Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-08-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
Thankful's Trials.

u IN sure, murmured Thankful Pennypack-
er, 81 don't know what to do"
Thankful Pennypacker had come TO tho far
West on whit the facetious inhabitants Of
Blue Gulch would have called wild goose
chase"
She was one of the great majority OF iinem-
ployed women in the State OF Vermont. and
her cousin, Squire Todd. had heard from his
hePhew's wife, who had a sister at Blue Gulch,
that there was district school teacher wanted
there.
:. ''Chance for you. Ell. Thankful ?" said Mrs.
Todd. Better get off as fast as ever you can.
or itl be snapped up. Such positions don't 20
a-begging long"
thankful looked up with big, wiatful eyes
It's awful cold weather to go West, isn't
itf" said she, little timidly.
"oh, If you're afraid of a little cold wind
and a snow furry or twot" said Mrs. Todd ele-
8atlng her nose.
And Thankful packed her trunk at once and
departed
Amt it rntlier barbarous mother. said the
squire, 10 send the poor gal way of VYesk in
such blizzard aa this 'eres"
'9Reii Joshua said bla ielpmnfe. lahess
been here tIto good months NOW, aud Nc ant
h6 room lei aunt lI fAi't dt darf i5
sea
toming pretty soon 70 visit Di Jsnnfntbes
folk next door, and its jest as ven to have
Thankful PenIIypscseF eF ont Of the way.
sqnire Tedds lower jaw dropped.
'Whya' said he n ainazement
WhyP" mnmieked lis wife sVeli eise
mt man for snlid thickhcadnessg Air't ron
got darter Of your own7 and aIn't Thapkfal
tennypacker pretty gal, If she is past ave
and twenty yearEa"
ehid ~ AAing'
Well call it as yon please, said Mrs. Todd.
anyhow, It's time Electra was settled iu iife.
ana it's Jest as well to have Thankful Penny.
picker OF somewhere else"
But when the Vermont gitl reached Blde
Gulch, old Mr. Wendell. tbs chairman Of tho
board of trustees, profcssed hitiself exceeding
- eorrs, but the position had Just been filled
by a half sister of lAs own
we always g'ys Western girls the prefer
! 6nce," said he.
sopoor Thankful went by to '.squ;re Todd.s
tsphew'S wIfo'g sister, In frame OF mind
Widely different from her name, and uttered =
piteous sentence that heads our story.
The nephew'S sister was called lIcCFay-l
stout, cheerful body, with bright blus eyes and
a double chin.
Il 'claro to goodness. 1Iiss Pennypacker.' ,
said she, II feel sorry for you, but I hain't q
mlnute's time TO spare to fi5tEnitr to 5sbhi
Miles Wendell said justno To O. the China.
men have gone, and Bridget won't stir into the
dinin' room as long as Wong See Is there. It'l
strange how she and the Chinese hate each
other. And the train is due in forty minutes,
and eighteen mealers have telegraphed ahead.
Cant help you7" said Thankful.
"You1 Why you're an educated lady" said
Mrs. McCray
That's no reason can't cook fricasee, OF
bake pumpkin pie, :" said Thankful, smiline
in spite Of her troubles. "Aud have no es.
Pecial prejudice against Wong See, so I'd az
coon gointo the dining room and see to the to
BILE as not"
"Well, I'd be mortal obliged II you would,
said Mrs. McCray, with sigh of relief
Here's one o my big white kitchen aprons tc
tie over your black serge dress, so It won't bC
spoiledi and you'll ind Wong See very teacba-
BILE and docile."
SO that Miss Pennypacker was flying around
presently in the neat, cool rooms Of tie rail
way restaurant, where long tables, draped Ii
white were decorated with evergreen and boiIl
SStAA@93 e-AA Lie AtA19 4uo GFQGlEGITs 0lDelE
the coarsests was sparkling clean.
The Blue Gulch meal stations, as Mfs 1fc.
Cray told Thankful, was celebrated all along
the line for its pigeon pies. its toothsome Haf
hes, and its dainty bits of homemade cookery
'sAnd now you're here to sort o. keep Wonl
See straightened mp, said she, al can give my
whole mind to the wafes"
A keen wind bowling down the railway cut
a cloud Of drifting snow. sharper than needles
and pins; and then the shriek of the train
! Wong See adjusted his clean white tunie ana
rubbed his hands.
"supper alice readee. said he. '.1IisSe,
Crny she got watIie all cookee."
"Och, haythen Chinee,' said Bridget, IN he
den behind the coffee holder, as she seroWIe,
unutterablo things at the smiling Celestial
The passengers fushed with one accord 70
the warm, coy, savory smelling dining room
for the fame Of the Blue Gulch Wafles har
penetrated far and wide-when an Of d suddei
there was an exclamation. pause, con
fusion.
"What is it," said Thankful. who. wit
swift hands, was carrying coffee this way an
that
"a gentleman had slipped on the icy ca
step, y said airs. Biceray- f.Ireckon likely he
broke his leg or arm or something Her,
Miss Pennypaeker you come 70 the wan
irons. IN Just stop and see what the troubl
is. Mccray amt never On hand as an emel
geney.H