The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1894-08-18
MISS THANKFUL.

N $1,000 Ao% CNAA
Miss Thankful Hope. Strangers smiled
h-stinctively at the name wren they first
met her, for to them there was SO little
in her narrow life to be thankful for,
and nothing to hope for. And yet to
those Of the limited number who grew
to know Miss Thankful the name was,
after all, quite appropriate.
She was q faded locking little woman
of as, whose plain face was only re-
deemed by o pair CT smiling b-ovTn eyes.
She vas a day scaast-ess and made
enough to pay Ier board and usually to
keep herself suitably clothed.
1t was ~astanding joke among the 9TH
er boarders that no natter how dis
agreeable the day Miss Thankful could
always find something pleasant to be
said about it. And, no matter how un-
progressing the last new boarder, Miss
Thankful's kind heart was sure to dis
cover some excUs
She had watched Florence, Mrs. Sim
mons young daughter, grow up into
womanhood and had shared her tinlid
condolences and opinions about the diff
ferent young men of the house, conf
dences which Florence would never have
thought Of telling her practical mother.
There was something about Miss Thank
full which invited confidence, and the
two were warm friends.
It was a dull February evening, a
slight snow was falling, and Miss Thank
full hurried along toward home in the
early dusk. The windows were lighted
up and presented a tempting array of
millinery, dry goods, flowers and con
fectionery.
But Miss Thankful did not notice any
of them until she turned into Bond
street, and there she walked slowly,
coming to astandstill at last in front Of
Cooper & Cooper's large dry goods
house.
She smiled as she locked in at the
window. Eyes" she said softly, ''it's
there yet. I made sure it would be sold.
So cheap too. Only 81. She was
gazing at a blue satin party bag, lined
with delicate pink, one Of those dainty
French affairs which always catch q
woman's eye if she has any soul for
pleasing effects.
II can't afford a new dress this year.
That three weeks l was sick last month
put that out Of the question, and sc it
does seem as if I 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 I seem to have
set my heart On it. Even my dresses
have been brown or black. They last
better.
1--WE had a kind of brown and black
life anyway. But there now, that sounds
complainin, and I've no cause to COM
plain. The Lords been good to me and
prospered me right along"
"Good evening, Miss Thankful" said
a cheerful voice at her side. Fright
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'" answer
ed Miss Thankful. Eyes, l was just
looking in at the goods. I'-sho hest
tated-''was just noticing that blue
satin bag over therein the corner-see?:''
"Oh, yes, that pretty bag. Pretty
thing. Cheap too. I know a good piece
of satin when I see it. Funny it was not
sold today. VIII be tomorrow likely"
Miss Thankful felt her desire to pos
sess the bag increasing.
"On your way home? Let me take
: your umbrella" and they walked On to-
gether.
Miss Thankful had a decided liking
for this one Of tho boardeIs, partly be
cause he never forgot to show her the
same courtesy that he would show tc
Florence OF any younger woman And
this is very gratifying to a woman who
has no claim to youth CT beauty.
He was a timid young man, with a
colorless mustache and drab hair, who
talked with q jerk, but Miss Thankful
always liked him.
When they reached the boarding
house, she went very t,loaghtfully M
to her room. Mr.. Jones had discourse
most of the way upon the amiable quail
tiles Florence possessed, all of which r..
marks she lad heartily seconded. Whe1
she had lighted the gas, she sat dow
with the thoughtful expression still OIL
her face.
81 wonder" she said. II do Just
p-+ he would never under the