Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-06-07
A BLUE SILK PARTY BAG.
How Miss Thankful Hope Figured
in a Romance.

SHhl4eu lHctlHcblNSiy DIT the Name Wnei
they first met her For to them Their,
was so little in her narrow life to b,
thankful for, and nothing to hope for
And yet to those of the limited numbe
| who grew to know Miss Thankful, tn,
name was after all quite appropriate.
At number 404 Sumaerset avenue
the second-rate clearinghouse, wher,
she lived in room IA, second floor back
Miss Thankful was accepted year after
year as one of the belongings of the
place; much "a the hot water bags. fol
extra cold nights, and the dessert
every Wednesday and Sunday were ac-
cepted Settled facts OF She house OF
SO long standing that they were never
questioned
She was faded looking little woman
Of forty-five, whose pain face was only
redeemed by pair of smiling brown
eyes. She was day sea.nstress, and
made enough to pay her board, and
usually to keep hers If suitably clothed.
1t was a standing joke among the
other boarders ttal n? matter how
disagreeabls the day, Miss Thankful
could always find something pleasant
TO be sad about it. And no matter
how nprepossessing the last new
boarder, Miss Thanhfuls kind heart
was sure to discover some excuse
Other boarlers came aud went
''transients, - Mrs. Simmons called
them-but Miss Thankful stayed on.
For thirteen years she had been an
inmate of the house, until now she felt
that 10 place would be home to her
but the tiny twelve by twelve room.
where she had spent her evenings and
her Sunday afternoons for so many
years.
She had watched Florence, Mrs Sim
mons young daughter, grow up into
womanhood; and had shared her timid
condolences and opinions about the giJ,
ferent young nlen of the house Conf
dences which Florence would never
have thoESht Of telling her practical
mother There was soIaetniig about
Miss Thankful which invited corr;
dence, and the two were warm friends.
II was q dull February evening; a
slight Show N9s falling, and Miss
Thanlsful hurried along toward home
In the early dusk. The windows were
lighted up and presented tempting
array Of millinery, dry goods, flowers
and confectionery
But Miss Thankful did not notice
any of them until she turned into Bond
street, and there she walked slower,
coming to a standstill at last in front
Of Cooper II Cooper's large dry-goods
house.
She smiled as she looked in at the
window. Yes, she said, softly, its
there yet; | made sure it would be
sold. So cheap, too; only dollar and
half" She was gazing at a blue satin
party bag. lined with dslicate pink.
One Of those dainty French affairs
which always catch a woman's eye.
ii she has any soul for pleasing effects
Il can't afford new dress this year.
That three weeks | was sick last
month put that out Of tia question.
and SO il does seem as If could buy
that bag if want to- Only it would
be silly-downright silly!" and She
sighed
Il never had anything as pretty as
that. Maybe that's why seem to have
so set my heart on it. Even my
dresses have always been brown or
black; they last better"
1--WE had kind Of brown and
black life, anyway. But there now,
that sounds eomplainin', and I've no
cause to complain. The Lords been
good to me and prospered me right
along"
Good evening, Miss Thankful" said
a cheerful voice at her side. Right
nice window. Our trimmer beats any
IN town. Lots Of pretty things, too,
he added, with the pardonable pride of
a head clerk.
Good evening, Mr.. Jones, answered
Miss Thankful Eyes, I was just look
ing in AT all the goods. I"-she hesi-
tated-''was just noticing that blue
satin bag, over there in the corner
see?"
'oh, yes, that party bag; pretty
thing, and cheap, too. l know a good
piece of satin when see it. Funny it
was not sold to-day will be to-mor.
row, likely.
Miss Thankful felt her desire to pos
cess the bag increasing
"0n your way home? Let me take
your umbrella" and they walked on
together.
Miss Thankful had a decided liking
for this one OF the boarders Partly he
cause he never forgot to show her the
same courtasy that he would show to
Florence o any younger woman. And
this is very gratifying to a woman who
has no claim TO youth or beauty.
lie was timid young man. with
colorless mustache and drab hair, who
talked with a jerk, but Miss Thankful
always liked him.
When they reached the boarding
house. she went very thoughtfully up
to her room. Mr.. Jones had discourscd
most of the way upon the amiable
qualities Florence possessed, ali of
which remarks she had heartily sec
onded When she had lighted the gas
She sat down with the tbouuhtf,1l eD--