The Globe-republican., 1893-12-01

Thanksgiving was the date of Judson's
attaining his majority, the other reason
alluded to for making the event espe-
cial!y festive was in connection with
Mandy Morton, the daughter Of we'll
TODD neighboring farmer. Mandy and
Judson had known each other from liz
fancy, and with the exception of sea-
Sons when little quarrels had come be-
tween them they had always been
considered lovers They had been
keeping STEADY company" now for
year or two, and it was generally ex-
pected by the families on both sides
that formal engagement would be
made and announced on Thanksgiving
day. and the Morton family were there
fore to be the honorcd guests Of the oc-
casion.
The day before Thanksgiving had
been particularly unpleasant for judi
son Wilnot Everything seemed to go
wrong, and the desire to cut away from
it all reached climax; he determined
he would so at any cost of feeling,
either to parents or others. At home
in the evening he was sober and quiet;
his mother, who naturally noticed it,
attributed his manner to far different
reason than the truth. He went to the
store for the mail and it was there he
relieved himself by his talk with Ike
Staples. AS he rode home he worked
himself into high state of irritability
trying to frame the excuses he should
make for going. as he owned to himself
he had no good reason for doing So
With one exception it was happy
lot of people who sat down to dinner
that Thanksgiving day. Mrs. Wilmot
had indeed surpassed herself, and there
was feast in waiting to satisfy the
appetite of a gourmand. Mother Will
mot looked her happiness, and it was
with no little feeling Of pride that
Father Wilmot took up the big carving
knife and attacked the two great tur-
keys before him. Mandy was blushing
in her loneliness, and for all the world
could not help appearing trifie con-
scious Sister Matte had a roguish
twinkle in her eyes and her glances.
cast from Mandy to Judson and back
again, added in no small measure to
the formers restlessness. Papa and
Mamma Morton did their best to seem
at ease, but it was plain that they were
also in a semi-quiver of happiness
Judson alone was moody and silent.
He had all day done his best to appear
cheerful and pleasant, and in the gen.
eral atmosphere of joy his strained eff
fort was not perceived. His sister
Matte was the first to remark it
Il wonder is it the weight of years
pressing upon Judson that makes him
so serious-or is it-say, Mandy, do
you know what it is?" said the lively
sister.
Mandy blushed deeper red than
ever. and Judson, with an ill-concealed
frown. said: Never you mind about
my looks, Mat. haze trouble enough
on my mind"
Everyone looked their surprise at
Judson's remark, and all stared at him
for a moment in blank wonder. Then
Father Wilmot broke out into q hearty
laugh.
TROUBLED" he exclaimed. Trouble
on your mind! Well, my son, If you
are worrying about how you and Man
dy are to get q living you can feel as
happy as you like, for have had the
papers all fixed to give you that west
eighty acres, and the money to build
good house is already in the bank for
you" and the good old farmer chuckled
as he passed Mrs. Morton . plate
heaped with turkey dressing and sweet
potato. Mother Wilmot looked at her
son, as she paused with the coffee rot
in her hand. to see his sober face
wreath itself in smiles To her surprise
It grew gloomier than before. and at =
remark from Matte it flushed with IN