Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1890-11-27


upon her well-swept carpet, but such
was never the case.
On this particular day-this Thanks
giving day of which we are speaking
Miss Hetty had completed her culinary
preparations, that is, she had stuffed
her turkey and put it in the oven, and
kneaded her pudding, for, though but
one would be present at the dinner, and
that herself, her conscience would not
have acquitted her if she had not made
all the preparations to which she had
been accustomed on such occasions.
This done, she sat down to her knit
ting, casting glance every now and
then at the oven to make sure that all
was going on we'll. 1t was a quiet morn
ing, and Miss Hetty began to think to
the clicking of her knitting needles
"After ALL, thought she, ''it's rather
solitary taking dinner alone, and that
OH Thanksgiving day. ] remember a
long time ago, when my father was liv-
ing, and my brothers and sisters, what a
merry time we used to have round the
table. But they are all dead, and II
alone am leftr
Miss Hetty sighed but after awhile
the recollections of these old times re-
turned. She tried to shake them off,
but they had fascination about them
after all, and would not go at her bid
ding.
There used to be another there,
thought she, "Nick Anderson. He, too
| fear is dead"
Hetty heaved thoughtful sigh, and
faint color came into her checks
She had reason. This Nicholas Ander
son had been medical student, appren
ticed to her father or rather placed
with him to be prepared for his profes
sion. He was, perhaps, year Older
than Hetty, and had regarded her with
more than ordinary warmth of affection
He had, in fact, proposed to her, anC
had been conditionally accepted, on {
years probation. The trouble was, hi
was little disposed to be Wild an(
being naturally of a lively.and careless
| temperament, did notexercise sufficien
| discrimination in the choice of his asso
ciates. Hetty had loved him as warmly
as one of her nature could love. Sht
was not one who would be drawn ava,
beyond the dictates of reason and judg
ment by the force of affection. Still, /
was not without feeling of deep sor
row-deeper than her calm manner LEI
him to suspect-that at the end of thu
years probation she informed Ander
son that the result of his trial was no
favorable to his suit, and that hence
forth he must give up all thoughts o
her,
To his vehement asseverations
promises and protestations she returned
the same steady and infexible answer
and at the close of the interview he lief
her quite as full of indignation agains
her as of grief for his rejection.
That night his clothing was packe
up and lowered from the window, an
when the next morning dawned it wa
found that he had left the house, and
as was intimated in slight note per
ciled and left on the table in his room
never to return again.
While Miss Henderson's mind was ia
back in the past, she had not observe
the approach of a man, shabby a
tired, accompanied by little girl, az
parently some eight years of age. TIL
mans face bore the impress of man
cares and hardships. The little gil
was of delicate appearance, and an o,
casional SILVER showed that her ga
ments were too thin to protect her SUI
ficiently from the inclemency of tn
weather.
This is the place, Henrietta" sal
the traveller at length, pausing at tn
head of the graveled walk which led u
to the front door of the prim-lookin
brick house.
Together they entered, and momer
afterwards, just as Miss Hetty was pr
pairing to lay the cloth for dinner
knock sounded through the house.
Goodness said Miss Hetty, flusteret
''who can it be that wants to see me a
this hour?"
Smoothing down her apron, and gil
ing look at the glass to make sure tina
her hair was in order, she fastened |
the door.
"Will it be asking too much, madar
to request seat by your fire for myse
and little girl for few moments? 1t
very cold"
Miss Hetty could see that it was col
Somehow, too, the appealing expressiC
of the little girls face touched her,
she threw the door wide open and bat
them enter
Miss Hetty went on preparing Il
l table for dinner A most delight
/ odor issued from the oven, one door
{ which was open, lest the turkey shou
overdo Miss Hetty could not help o
serving the Sistful glances cast by Il
S little girl toward the tempting dish
she placed it on the table.
e Poor little creature" thought sh
: Il suppose it is long time since 81
a had good dinner"
Then the thought struck her: "He
: l am alone to eat all this. There
: plenty enough for half dozen. He
3 much these poor people would relish il
By this time the table was arrange
f "Sir," said she, turning to the ira
a eler, you look as if you were hung
e as well as cold. II you and your lit
5 daughter would like to sit up. I wou
be happy to have you"
Il Thank you, madam" was the graz