The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-09-19
MISS THANKFUL.
BY ANN DEMTNG GRAY.

little in her narrow life to be thankful
for. and nothing 10 hope for. And yet
10 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 -, whose plain face was only re-
deemed by pair of smiling brown
eyes. She was a day seamstress and
made enough to pay her board and US
ually to keep herself suitably clothed
IL was standing joke among the
other bOarders that no matter how dis
agreeable the day Miss Thankful could
always find something pleasant 10 be
said about it, And, no matter how un-
progressing the last new boarder,
Miss Thankfurs kind heart was sure TO
discover 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 Thankful which invited conf
denoe, and the two were warm friends.
Ii WAS duh February evening, a
slight snow was falling, and Miss
Thankful hurried along toward home
in the early dusk. The windows We're
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 slowly,
coming To a standsiill at last in front of
Cooper * Cooper's large dry goods
house.
She smiled "a she looked in at the
window. "Ies," she said softly, "it's
there Vet. | made sure il would be
sold. 30 cheap too. Only Sl.j0." She
was gazing at blue satin party bag,
lined with delicate pink, one of those
dainty Frcis,h affairs which always
catch wonian's eye if 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 the question, and 80 il
does seem as if could buy that bag if
1 want to. Only it would be silly
downright sillyw and she sighed.
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
''I'Ve had kind Of browd and black
life anyway. Bat there now, that
sounds complaining, and I've no cause
to complain. The Lords been good 10
me and prospered me right along"
Good evening, Miss Thankful, - said
cheerful voice at her side. fright
nice window. Our trimmer beats any
in town. Lots Of pretty things too"
lac added, with the pardonable pride of
a head clerk.
Good evening, Mr.. Jones'" answer
ed Miss Thankful "Ies, | was just
looking i'm at the goods. T'-she hesi-
tated-" was just noticing that blue
satin bag over there in the corner
see?''
''Oh, yes, that pretty bag. Pretty
thing. Cheap too. | know good
piece Of satin when / see il. Funny it
was not sold to-day. VIII be to-mor-
row likely"
Miss Thankful felt hef desire to pos
sess 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 boariers, partly be-
cause he never forgot to show her the
same courtesy that he would show 10
Florence or any younger woman. And
this is very gratifying to woman who
has no claim 70 youth or beauty.
lie was a timid young man, with
colorless moustache 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
10 her room. Mr.. Jones had diScOurs-
cd most Of the way upon the amiable
qualities Florence possessed, all of
which remarks size had heartily sec
onded. When she had lighted the gas
she sat down with the thoughtful ex-
preston still on her face.
II wonder" she said II 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 80 pretty-and him with
those colorless eyes and washed out
hair, But then he is just "a kind as he
can he, and | make no doubt would he
a good provider.n
The next night when Miss Thankful
came into her room she turned on both
the gas jets-an unheard of extrava-
eance. She carried small parcel done
up i'm tiss ne paper, and before she stop
ped To take off her bonnet she went
over Ia the bed and united the package.
1t WAS the blue satin party bag.
''It's IA lot prettier than il was AT the
store" she said, smiling at it where il
lay spread out on the white cover in all
the arrogance of assured beauty.
''rhose pinkeEeses are lovely. Tn
silly as can he.- / know that well
enough: That's why asked Mr.. Jones
not TO speak of my getting it. Maybe
next summer ear have lawn with
little blue sprig in il. This would go
beautifully with that. | don't think
I'm too'old for lawn on a hot day
and I'm jast glad | got it-so therer'
Then she wrapped up the bag and put
il away i'm her trunk.
After supper Florence came up 10
visit her, and Miss Thankful was
tempted 10 tell her about il. But she
was full Of her own plans, and the bag
was not mentioned.
There Is to be a party tomorrow
evening NJ Mary Moor's- It's the l4th
you know" said Florence happily. sI
am going 10 wear my blue cloth dress.
Tr.-. x.-<.-,a IL =. Los Nj fII..,.a-e,f -.