St. Paul daily globe., 1895-11-28

Deacon Humphrey TOOK OIL Ills
gold-rimmed spectacles, folded up
his paper and gave a prodigious
sigh. It's mighty lonesome keepln'
house alone, amt it, Max? Specially
when tomorrow Thanksgivin'.
A beautiful st. Bernard dog on the
rug before the fire wagged his tail
energetically and looked at his mas
ter with affectionate, Intelligent,
speaking eyes. It's too bad, old tel-
low" went on the deacon, dolefuliy;
"here's Sister Selma married and
left me at the eleventh hour, after
keepin house for me for nearly
twenty years"
And Eben, the only chick and
child I've got. has to live half way
across the continent. Sort of dis
NAL state of affairs for ThanksgiV-
in day, I'm thinkin,' and the old
man got up and walked disconsolate-
ly to the window.
The scene without was not cheer
ful one. and he sighed again. Gray
and leaden clouds went scurrying
across the November sky, while eY
cry now and then feathery snow
flake fell. as if to warn the inhabi-
tants below of hiyriads and
myriads of tiny travellers who
were even now on their
way. eager to adorn old Mother
Earth. now shorn of her autumnal
glory. in her white mantle. The dog
had followed the deacon and stood
looking out by his masters side, The
deacon looked soberly down the
road; not a soul in sight. Yes, there
was some one, too, for the portly fig
ure of a woman turned a corner even
as he looked and came briskly up
the street. A woman, all in black,
with CHEEKY, rosy face, clear, black
eyes and iron-gray hair.
The deacon looked again, his face
clearing as if by magic. BLESS my
soul" exclaimed he, in an astonished
undertone, IF there amt Mrs. West
field Why, she went away three weeks
ago, eXpectin' to spend Thanksgivin'
with her children" He stood wonder
ingly by the window doubling his own
eyes, until the figure had turned in at
the gate next to his own and started
up the walk AS she saw the deacon
the black eyes smiled and a substantial
hand, in a well-fitting glove, waved a
welcome. Max saw her, too, AND
barked joyfully, running frantically
toward the door. The deacon opened
it and in the twinkling of an eye the
hughe dog was over the fence and in
the next yard, jumping up and down
rolling over and over in a very ecstasy
of delight, for faithful Max was true
to his friends, and appreciated, with
true doggiSh gratitude, the return of
this good neighbor, who reserved for
his sole particular delectation her very
meatieSt bones. The deacon followed
after, with the agility of a boy, his
face alight with smiles. "Welcome
home, Mrs. Westfeld," began he, geni-
ally, warmly shaking the plump hand
held out to him. Max and 1 have
missed you morn you could guess. But
l thought you went to stay till after
Thanksgivin'? Were the girls we'll and
everything all right?'
quite well, and getting along nicely;
but they didn't need me, and the fact
is, Deacon" somewhat shame-facedly,
yesterday [ took a spell of home
sickness. Visitins all right enough, but
home is the best place for old folks. So
I just made up my mind to come home.
The girls don't keep house like 1 do,
anyway; Winnie's husband is a vege-
tartan, and regards beef steak as he
would the plague Bellies husband is
only a shade better, for he imagines he
has the dyspepsia and keeps the whole
to- o1rfo f~o
mush l knew if 1 wanted a Thanks
givin' dinner same as 1 was used to
I'd have to get it myself, and with a
jar Of mincemeat in the cellar and
plenty of fruit cake I felt pretty indie
pendent. And, leaYin out the ques-
ton of dinner, l was 'hankerin' for
home anyway. When your children are
little they need your care, but my girls
have outgrown me and love their hus-
bands better than they do their moth
er. Not that 1 object to it; it's only
natural; but I don't want to live with
either one of 'em; 1 am too old to
change my habits now for the notions
of sickly Sons-in-law with weak stom-
achs'
The deacon laughed heartily and
looked at the trim, well-built figure
with admiring eyes. You don't look
as if you needed diet to set you up"
Then in a sober tone: I'm awful glad
to see you back again, Mrs. Westfield,
sons-in-law or no sons-in-law. But,
here, 1 mustn't keep you standin' an
other minute; let me unlock your door,
and I'll build you a fire myself, while
you take off your things. It's goin' to
snow before mornin', sure"
They entered the old house together
but it was only few minutes until a
blazing fire went roaring and crack
ling up the chimney. The good man
surveyed ,his work with satisfaction
and looked upon the comfortable room
with contented eyes. How neat and
cozy it looked. His house had such a
dreary, forsaken look since Selma had
left him.
There's nothing like a woman s
hand to brighten up things, after all,
thought he with sudden conviction.
"Well, good night, Mrs. Westfeld," :"
said the deacon, rising, 'T expect you're
tired. Come, Max, old fellow, it's time
to go. 1t does seem so good to see you
back again." the deacon added, warm
ly, pausing for a minute on the thres-
hold. 81 can't tell you how much I
missed your light at night, Mrs. West
field; seemed somehow as bad as a fu-
neral"
His old neigh1bor laughed contented-
Iy, as she rose and followed him to the
door.
I'm glad to be home, too, deacon;