The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-11-29

<&S III e ter n
NAY nounced. early in
the autumn. that this year she would
accept no ones invitation for Thanks
giving dinner. but would pay a few OF
her social debts. Not that she could
not afford 10 entertain the whole vii
lage II she cared to; but her tiny din
lng-room was tight fiji for six per-
sons. and her parlor and sitting-rooms
equally diminutive.
Five years before, when her father
and mother died. Miss Hester had left
the big farm and moved 10 the vii
lage. because IL was so lonely at the
old home. Here she led busy, hap
py life with her books and flowers, a
blessing 10 the whole neighborhood.
In sickness and sorrow, Miss Hester
was always first TO offer assistance.
and no social gathering was complete
withou, her. Consequently she never
lacked invitations and. during her five
years Of town life. had eaten Thanks
giving dinner in five different homes.
Mrs Gray and Mrs. Blake talked the
matter over on the way home from
prayer meeting, and each lady ex-
pressed the fear that her family might
b. the elected one. ~ don't know
what | should do" said Mrs. Blake
In despair. ''if Miss Hester invites us.
Ny boys simply cannot keep still one
minute. and they would be sure to do
something dreadful. Mr.. Blake and /
take turns keeping them. while the
other goes to church. What would be-
come Of Miss Hester's precious china
On that small dining-room?"
Your boys are not bit worse than
ny three girls" said Mrs. Gray. "If
she asks us. III get sister Nellie TO
come over and keep house for me
mat day; but hope she has invited
some one else"
Not only these two ladies, but many
more Who delighted to entertain Miss
Hester made plans to dispose Of live
" children on that eventful day in
case they should be invited; but when
The evening Of the 25ih Of November
came, general sigh Of relief went
up from the anxious mothers. for to-
morrow would be Thanksgiving. and
as yet no one had been hidden to the
feast.
For surely there was n feast in store
Tor some one. Callers at Miss Hester's
could not fail TO notice the spicy fra
GRANGE that penetrated the whole
mouse, and the unus ..al activity Of the
mistress and her neat maid. The
grocery wagon was seen to rattle up
% the back door three times in one
DAY. and the man from her farm
brought in mysterious parcels in
abundance.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear and
crisp. The light breeze fluttered mil
hons Of red and yellow leaves under
ne big maple trees. The windows Of
MSS Hester's kitchen were open, and
church-goers caught glimpses Of her
and Mary in plain dresses, hurrying
70 and fro. For the first time in many
weeks, her seat in the church was VA
can't and the congregation concluded
mat company from the city must be
expected at the cottage. fer no slight
'ninr kept Miss Hester from services.
mink the very last person has
gone to church." said Miss Hester,
nriskly. 1T will be safe to start now,
Mary"
All right. I'll run and tell Rob TO
pring the wagon around" said Mary,
giving the turkeys q final basting.
Fob carefully packed the smoking
no. siands into the wagon. and when
oe bad finished there was barely room
lot The three passengers.
=. hand Ue that cake" commando
Mary from her perch among the jars
sno baskets. So Rob lifted up the
"Sacerfo' white and pink loaf, and