The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-05-17

condolences. Jemima Hatch, though
did manage 10 whisper few words o
sympathy in her ear.
Don't worry about it, Belindy, sh,
urged. I'll come over an see you to-
morrow an we'll talk it over, But Mrs
Blossom did not recover her spirits
Lawyer Greene did not appear to no
tice when the widow rose to leave com.
pelling her to accept the protection o.
half grown Tom Larcom, much to thu
surprise of all who noticed the circum
stance.
He was awful sweet on the widdel
at first, they whispered. She must have
give him the mitten, and the next day
it was currently reported that Lawyer
Greene had proposed to the Widow
Blossom and been rejected. So much
for the truth of what they say
Jemims paid the promised visit bright
and early the next morning. She found
her sister looking pale and detected.
How bad is it, Belindy? she asked.
Did you put: all your money In the
bank?
AII-every cent of 1t, groaned the
widow.
Wal, it isitoo bad, but never mind
you don't have to give up the house
right away. do you.
No; not till March.
So much the better then; though of
course, you could have had home
with us right away. But there's your
COWS an chickens an such things
they'll bring better price after you've
wintered 'em an you can sell 'em in the
spring an thsre'll he so much gained.
After considerable more conversation
on the subject, the widow seemed to
brighten up little' and her sister pre-
pa ed to take her leave.
Now you'll be sure to come up an eat
Thanksgiving dinner with us, won't
you, Belindy, she urged, and Belinda
promised.
Jemima's footsteps had died away
and the widow was still sitting, forlorn
and despondent, when her reverie was
disturbed again.
Morning, Miss-Miss Blossom, said a
he9itating voice. and there stood Deacon
Gibbs, nervously twisting his hat in his
hands.
The widow placed chair for her Wis
itOr, who sat down looking more ner
vous and embarrassed than ever.
1--we just heerd, he began, that you
that the Bluegrass bank has busted f,
an you've lost all your money, an'-an'
10, Belindy, won't you have me5
Say you will, an you shan't want fur
nothin! | know | amt rich, but my
farm is good one, an I've got it all in
medder and pastur' now, an kin raise
right smart o. stock an you shouIdn, t
never know you'd lost cent. Will you,
Miss Bos-Belindy?
And this was the man she suspected
of wanting her money! The widow hid
her face in her hands and cried,
Mrs. Jemima was in her element,
cooking the Thanksgiving dinner next
day, But IN the pauses between basting
the turkey and turning the pumpkin
pies, she made frequent trips to the
door, shading her eyes with her hand
and gazing far down the winding coun.
try road.
wonder if nary one of 'em amt a
comm after all, she muttered more than
once in tones of vexation.
The turkey was roasted at last, the
pies were done, and the table set, when
on looking down the road again, she was
rewarded by a discovery.
That's the deacon's shay, now, she
cried, an BelIndy not here. Dear Inc. l
wonder if she amt comm at alli I've
notion 10 send Bijay over to see.
Then she took another look.
There's somebody with him-why, If
it amt Belindy herself! I'm 80 glad,
They'll make a match yet, jest do be-
lieve, and she ran to open the front
door.
Come in, Belindy! Deacon walk right
in. So you did conclude to came after
all.
The deacon smiled complacently.
Wal, yes; you see amt so blue as
was, Miss Hatch, An then, I've go
somethn' to be thankful fur now. Wee
have gollhere sooner, only we've beer
to weddin'.
A wedding! Mrs. Hatch opened hel
eyes in wonder, Whose was i2 she de-
manded.
Our own, to be sure, smiled the dea
con, with a loving glance at Belinda
delay is dangerous, you know. So W,
Jest drove around to the parsons anC
had the preacher jine us right off, An
now your Thanksgivin' is turned into
weddin' dinner, Jemima.
Mrs. Hatch was as much pleased a
surprised, and her roast turkey AM
pumpkin pies, with the other concomi
tanls of Thanksgiving dinner, answer
ed quite as well for wedding feat
But it was not until dinner was owe
and Belinda had helped to wash up IN
dishes. that she confessed to her audi
tors a little secret which they had no
suspected, namely, that she had draw
all her money out of the Bluegrass BAN
the day before it broke the law yer's in
slant change Of base on hearing tn
news OF the failurs inducing her to pre-
serve silence on the subject.
meant to invest it some other way
she explained. and was awfully shock
ed when heard the bank had broke,
couldn't help thinking what a narroI
: escape Id had.
Deacon Gibbs had no reason to quaI
rel with his wife for keeping the secret
since it had saved her from his rivs
And Mrs Deacon Gibbs never regrette
the occurrence which had decided he
fate.
AS for the lawyer, his chagriu upo
learning the truth OF the matter may b
| kottar ;nnaninad than Iasorihn1