The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-09
MISS THANKFUL.

rate That ner name SnOulu nave D6eu
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, quito appropriate.
She was faded looking little woman
of 40, whose plain face was only re-
deemed by pair of smiling brown eyes
She was q day seamstress and made
enough to pay her board and usually to
, keep herself suitably clothed.
1t was astanding 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 UNI
prepossessing tho 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 timid
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.
1t was dull February evening, a
slight snow was falling, and Miss Thank
full hurried along toward home in the
early dusk. The windows We're lighted
up and presented a tempting array Of
millinery, dry goods, flowers and con-
fectionery.
4 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 e. Cooper's large dry goods
house.
She smiled us she looked in at the
window. ''Yes,'' she said softly, SITS
there yet. made sure twould be sold.
So cheap too. Only $3.50" She was
gazing at blue satin party bag, lined
with delicate pink, one of those dainty
French affairs which always catch a
woman's eye if she has any soul for
pleasing effects.
~ can't afford a new dress this year.
That three weeks l was sick last month
put that out Of the question, and so it
does seem as if could buy that bag if
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 or black. They last
better.
GIVE had o 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, 1 was just
looking in at the goods. I"-she hest
tated-"was just noticing that blue
satin bag over there in the corner-see?"
'SOh, yes, that pretty bag. Pretty
thing. Cheap too. know a good piece
of satin when see it. Funny it was not
sold today VIII be tomorrow likely"
Miss Thankful felt her desire to pos
sess the bag increasing.
ION 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
color1ess mustache and drab hair, who
talked with 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
flies 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.
81 wonder" she said 81 do Just
wonder. But he would never under the
shining sun have the courage to tell
her. and she smiled.
Mr.. Jones-a name l do abominate,
and Florence SO pretty-and him with
those colorless eyes and washed out
hairl But then he is just as kind as he
can be, and make no doubt would be
a good proyider.
The next night when Miss Thankful
came into her room she turned on both
the gas jets-an unheard Of extrava-
gance. She carried a small parcel done
up in tissue paper, and before she step
IA ped to take off her bonnet she went over
Ito the bed and united the package. II
was the blue satin party bag
cts lot prettier than it was at the
store, :" she said, smiling at it where it
lay spread out on the white cover in all
the arrogance Of assured beauty.
"Those pink roses are lovely. I'm
silly as l can be. / know that well
enoughl That's why asked Mr.. Jones
not to speak of my getting it. Maybe
next summer can have lawn with
little blue sprix in it, This would oo