The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-05
MIS- G|LLETTS PAT Of BUTTER

Springfield Republican: ''Em'line
Humphrey, what could have possessed
you 20 offer to have the THANKSGIVING
dinner this year? I've just heard OF 1t,
and. in spite of the snow, I've come
right up to see if can't talk YOU out
of it." And Mrs. Garfield shook out
her black bombazine dress and sat
down before the fireplace to dry it,
first carefully folding back the skirt to
protect it from the big, blazing maple
log. Then she took off her blue knit
socks. that she had worn over her con-
gress Saiters, and hung them on the
fender.
"Em'line. when you've just gotten
over a fit of Sickness" she continued,
you'll be fiat on your back again, now
mark my words. Why, there are 16 of
us TO get dinner for, and you know
you'll have just so much, come what
may."
Her sister made no reply at first, but
rose and took down the two silver
candlesticks from the mantelpiece- She
did not look like an invalid for, having
a bright, rosy spot in either cheek, II
save her always an appearance OF
health. Then, her step was quick and
firm and her figure as straight as an
arrow. That Mrs. Humphrey had a
mind of her own was written in every
feature, and even seemed to show itself
in the twist of the two gray curls that
hung about her ears underneath her
lace cap.
How early it's getting dark tonight"
she observed as she set the candlesticks
on the .ier table near her. I've got
to light up or L won't get these two
scallops worked before tea time. Why,
Katy Ann, who would have the
Thanksgiving dinner if 7 didn't. I'd
like to know? You're not able TO. with
your rheumatic. and as for Sylvanus'
wife, it's out of the question, with that
houseful she's got on her hands.
Cousin Julizv Leonard had all of us
last year. so whose place is it, if it
isn't mine? Hittie can wash the dishes
and wait on the folks. and I'm going to
get old Miss Gillett to take hand at
the baking. They say she's real ca
Dable and can take right hold
Miss Gilletti Mercy on me, Em'line.
you won't think of having her? I
wouldn't have her in the house any
more'n I'd have witch, not bit more.
Why, everyone says she's light-fin-
gered."
Who's light-fingered? inquired Cap
tain Humphreys. coming into the room
with an armful of wood.
"Old Miss Gillett is. There amt no
doubt of it. Why. the widow Babcock
told me herself that the summer after
she was so sick and had to be salt
waited she hired Miss Gillett to do the
spinning and she never had such a
scant run Of yarn before. Well, all
that fall. any time any one would go
to Miss Gillett's they'd be sure to find
her knitting. Her sons young 'uns
never had such good-looking stockings
before or since as they had that win
ter Then the colonePs wife had her
at the time of their barn-raising. and
it was a marvel. so I've been told, the
way the tea, sugar, candles and things
disappeared at that time. But the
worst part of it all is that no one can
ever catch her a-thieving. She's slyer'n
any fox"
She'll never be too sly for Em'line, -
spoke I'D CAPTAIN Humphrey with a
chuckle. I've always said En- line
ought TO wear binders. She can see
sideways and, ! trow, backward, 600.
Come, Katy Ann. I'll wager you new
gown that Miss Gillett gets off with
not even a pinch of snuff from this
house without Emline's catching
her"
And I'll wager a pair of silk stock
ings-the best I can knit-that she
does" laughed his sister-in-law as she
tied the strings to her bonnet.
Won't you set by, Katy Ann, and
have tea with US? Hittie has made
some sallylunn," Mrs. Humphrey said,
looking up from her embroidery.
No, Nathan'n come home, and 1 must
get his meal when he comes
The New England winter had come
on early this year. Although just past
the middle of November, there was
quite a heavy fall of snow.
I'm going to pay dear for this. with
my rheumatic" said Mrs. Garfield
drawing her mantilla CLOSELY about
her. And | might better have stayed
at home as far as any goods coming
of it. 1t beats all how set Em'line is
do believe, though, 1 could have
saved her from having old Mis- Gillett
in the house if it hadn't been for the
! captains joking. But / guess he's GO
/ ing to get come up with for once, and
l do need new all-wool delaine the
worst way
Captain Humphrey was known the
country round for his good humor and
! inexhaustible fund of stories. He hao
served in the war of 1872, and many
were the anecdotes he had to relate Of
his adventures during that time He
"
speaking OF himself, and never figured
as the hero of his tales. When asked
as 10 how he had gotten his title he
always insisted upon it that he wor
it while captain of a squirrel hunt
There. 1 know those tea ground:
meant money, when I shook EN- up il
the cup this morn" and Mrs. Gillett'.
face wore a wise expression, signifyins
that her prophecy had proved true. '.
never knew it to fail. when the ground.
are all kind of huddled up to one side
but that some good luck's a comm
Six shillings, And it won't be bu
about half days work, neither. TIL,
captains wife is gettin liberal all o
student. That's morn 1 got the tim,
I laid Mis- Kingdom out, and stayed
there all night into the bargin. Blu
you wouldn't ketch me a dom it agiI
for twice as much. Not a lookin' glas.
or a pictur' in the hull house covered
No wonder there was queer noises. Blu
what possesses Mis- Humphrey to sen,
word I'm to go hum jest as soon as tn,
dinners ready? Do they begrudge
poor woman like me a bite? That,
none of the captains doins. I'll b.
| bound. But SOphrOnV Gillett Va,