The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-05-04
A BLUE SILK PARTY BAG.
How Miss Thankful Hope Figured
In a Romance.

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
At number 404 Summerset avenue,
the second-rate boarding-house, where
she lived in room IA, second floor back,
Miss Thankful was accepted year after
wear as one of the belongings of the
place; much as the hot water bags, for
extra cold nights, and the dessert
every Wednesday and Sunday were ac-
cepted Settled facts of the house of
SO long standing that they were never
questioned
She was a faded looking little woman
of forty-five, whose plain face was only
redeemed by pair of smiling brown
eyes. She was a day seamstress, and
made enough to pay her board, and
usually to keep herself suitably clothed
1t was standing joke among the
other boarders that no matter how
disagreeable the day, Miss Thankful
could always find something pleasant
to be- said about it. And no matter
how unprepossessing the last new
boarder, Miss Thankful's kind heart
was sure to discover some excuse.
Other boarders came and went
''transients," Mrs. Simmons called
them-but Miss Thankful stayed on.
For thirteen years she had been an
- h. AL ho falt
| that no place would be home to her
but the tiny twelve by twelve room,
where she had spent her evenings and
her Sunday afternoons for so many
years.
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
dence, and the two were warm friends.
1t was dull February evening; a
slight snow was falling, and Miss
Thankful hurried along toward home
in the early dusk. The windows were
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 slower,
coming to standstill at last in front
of Cooper u Cooper's large dry-goods
house.
She smiled as she looked in at the
window. "Yes," she said, softly, Its
there yet; l made sure it would be
sold. So cheap, too; only dollar and
half" 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
81 can't afford new dress this year.
That three weeks 1 was sick last
month put that out of the question,
and so it does seem as if 1 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 I seem to have
so set my heart on it. Even my
dresses have always 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 complain. The Lords been
good to me and prospered me right
along"
Good evening, Miss Thankful" said
a cheerful voice at her side. Right
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, answered
Miss Thankful ''Yes, was just look
ing in at all the goods. I"wshe hesi
tated--''was just noticing that blue
satin bag, over there in the corner
see?"
ooh, yes, that party bag; pretty
thing, and cheap, too, know gooc
piece of satin when l see it. Funny II
was not sold to-day will be to-mor
row, likely"
Miss Thankful felt her desire to pos
cess the bag increasing.
"On your way home? Let me take
your umbrella" and they walked OF
together.
Miss Thankful had decided liking
for this one of the boarders. Partly he
cause he never forgot to show her the
same courtesy that he would show tc
Florence or any younger woman. And
this is very gratifying to woman who
has no claim to youth or beauty.
He was a timid young man, with G
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 w
to her room Mr.. Jones had discoursec
most of the way upon the amiablt
qualities Florence possessed, all OF
which remarks she had heartily sec
onded. When she had lighted the gal
she sat down with the thoughtful ex
preston still on her face.
II WONDER" she said, "I do just won
der. But he would never under the
shining sun have the courage to tel
her." and she smiled.
"Mr. Jones; name I do abominate
and Florence SO pretty-and him with
those colorless eyes, and that washed
out hair! But then, he is Just as kline
as he can be, and make no doubt woult
be good provider."
The next night when Miss Thankful
came into her room, she turned on botf
the gas 1ets-an unheard-of extraya
gauce; she carried a small marcel don.