The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-31
MISS THANKFUL.


Miss Thankful Hope. Strangers smiled
fnstinctlyelyat lid namo when they first
snet her, for to them there was SO little
I'm her narrow life to DO thankful for,
and nothing to hope for. And yet to
those Of the limited number who grew
70 Enow Miss Thankful tho name was
after all, quito appropriate
She was faded looking little woman
of DO, whose plain face was only TO-
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.
1t was astanding joke among tho 9th
er boarders that no matter how dis
agreeable the day Miss Thankful could
always find something pleasant to DO
said about it. And, no matter how m
prepossessing the last new boarder Miss
Thanful's kind heart was sure to dis
cover some excuse. ttn;tIt
She had watched Florence, Mrs Sim
mons young daughter, grow up into
womanhood and had shared her hmid
condolences and opinions about tho 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 n dull February evening, a
slight snow was falling, and Miss Thank
full hurried along toward home in tho
early dusk The windows wero lighted
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 ut last In front of
Cooper & Cooper's large dry goods
house
She smiled IT'S she looked in at the
window. Eyes" sho said softly, ''it's
there yet made suro it would DO sold
So cheap too. Only 81. 90" She was
gazing at blue satin party bag. lined
with delicate pink, ono of those dainty
French affairs which always catch a
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 1t
does seem as if 1 could buy that bag If
I want 10 Only 1t would be silly
downright silly! and she sighed
81 never had anything as pretty us
that. Maybe that's why seem to have
get my heart ON it. Even my dresses
have been brown or black They last
better.
I've had kind Of brown and black
life anyway. But there now, that sounds
tntx o.,1
plain. The Lords been good to me and
prospered me right along"
Good evening Miss Thankful f" said
cheerful voice ut her sido "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'" answer
ed Miss Thankful Eyes, was just
looking in at tho goods I"-she hosi-
tated-"was just noticing that blue
satin bag over there in the corner-see?'
"Oh. yes, that pretty bag Pretty
thing. Cheap too. I know a good piece
of satin when SEQ it. Funny it was not
sold today. Will be tomorrow likely"
Miss Thankful felt her desire to pos
sess the bag increasing.
ION your way homo? Let mo 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 O
colorless mustache and (lrab 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
ities 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.
II WONDER she said. II do just
wonder. But he would mover under the
shining sun have the courage to tell
her" and she smiled.
MIR. Jones-a name do abominate,
and Florence SO pretty-and him with
those colorless eyes and washed out
hair! But then he is just as kind as he
can be, and make no doubt woald be
1 q good provider. ("
4 The next night when Miss Thankful
Samo into her room she turned Oh both
Il khe gas jots-an unheard Of extrava-
gance- She carried small parcel done
up in tissue paper, and before she step