Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-29
But Mrs. wilkinson tried to soften the

ing. II y aneS nalr mas changed at all,
I'm sure its more becoming than ever; I
wish could arrange my hair one-half as
tasty as you do Jane"
I've allus noticed that hair that covers
the least brains holds the natural color
the longest" piped old Dick Chapman,
with a solemn face, but casting sly
wink ct the deacon and Mr.. Peters.
Now if there was anything Samantha
Perkins took personal pride in, it was
in the fact that her hair retained its
natural color despite the many winters
that had rolled over her. If her face was
homely aad her form ungainly, Will e
Widow r owiand was called handsome by
every one here at least she-Samantha Per
kins-had the advantage, for while on
the shady side of so, she s'hadn't a single
| gray hair on her head"
just at this unpleasant junctuse sup
per was announced, which turned the at
teution Of all upon a more interesting
| subject, and while Dick Chapman, who
had vein of humor in his nature, got
off some good jokes. Samantha did not
design to laugh with the rest in response,
but ignored him entirely.
| The table with its savory contents was
| truly inviting, There was the huge tur
l
fatt-st bronze oDblers,-browned just
to turn, occupying the center, fanked
| by roast pig of appetizing dimension
and appearance on one side, and a huge
chicken pie on the other; while surround
ing at convenient distances, were tempt
ing mounds of mashed turn;ps, potatoes,
and GOLDEN squash ornamented with lit
tie islands of pepper; dishes of crisp
bleached celery, cranberry sauce ounce,
peach and apple sauce, and jell1es of Mrs.
Wilkinsou's best kill. Then there was
the golden butter with blue rosebud
stamp, the light wheat bread, the darker
rye, and the sweet brown bread SO whole
some and delicious, to say nothing of the
side board loaded with desert of Indian
pudding, apple, mince and pumpkin pies
that must be tasted TO be appreciated;
besides the frosted loaf cake, cullers and
| cookies that made Toms aid Tins eyes
fairly start out of their sockets to look
at, while the nuts, ralsons, and apples
very appropriately fitted into their prop
er places among the dishes.
l. was indeed motley company that
had been invited, but with Mrs. Wilkin-
sons admirable tact in seating and direct
ing the coarse of conversation and ward
ing Off any arrows of un pleasant person
ality that might be sent from Sanantha's
bow, all were made to feel free to par
tlcipete in the enjoyment of the occasion.
Dick Chapman, In spite of his merry
jokes felt thrill OF conjunction as cid
Rover limped into the room, and WINGED
as Samantha exclaimed: II alters do hate
to see lame things around! Why, how in
the world did he get so lame, Mrs. Wilkin-
SOM"
"Oh, he got his leg broke spell ago."
replied Mrs. Wiikinsoa; "do take some
more of this chicken pie, Samantha, and
some celery TO go with it, it's new kind
we've been raisin'," and Samantha's mind
was diverted, much to Dick'a relief.
'Your rig cake is just beautiful Mrs.
Peters found courage to say: 81 wish you
would tell ne your recipe for making it,"
Tim touched Tom with his elbow and
whispered loud enough for all to hear, 81
wish so too!'
Them ounce preserves of yourn is
dreadful nlce," said Samantha, who, as
the meal progressed, grew more aniable.
9Th eyre ust my kind" and she deign-
ed to smile on Mrs. Crane, and added,
"Don't you think they're nicer"
Even Widow Rowland's sad face wore
more cheerfulness than it had known
since her husbands death, and Alice
thought, as she gazed at her admiringly,
that she had never seen SO much beauty
in human features before.
eyes. believe l will take another piece
of that brown bread" was Dicks Spouse
as the plate YVES passed him, sit is just
such IS my mother used to make when J.
was a boy. and [ haven't seen any sence
It seems almost like goin' back to them
days to taste it agin'," and there was a
shade of tenderness in his tone as he
said it.
All were urged 30 partake TO their ut
most capacity, and when the supper was
ended, 1t was company that retired to
the parlor, who looked upon themselves,
their circumstances and all the world
with more satisfaction than before they
were seated at that loaded table. For
look at it as we may, and condemn as we
must the epicure, stomach that has been
satisfied with palatable things does in
some indefnabie manner favorably affect
the temperament of freil humanity for
the time.
The last rays of the setting sun shone
over the western hills, and were reflected
in purple upon the cloc DIS lying in the
eastern horizon, when the little party
wended their various ways Eomeward.
Samantha and the Widow Rowland,
whose way lay in the same direction, bore
each other company, much to Mrs. Will
kinson's pleasure and amusement, while
Mrs. Peters before leaving confded to
her hostess that she meant to send the
twins to sunday school the very next Sun
day, and shave 'em go regular"
Old Dick Chapman grasped Mr.. Wikia
sons hand as he bade him good night,
and said: cts no use denyin' it, fur did
it, and you know it IL didn't mean though,
to break the dogs leg,-5ut I've felt
meachin' ever sence fur tYin' that kittle
on 'em. You shan'J have occasion to
blame me for anything after this."-and
he hurried off before any reply could be
made.
swell, I reckon we're paid for our
trouble, Belinda" seid Dea. Wilkinson to
to his wife that evening, as they were
once more alone, and seated in tLeir
warm, cozy kitchen. "Folks might do a
great deal more good in the world than
| they do, if they would only take the
trouble, bnt to you belongs the credit of
all the good that may come of this
Thanksgivin'."
| Joaouin Miller and His Dauohter