Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-11-28

maid put back the
detected pile Of nickles and small change
into her old black pocket-book with sigh
which was far from festive.
The wind gave mournful little chirrup
as it came around the corner of the old
house, and Miss Mandy shivered and drew
her faded shawl close around her
rheumatic shoulders as she replied = MY,
my, Serena to think of us coming down
to bread and milk for Thanksgiving
dinner. declare it's enough to make the
Zones Of the Buells rattle in their graves
if they knew of it,
'We'n hope they don't, ''said Miss Serena,
rs she rose to put her money in the bureau
drawer, right hand corner, and tucked un-
der pile of innocent looking handker-
chiefs. "Father Buell. thought he was
leaving US provided for life when he made
that will, and here we are 80 poor that it's
q temptation to think of selling the cat"
''Selling the cat!' echoed Miss Mandy, in
a shrill tone of surprise 'Sell Thomas
Jefferson! You must be crazy, Serena, and,
besides, who's buying cats3"
captain Thompson offered me a dollar
for him yesterday. He had heard what q
splendid mouser he is, and his big house
up there is just overrun with mice.''
1--WE might rent him or lend him for an &C
commodation, but sell him, 'Lecta's Thomas
Jefferson, morn and Miss Mandy's foot
tapped down emphatically on the bare
floor
r. The old house had been comfortably
carpeted in times past but in the sitting
room holes and patches had become the
rule and carpet the exception, and when
Miss Mandy had nearly sprained her ankle
by catching her toe in one of the dilopida-
verted it into bed for Thomas Jefferson
in the woodshed but winter was coming
on, and the bare floor was far from COM
Portable for the rheumatic bones of the
poor old sisters.
Some kind soul had given them q gaily-
braided rug which they laid in the warm
est corner by the stove, lowering over it as
they sat in their rocking chairs to knit on
unusually cold days; still it was q very
poor apology for the warmth and comfort
Of carpet.
''Poor 'lectar' said Miss Serena. SWELL,
she's where she don't need any Thanksgiv-
ing dinner" and her eyes wandered TO-
ward the window through which could be
seen the tops of tall shafts Of marble out
lined against the wintry horizon. 1t was
the village burial ground and only six
weeks before Electa, the youngest Of the
sisters, had been laid to rest there. -
IL wonder If the mansions in Heaven
have carpets and nice furniture; do hope
30, and that there'll be something like lace
curtains, for have always wanted some
redllace curtains, and I've never seen any
yet that just suited my idea," and Miss
Handy's eyes rested disapprovingly on the
windows, the wellworn and faded shades
Of which conveyed no impression Of
beauty to her mind. She had weakness
for lace, and in the childishness of age
might easily have been extravagant In
gratifying her tastes had she the oppor-
tunity. sBut never expect to have them
now this side o. Heaven"
"La, Mandy, how you do talk" and Miss
Serena shook her head reprovingly, "as ii
the Lord would spend His time making
lace curtains. or as If there is any thing
real in them"
swell, and why shouldn't there be,
Serena Buell2 Isn't this world just full Of
poor folks, who have never had the chance
to use the sparkling diamonds or the gilt
tering gold, and all the beautiful things
He has furnished material for and given
people the understanding to make; and
why shouldn't they have their chance after
their hard work and their pinching and
scrimping is overp'
Miss Serena stared at her lister in
amazement, the idea was so entirely novel
that she had no words in which to combat
/ it even If she had the desire. Her eyes
fell utter moment, and she meekly raised
stick Of wood and added 1t to the wan
ing are. 81
81 do hope,n she said, refectively, that
thare'n be water In Heaven, for I've al