!" Seating herself by the
Win do he ta2 bot
a partially knit stocking, and adjusting
her steel-bowed speotacles, commenced
knitting. After while she espied Dea
Wilkinson's hired man George, driving
up to the gate with Mrs. Crane and Alice
Doane.
"Gracious!" she exclaimed TO herself, ''I
wonder if they've been invited! Do they
take me for an equal with town poor
folks! They can send their team for
such folks, but not for NELL never was
so much surprised in my life~ she ex-
claimed as Mrs. Crane slowly seated her
self ty the fire, and Alice with her dwarf,
bent body was warming her poor thin
hands by the stove. 81 didn't expect to
see you here"
The pale face Of Mrs. Crane, thaG al
ways seemed uttering a speechless apol-
ogy for her existence, appeared a shade
paIer as she replied: 'Is was very kind
iadeed of Mrs. Wilkinson to invite u.s.
Alice Doane's cheeks flushed, and she
winked fast to check the tears that were
starting in her large wistful gray eyes.
Mrs. Crane had long been an invalid,
and having lost her husband and three
sons she was left without sufficient means
for her support. She struggled bravely
for time, but when her health failed the
good people of the town voted specific
yearly allowance for her support, she re-
naming in the little cottage that was her.
only worldly possession. She was per-
son of native refinement, extremely sen
sitive, and hence suffered more than
most people would have done. Alice was
the daughter of a poor widow, she and
her mother supported themselves by
| binding shoes, and had by this means
also managed to secure for Alice fair
education. A serious fall in her child
hood dwarfed and deformed her, but her
brilliant mind and cheerful disposition
won for her many friends aside from
| sympathy for her misfortunes.
The Peters family next came. With an
award air Mr.. Peters seated himself,
crossed his legs, and with loud "Ahem!"
folded his hands over his knees and rock
ed back in his chair. Mrs. Peters was
arrayed in an ancient dress of wooden
| goods in large plaid, and was constantly
watching the two boys. The twin faces
| of Tom and Tim. which could hardly be