The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-01

that formal engagement would be
made and announced on Thanksgiving
day, and the Morton family were there
fore to be the honored guests of the oc-
casiou.
The day before Thanksgiving had
been particularly unpleasant for judd
son Wilmot Everything seemed to go
wrong, and the desire to cut away from
it all reached climax: he determined
he would go 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. lie went 10 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 a 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 trifle 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 restlessncss Papa and
Mamma Morton did their best to seem
at ease, but it was plain that they were
also in 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. have trouble enough
on my mind"
Everyone looked their surprise at
Judson's remark, and all stared at him
for moment in blank wonder. Then
Father Wilmot broke out into hearty
laugh.
''Troubler' he exclaimed Trouble
on your mind! Well, my son, if you
are worrying about how you and Man
dy are to get living you can feel as
happy as you like, for have had the
all fixed to give You that west
eighty acres, and the money to build a
good house is already in the bank for
you" and the good old farmer chuckled
as he passed Mrs. Morton 4 plate
heaped with turkey dressing and sweet
potato. Mother Wilmot looked at her
son, as she paused with the coffee pot
in her hand, to see his sober face
wreath itself in smiles. To her surprise
it grew glOomier than before, and at a
remark from Matte it flushed with an
ger, and a hot retort broke from his
lips
We'll, declare. l would go and have
my face changed if | were you, judi"
was Mattie's laughing speech; "a farm,
a new home and twenty-one years of
age all at once ought to be enough,
even without the prospect of a pretty
wife"
Il shall be obliged to you, Matte, if
You will mind your own business"
said JCdson. GROSSLY, and then con-
addressing his father: Father,
am much obliged to you. but l shall
have to wait awhile before | take your
offer; / want to go away and see some
thing of the world before settle down
| am tired of farming; let things rest
as they are until come back"
This was like a clap of thunder in a
:lear sky. What does this mean, sir?"
exclaimed the farmer; do you intend
10 insult our guests who were asked
here to dine for special reason to-day,
20 say nothing OF your mother and my
self? What does it mean. sirP" and
the squire dropped his knife and fork
and looked fiercely at his SON.
Father said Judson, mother, all
Of you, beg for pardon for this un-
timely announcement / had no idea
'f making a scene at 9ur Thanksgiving