Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-02-22
MISS THANKFUL.

It seemed to be one OF the ironies Of
fate that her name should have been
Miss Thankful Hope. Strangers smiled
fLstinctively at the name when they first
met her, for 10 them there was so little
IN her narrow life 10 be thankful for,
and nothing to hops for. And yet Ia
those Of the Limited number who grew
to know Miss Thankful the name was,
after all, quite appropriate
She wac a faded looking little woman
Of 40. 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 usually to
keep herself suitably clothed.
1t was standing joke among the 9th
on boarders that no matter how dis
agreeable tho day Miss Thankful could
always find something pleasant to DO
said about it. And, no matter how I'M
prepossessing the 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.
It was a dull February evening, q
slight snow was falling, and Miss Thank
full hurried along toward home in the
early dusk. The windows were lighted
up and presented a tempting array Of
millinery, dry goods, flowers and con-
f%ectionery.
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 & Cooper's large dry goods
house.
She smiled AS she looked in at the
window. YES, " she said softly, 'it's
there yet I made sure it would be sold.
So cheap too. Only 81. so" She was
gazing at q 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.
II can't afford a new dress this year.
That three weeks 1 was sick last month
put that out Of the question, and so it
docs seem as if 1 could buy that bag if
I want 70. Only it would be silly
downright sillyl' and she sighed.
II never had anything as pretty rs
that Maybe that's why 1 seem to have
set my heart On it. Even my dresses
have been brown or black. They last
better.
I've had a 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, I" said
q cheerful voice at her side. fright
nice window. Our trimmer beats any in
town. Lots Of pretty things, too, E" he
added, with the pardonable pride Of q
head clerk.
GOOD evening, Mr.. Jones', " answer,
cd 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?''
"Oh, yes, that pretty bag. Pretty
thing. Cheap too. l know a good piece
Of satin when I see it Funny it was not
sold today. win be tomorrow likely"
Miss Thankful felt her desire to pos.
sess the bag increasing.
Son your way home? Let me take
your umbrella, " and they walked ON to-
gether.
Miss Thankful had a decided liking
for this one of the boarders, partly be-
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 a woman who
has no claim 10 youth or beauty.
He was a timid young man, with
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 NJ
to her room. Mr.. Jones had ~discoursed
most Of the way upon the amiable quail
tiles Florence possessed, all Of which re-
marks abe had heartily seconded. When
she had lighted the gas, she sat down
with the thoughtful expression still on
her face.
81 wonder, " she said. II do just
wonder. But he would never under the
shining sun have the courage to tel
her, " and she smiled
"Mr. Jones-a name / do abominate,
and Florence 30 pretty-and him Will
those colorless eyes and washed Out
hairl But then he is just as kind as hi
q
a good provider.
The next night when Miss Thankful
came into her room she turned on both
tho gas jets-an unheard Of extrava.
gance. She carried a small parcel done
mp in tissue paper, and before she step
ped TO take on her bonnet she went oven
10 the bed and united the package. Il
WAS the blue satin party bag.