Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-06-27
MISS THANKFUL'S PARTY BAG

1t seemed to be one of the ironies
of fate that her name should.> have
been Miss Thankful Hope. Strangers
smiled lnStinctively at the name when
they first met her. For to them there
was so little in her narrow life tC
be thankful for. And yet to those OF
the limited number who grew to know
Miss Thankful, the name was after
all quite appropriate.
Al No. 4O4 Somerset avenue, the
second-rdte boarding house where she
lived III room IA, second floor back
Miss Thankful was accepted year
after year 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 accepted. Settled facts of the
house OF so long standing that they
were never questioned.
She was a taded-looking little wo-
man of fortyfive, whose plain face
was only redeemed by a pair of smil-
Ing brown eyes. She was 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 Thankfuls kind heart
was sure to discover some excuse.
Other boarders came and went
"tranScientS," Mrs. Simmons called
them-but Miss Thankful stayed on.
For thirteen years she had been an
inmate of the house until now she
felt that no place would be home to
her but the tiny twelve by twelve
room, where she had spent her even
ings and her Sunday afternoons for
so many years.
She had watched Florence, Mrs.
Simmons young daughter, grow up
into Womanhood; and had shared her
timid condolences and opinions about
the different young men OF the house.
Confidence which Florence would
never have thought of telling her
practical mother. There was some
thing about Miss Thankful which in
vIted confidence, ana the two were
warm friends.
1t was Il duh 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 a 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 was walked
slower, coming to a 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, Its
there yet; l made sure it would be
sold. So cheap, too; only a dollar and
a half" She was gazing at a blue
satin party bag, lined with delicate
pink-one of these dainty French af-
fairs which always catches a woman's
eye, if she has any soul for pleasing
effects.
y can't afford a new dress this
year. That three weeks l was sici
last month put that out of the ques
ton, AND so it does seem as if
could buy that bag if 1 want to. Only
it would be silly-downright silly!'
and she sighed.
Il never had anything as pretty as
that. Maybe that's why 1 seem t.
rstn m Y
dresses have been brown or black
they last better.
I've had a kind of brown anC
black life anyway. But there now
that sounds complainin', and I've III
cause to complain. The Lords beer
good to me, and prospered me righ-
along"
Good evening, Miss Thankful" Sai(
a cheerful voice at her side. "Righ
nice window. Our trimmer beats an.
In town. Lots of pretty things, too,
he added, with the pardonable prid
of head clerk.
"Good evening, Mr. JONES'" answeret
Miss Thankful. Eyes, 1 was jus
looking in at the goods. I''-she hes
itated-'was just noticing that blu
satin bag over there in the corner
see?"
''Oh. yes, that party bag; prett
thing, cheap, too. l know goo
piece Of satin when l see it. Funn
it was not sold to-day-will be tt
morrow, likely"
Miss Thankful felt her desire to pos
SoSS tho bap iDpraa SinU
'On your way home? Let me tax
your umbrella and they walked o
together.
Miss Thankful had decided Ekin
for this one of the boarders Partl
because he never forgot to show he
the same courtesy that he would sho,
to Florence, or any younger woman
And this is very gratifying to a W,
man who has no claim to youth c
beauty.
He was a timid young man with
colorleSs mustache and drab hair WI
talked with a jerk, but Miss Thankf1
always liked him.
When they reached the boarding
house she went very thoughtfully L
to her room. Mr.. Jones had discourse
most of the way upon the amiab
qualities Florence possessed, all
which remarks she had heartily Sc
ondfled. When she had lighted tt