The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-27
A THANKSGIVING TALE.

ZAP, tap, went little fist against Miss
4S1 Lefty HarpeI's door. She knew it
,yEeS was a little one by the sound.
She opened the door, and there stood Elite
johnson, with a small, shiny tin pail in her
hand
Evening, Miss Lefty" said the child.
''Ma thought you'd like to make mince
pie for your Than ksgving dinner, so she
has sent you over little of her fresh mince-
meat"
"Yes; thank you, dear. and mamma, too.
VIII you come in while l empty the pail ?''
Nom, til ank you I'll wait on the step"
Miss Lefty had the pail ready in minute,
set the dish inside her tiny cupboard, and
then went back to the table, where she was
busy over the shining folds of Kate HamiPs
blue silk dress.
Miss Lefty Harper, who had once lived in
the big white house on the hill, had driven
her own horse and carriage, was now the
village dressmaker, living By b erself in the
tiny cottage which was the only bit Of her
fathers property left in her possession.
$50 it is Thanksgiving tomorrow" she So
liloquized. as she cut and basted the pretty
silk. 81 had forgotten all about it. won
der W hat special cause / have for thankful
L
well, | have roof 10 cover me, food and
clothing enough, at least, and trust-yes.
hope am deeeDtly thankful. But, alb mel
In those three words very little of the
loneliness which Swallowed the good little
sonrs was made manifest. But Lefty
Harper was no grumbler; she was bright,
brave, CHEEKY little woman, who carried her
burden, as she had taken it up, with smile.
"Ill make my mince pie and roast bit
of chicken too before go to church in the
morning, eat my dinner and be thankful,
even if there isn't soul in the world to help
me do it." she said to herself.
Then she set the sewing machine to whirr-
ing over the seams in Katie's silk skirt.
Half an hour later in came Katie herself,
accompanied by two or three girls. bringing
breezy iutter of the frosty air into Miss
Harper's small ROOM
Miss Lefty" cried Katie, i've run in
to see If you couldn't hurry up my dress a
little and let me have it by tomorrow night.
Couldn't you? Do say yes. there's dear
Indeed. Katie, / don't see how could
unless / worked on it tomorrow morning.
| intended t. go to church"
"Oh, well, you can do just little. tiny
bit in the morning, before you 60 and I'll
send for it before church-time. Do, Miss
Lefty, do, and I'll dance at your weddingW
urged Katie.
:. I'm not likely ever to have any wedding
to dance at" said Miss Lefty, smiling at the
merry girl. but I'll do my best with your
dress, Katie. Can you try on tie basque
now?"
"Oh, certainly" said Katie, throwing off
her cloak while Miss Lefty hastily basted
the darts. "You see," she added, "Pm
going to the Thanksgiving party at udge
Bakers tomorrow night, and did mean to
wear my old garnet silk. But I've Just
heard there is to be new lion there. and l
can't go in that old red thing
h tf lfNr,0 f-1-
Lefty, trying to show an interest-in the
chatter to her so irksome.
I'm tell you." spoke up Lois Pierce;
"the lion of lions is Judge James of Kansas,
and he is very rich"
Is Judge James in town." asked Miss
Lefty. in a careless tone.
Her head was bent over her work, per-
baps that was why her face was so pink
Yes" answered Lois 81 don't think
you know him, but his folks used to live
here. He still owns that grand place on Mill
Hill"
II have heard of the family" said Miss
Lefty. calmly
HE wasn't judge when he left here"
put in Katie. He arrived at that dignity
out in Kansas. They say he's tired of the
prairies now ard has come back to stay.
To be sure he is Older than we girls-near
forty, l expect-but he isn't married and
he is dignified and stately, and has such a
fine old place. who cares how old he is? 1t
is a grand chance for some girl, and why
not for me?"
ooh, you shameless little coquetter cried
Lois, laughing ''Pll pull caps with you for
the aged Cresus."
'She wont stand any chance whatever II
wear MY blue silk dress, will she, Miss
Letty?" said Katie, sauciIy.
Perhaps not. l shall make it as be-
Ni,cbing as possible. Now I'm ready to try
it on"
When the trying on process was over and