Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-25

THERE'S SOME MISTAKE" SIZE MAN
AGED TO SAY.
il they are to have an experience meeting
can send Ben; L can trust him"
A sweet flush went over the fair cheek as
she remembered that somewhere near the
bottom of the blue china rose lar Ben was
mentioned as "the" blessing of her life
And all Orne had mentioned the matter also,
but little differently, when the prophecy
went forth that wedding bells would ring
before Christmas"
Uncle Leonard was preparing to go over
to the hall when CHEEKY voice came mer-
rly through the kitchen doorway Miss
Lena wants the blue jar; some sort of
Thanksgiving institution. She forgot it this
morning"
All right" answered Uncle Leonard from
the sitting-room, where he was putting on
his overshoes. He was very busy with a
refractory buckle and did not notice that
Ben went lightly upstairs and hurried out
with the desired article in a trice.
BY and by the buckle was adjusted and
Uncle Leonard came out and cogitated
: The Thanksgiving institution, " he said,
half aloud; that means Marcia's extra
mince jar. Blue, yes, of course. As if L
couldn't find that jar in the darkest night,
as many years as I've known where it sets
i reckon the pies must a given out, OF
suthin'"
Uncle Leonard waddled down cellar quite
briskly for him. lie meant to meet the ex-
igencies of the case if possible, for he knew if
Marcia wanted that jar it must be forth
coming
Twenty minutes later he came putting into
the hall, and, not seeing his wife, deposited
the precious burden on the end of one OF
the long tables, where it stood in state,
fanked on either side by stack of odorous
pumpkin pies.
More than one curious glance rested on
Uncle Leonard's addition TO the dinner; but,
as no one was quite certain, nothing was
said until the meal was well under way.
Then Penelope johnson, the one inquisi-
tive maiden lady of Ome, who sat next to the
mysterious dish, gingerly lifted the en-
broidered DOYLE with which Uncle Leonard
had covered it, and, seeing the label, con-
cluded that the choicest Of preserves re-
posed therein Having settled this to her
satisfaction, she beckoned to Lena, who was
fitting hike bright butterfly about an ad-
| joining table; then, turning back the DOYLE,
she waited, inwardly glad that Providence
had cast her lines in such plentiful place.
AT that moment Aunt Marcia, seeing
something was expected, came forward from
where she was dishing cranberry sauce, and
CASlofc dllcullOQ 10 the matter.
At sight of the familiar object Aunt Mar
cis's face was study in scarlet" There's
some mistake" she managed to say, gather
| ing up the pride of her life and bearing il to
the ante-room.
The elderly danes of Orne smiled knowing
| ly as they recognized the famous blue re
ceptacle, but they could not tell the why of
the wherefore for the life of them.
Aunt Marcia was Inundated. The smile
which went around the feminine circle cut
| her to the heart.
But Penelope, unwittingly, resolved the
| smile into a demure little litter by curious
| ly wondering where she was going to with
| them preserves?"
That's Leonardo" snapped Aunt Marcia,
half crying, nodding to the array Of cloaks
| in the corner. IF it wasn't Thanksgiving
| I'd haul him over the Goals for this; but
l then'-stopping short to think-'what pos
| sessed him, anyways"
| Wiping the tears off her face, she suddenly
concluded that she didn't understand il at
all. She would wait; hidden things would
be made manifest; the Scriptures said So
Then some spirit of mischief whispered:
and pride goeth before fall"
We'll" said Aunt Marcia, with quiverine
| lip, Il wish had gone to church"
When Lena counted some 40 white-winged
slips called special blessings she felt that
the discordant note had died somewhere be
tween the rose jar and Ben's loving heart
And she whispered: ooh, that all Iner
| would praise the Lord" etc.
But Aunt Marcia was only thankful, really
sfor this Thanksgiving day"
When 1t all came out concerning thu
thankful institution" Aunt Marcia smiled
a queer, quiet smile and said, softly: &c
knew it was Leonard, or the Lord"
Then she looked so curiously over hel
glasses at her spouse that, although he haG
a dozen questions at his tongues end, h,
only smiled blankly and held his peace.
And not dame of Orne ever guessed WHY
that Thanksgiving jar faded into obscurit,
or why Aunt Marcia was different, from tina
Thanksgiving day henceforth.