St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-26

pOwdering of snow OH their broad shout
ders. The turkey himself. brown,
glistening and unetUOus, lay in the cen
tire of the board, with wings meekly
folded and breast diStended with arO-
matte stuffng, while, ranged round him,
quiyered pink and amber jellies and
crimson cranberry tartS blUshed
through their lattiee-wOrk of puff
paste, while mince-pieS and pumpkin,
cuStard and suet buildings sent up an
odOrOus appeal to the senses. Apples,
red and russell. tianked either end of the
board, while stone pitchers of cider,
freshly drawn by Joe. foamed and
sparkled brighter than the champagne
OF any fair vineyard of France.
And the deacon, propitiated by the
burnt Offering of savory meats, forgot to
reprOve Joe for his delinquency in the
matter of church.
Ruth" said the deacon mildly, as he
looked at the turkey and the chicken
pie beyond it, you're a good cOOk-a
very good cook, my dear. wish we
could keep you here aPays"
Ruth cOlOred and looked at Joe.
Joe set the chairs round the table with
very unnecessary emphasis.
When, toward twilight, Ruth put on
her scarlet shawl and hood, protesting
that ''she must go home" the deacon
rose to escort her.
''Sit down, joe" he said, waving his
hand authOritatively. Take your seat
again. Jared. YOU'RE nothin' but boys.
Pm the proper one to see Miss Skinner
safe hum -
II would rather go alone, STRIP
faltered Ruth.
But the deacon tucked her arm pro-
tectingly behind the sleeve of his
shaggy, butternut-colored great-cOat,
and they set forth together.
'Ruth. my dear" said the deacon,
breaking silence that was beginning
to be embarrassing, after they had
walked little way beneath the cTeak-
ing boughs of the snOW-fTinged hem
locks.
Sir" fluttered Ruth softly.
alt seemed very pleasant to have you
at our house today among them rough
cubs o. boys"
Joe isn't a rough cub, please, sir, "
said Ruth, plucking up mOmentary
spirit, and feeling herself color like
pink cream candy.
surprised at this unexpected PARTISAN
ship. Il dunno but JOe's the best of the
lot; but that's neither here nor there. l
was going to ask you how you would
like to stay there for good and alp"
Il don't understand you. STRIP said
Ruth, stopping short in the midst of the
snow and darkness.
40 come there and live-to be my
wite-MrS. Carey the secondv' exclaimed
the deacon, beginning to feel uncom-
fortabiy warm about the regions of the
nose and cheek-bOnes. Don't you IN
derstand now. Ruth?'
'Oh, SIR" uttered Ruth. withdrawing
her arm and trembling all over. Il can
notV'
'Oh, yes, you can" said the deacon.
benignly. i know you're young and
inexperienced, but Pm willing TO over
look all that. and" -
But, sir," Interrupted Ruth, scarcely
knowing whether to laugh or cry, u
Pye promised to marry Joel"
And. breaking away from her escort,
Ruth ran away. through the binding
snow and sleet, toward the far-off red
light Of the Skinner farmhouse.
Deacon Obed Carey walked silently
back, chewing the cud of his own med
ltatiOns; and from that moment to this
he has never once alluded to his matri-
mOnial aspirations and their untimely
blight. But the next Thanksgiving day
he ate his turkey at the hOspitabIe
board of his son and daughter-in-law,
with little, cherry-cheeked grandchiId
tied III high chair close to his elbow.