Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-07-13
MISS THANKFUL.

1t seemed to be ona OF the 1ronles OF
fate that her name should have been
Miss Thankful Hope. Strangers smiled |
instinctively at the name when 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 a faded looking little woman
Of As, whose plain face was only re-
deemed by pair Of smiling brown eyes.
She was day seamstress and made |
enough to pay her board and usually to
keep herself suitably clothed.
It was standing joke among the 9TH
er boarders that no matter how dis |
agreeable the day Miss Thankful could |
always find something pleasant to be
said about it. And, no matter how un-
prepossessing the last new boarder, Miss
Thankful's kind heart was sure to dis
cover some excuse.
She had watched Florence, Mrs. Sim
mons young daughter, grow up INTO
womanhood and had shared her t1m1d
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 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 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 standstill at last in front OF
Cooper & Cooper's large dry goods
house.
She smiled as she looked in at the
window eyes, she said softly, "it's
there yet made sure it would be sold.
So cheap too. Only 81. So" She was
gazing at blue satin party bag, lined
with delicate pink, one Of those dainty
French affairs which always catch
woman's eye if she has any soul for
pleasing effects.
II can't afford new dress this year.
That three weeks was sick last month
put that out of the question, and SO it
does seem as if I could buy that bag If
I want to. Only it would be silly
downright silly!" and she sighed.
81 never had anything as pretty as
that. Maybe that's why seem to have
set my heart on it. Even my dresses
have been brown OF black. They last
better.
s'I've 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
head clerk
"Good evening, Mr.. JONES'" answer
ed Miss Thankful. ''Yes, was just
looking in at the goods I"-she hest
tated-''was just noticing that blue
satin bag over there in the corner-see?''
"Oh, yes that pretty bag. Pretty
thing. Cheap too know a good piece
of satin when see it. Funny it was not
sold today. Will 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 decided liking
for this one of the boarders, partly be-
cause he never forgot to show her the
same courtesy that he would show to
Florence or any younger woman. And
this is very gratifying to woman who
has no claim to youth or beauty.
He was timid young man, with a
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 discoursed
most of the way upon the amiable quail
tiles Florence possessed, all Of which re-
marks she had heartily seconded. When
she had lighted the gas, she sat down
with the thoughtful expression still on
her face.
st wonder" she said st do just
wonder. But he would never under the
shining sun have the courage to tel
her, and she smiled.
"Mr. Jones-a name 1 do abOmlnate
and Florence so pretty-and him witt
those colorless eyes and washed ou
hair But then he is just as kind as HI
can be, and 1 make no doubt would bf
good proyider.
The next night when Miss Thankful
came into her room she turned on botl
the gas jets-an unheard of extrava
gance. She carried small parcel done
up in tissue paper, and before she step
ped to take off her bonnet she went ove1
to the bed and united the package. Il
was the blue satin party bag.
''It's lot prettier than it was at the
gtore,'' she said, smiling at it where it
lay spread out on the white cover in ali
the arrogance of assured beauty.
''Those pink roses are lovely. I'm
silly as I can be- I know that well
enough! That's why I asked Mr.. Jones
not to speak of my getting it. Maybe
next summer can have lawn with a
little blue sprig in it. This would GO
beautifully with that. I don't think
I'm too old for a lawn on hot day,
and Pm just glad I got it-so thereP'
Then she wrapped up the bag and put
it away in her trunk.
After supper Florence came up to visit
her, and Miss Thankful was tempted to
tell her about it. But she was full Of
her own plans and the bag was not
mentioned.
f"There is to be a party tomorrow even
ing at Mary Moor's. It's the 14th, you
know" said Florence happily. IT an
going to wear my blue cloth dress. I've
worn it lot, Miss Thankful. but moth
er says may have new sash. That will
freshen it up. But, oh, I wish, I d.
wish I could have q party bag that
saw down in Cooper's window. It wa
light blue end lined with pink. Suci
beauty! I wish you had seen it
can't have anything but the sash
though, and SO there is no use in wish
ing"
!T did see IT, !" said Miss Thankful