Wichita eagle., 1890-02-04
THANKFUL'S TRIALS
I'm sure" nurmured Thankful Per


ga wild goose chase"
She was one of the great majority of
unemployed women in the state of Yer
mont, and her cousin, Squire Todd, had
heard from his nephew's wife, who had
sister at Blue Gulch, that there was a
district school teacher wanted there.
Chance for you, eh. Thankful" said
Mrs. Todd. Better get off as fast as
ever you can, or it'll be snapped up.
Such positions don't so a-begging long"
Thankful looked up with big, syistful
eyes.
''It's awful cold weather to 60 west,
isn't it?' said she, little timidly.
''Oh, if you're afraid Of a little cold
wind and a snow furry or two." said
Mrs. Todd, elevating her nose.
And Thankful packed her trunk at
once and departed.
"Aint it ruther barbarous, mother"
said the squire, Ito send the poor gal
way OF west in such a blizzard as this
'ere?"
well, Joshua" said his helpmeet,
"she's been here two good months now,
and we want her room for your Aunt
Eliza, that's got money to leave some
day; and, besides, DR.. Lothair's a-comin'
pretty soon to visit old DIR. Jenningses
folks, next door, and it's jest as well to
have Thankful Pennypacker out of the
way"
Squire Todd's lower jaw dropped.
why" said he in amazement.
"Why?" mimicked his wife. "Wen,
give me a man for solid thickheaded-
ness! Hain't you got a darter of your
own? and amt Thankful Pennypacker a
pretty gal, if she is past fve-and-twenty
Year,
"Oh," said the squire. "Matchmakin',
eh?"
"Well, call it what you please" said
Mrs. Todd. Anyhow, it's time Electra
was settled in life, and it's jest as we'll
to have Thankful Pennypacker of some
where else"
But when the Vermont girl reached
Blue Gulch, old Mr.. Wendell, the chair
man of the board Of trustees, professed
himself exceedingly sorry, but the po-
sition had just been filled by half sister
of his own.
eve always give western girls the
preference" said he.
So poor Thankful went back TO
Squire Todd's nephew's wife's sister"
In frame of mind widely different from
her name, and uttered the piteous sem
tence that heads our story.
The nephew's wife's sister was called
McCray-a stout. cheerful body, with
bright blue eyes and a double chin.
~ declare to goodness, Miss Penny
packer" said she, 81 feel sorry for you,
but l hain't minutes time to spare
a-listenin' to what Miles Wendell said
just now. Two o the Cinnamon have
gone, and Bridget won't stir into the din
in room as long as Wong See is there.
It's strange how she and the Chinese hate
each other. And the train is due in
forty minutes, and eighteen mealers have
telegraphed ahead"
"Can't help your" said Thankful.
"You3 Why, you're an educated |
lady" said Mrs. McCray.
That's no reason L can't cook a |
fricasee, or bake pumpkin pie," said |
Thankful, smiling in spite of her trou-
bles. "And l have no especial prejudice |
against Wong See; so I'd as soon go into
the dining room andsee to the tables as
not"
"WeH, I'd be mortal obliged II you
would" said Mrs. McCray, with a great
sigh of relief. Here's one o my big
white kitchen aprons to tie over your
black serge dress, so it won't be spilled;
and you'll find Wong See very teachable
and docile.
So that Miss Pennypacker was flying
around presently IN the neat, cool rooms
of the railway restaurant, where long
tables, draped with white, were decorated
with evergreen and holly berries, and
the glass and crockery, albeit Of the
coarsest, was sparkling and clean.
The Blue Gulch meal station, as Mrs.
McCray told Thankful, was celebrated
all along the line for its pigeon pies. Its
waffles, and its dainty bits Of
home made cookery.
''And now you're here TO sort o. keep
Wong See Strengthened up" said she, Il
can give my whole mind to the vaffes"
A keen wind howhng down the rail-
way cut; cloud Of drifting snow, sharper
than needles and pins: and then the
shrek Of the train. Wong See ad jussed
bis clean white tunic and rubbed his /
hands.
supper alice readee. said he. "xs-
see Cray she got waffle ali coekee."
"Och, haythen Chinee," said Bridget,
N her den behind the tea and coffee
holder, as she sco~led unutteTabIe .aIngs
1t the smiling Celestial
The passengers rushed with one accord
'or the warm, coy, savorv smelling
dining room, for the fame Of the Blue
julch wa:Ees had penetrated far and
Side-when at of a sudden there WA
II exclamation, pause. confusion
What is it, said Thankful, who,
With swift hands, was carrying TEA and
,offee this wsy and that.
"a gentleman Bas slipped on the icT
ar step, gzid Mrs. NcCrzy. Il reckon
ikely he's broke MS ieg or arn CT
Here. Miss Pennypacker;
Tou come 20 the uarse iTons- III inst
top and see what the trosbls Z. BIC
Cray ain: never on hand - an eraer-
rency."
Wheo the train had gene TIE hgrt pas-
.enger Law ia q h,,ie white curta;ness
-oon unetairz-
DR.. Feston had sct his broken arm and
ssnd2ge2 his sprziaed ankle.
IL yoa have moderately good lock.
aid he, you need 10. De- detained NOR
ns-z s~o or iarse weeks, and the people