St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-11-29
Selected Story.
THREE THANKSGIVINGS.

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the same moment to discuss Thanks
giving-the Palmers, the Orews and
the Pinkhams. The Palmers were
so-called aristocrats, living in a
brown stone mansion far above the
din and stir of common workaday
life. Halfway down the hill were
the Drews, in a tan-colored cottage,
Struggled between woodbine and
lilacs, with bit of front yard large
enough for lawn-mower to turn
around in. At the very foot of the
hill, down-hearted and ashamed,
was a weather-beaten tenement
house, the upper left-hand corner OF
which was devoted to the Pinkhams,
who had been in easy circumstances
until the pretty Susan married a
spendthrift, who wasted all the
family money. Now Susan was a
feeble, sorrowful widow, quite
dependent on her sister Harriet, who
supported the two by doing plain
sewing.
1--WE might as we'll keep Fast Day
next Thursday, and not call it
Thanksgiving" said low-spirited
Susan. Nothing in the world to
make pie of, and turkey is out
of the question"
"Corned beef and potatoes make
excellent hash," said Harriet, bright
ly, especially with beets. And
what's your objection to hasty pud-
ding for second course ?"
Mrs. Craig's only answer was a
plaintive sigh. The Pinkhams had
never before been reduced to hash for
Thanksgiving.
And who knows, Susan, but we
may be invited out for Thursday ?
Things like that have happened be-
fore now" pursued Harriet, with
persistent cheerfulness.
Yes" said Susan, shivering drear-
lily. Yes, before l lost my husband
and my health and my property, and
settled down on you like a dead
weight, sister Hattie. There, you
needn't say a word; Pm going to
have good cry"
Poor thing!" thought tender
hearted Harriet She wouldn't
give way so if she had proper vital
ity. What she needs is nourishing
food. Still, l don't see how 1 can
buy anything to tempt her appetite
when I'm in debt three dollars and a
half for that last medicine"
At the very time Susan Craig was
INDUCING in "a good cry" Mrs.
counting her silver. Silver is a
burden when SO many tramps walk
the earth.
Mr.. Palmer" said she, sweeping
an emphatic gesture with the pie
knife, I'VE must have Thanksgiving
party"
Must, my dear?"
"Yes, its our turn. Brother Ed
ward asked US last year"
"Humph What if he did? hate
dinners"
He had reason. There was never
any comfort in the house three days
beforehand or three weeks afterward.
But my dear husband, it's useless
expostulating. A Thanksgiving din
ner has always been customary in
the Prescott family and will be ex-
pected."
'Humphl said Mr.. Anthony
Palmer again. "And what of my
sister Mary ?"
MRS. Drew will look for an in
vitat ton" returned Mrs. Prescott
Palmer. with a frigid glance at the
gold egg spoons. Have ever been
accused of sighting my husbands
relatives ?"
This meant that the widow Mary
Drew of the tan-colored cottage
would be hidden to the great
Palmer festival. She knew this was
the year for it. Moreover, she had
seen Mrs. Palmer's velvet carpets in
the back yard those carpets always
came up before grand dinner.
20 mamma" cried Betty Drew, in
transports. ut is Aunt Martha's
day? Think of the oysters and
goose and ice cream and straw
berries'' Won't it be festive?''
But to Betty's surprise her mother
dropped her broom and sat down,
looking the image Of despair.
II can't 60, Betty; don't set your
heart on it. The last time l was in
that house your papa was with me,
only hope we shan't be invited"
Then to herself she added sit is
simply torture to sit at table with
those purseproud Prescotts. Is there
no way of escape? Suppose I should
make a little Thanksgiving dinner
myself before Mrs. Palmer has time
to invite me? But l can't afford the
expense. And whom could l ask ?"
THE poor We have always with
you" What brought these words
to her mind And why did she
think in the next breath of her old
friend, Harriet Pinkham
The last time l saw Harriet she
was at Lime street, but about to
move into a tenement house. pve a
great mind to look her up. Maybe
now small turkey, a tapioca
pudding and mince pie would seem
like luxuries to her and Susan.
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