The Monticellonian., 1901-11-22

>AA nouneed, early in the autumn, that this year she would accept no ones invitation for Thanks giving dinner, but would pay few of her social debts. Not that she could not afford to entertain the whole yif- lage if she cared to; but her tiny din ing-room was tight fiji for six per sons, and her parlor and sitting-rooms equally diminutiye.
 Five years before, when her father and mother died, Mss Hester had left the big farm and moved to the viii lage, because 1t twas so lonely at the old home. Here she led a busy, hap py life with her books and flowers, blessing to the whole neighburhood. In sickness and sorrow, Miss Hester was always first to offer assistance, and no social gathering was complete without 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 be the elected one. 'I don't know what I should do," said Mrs Blake in despair, "if Miss Hester invites us. My boys simply cannot keep still one minute. and they would be sure 10 do something dreadful. Mir. Blake and I take turns keeping them, while the other goes to church. What would be- come of Miss Hester's precious china fin that small dining-room?'
 "Your boys are not bit worse than my three girls" said Mrs. Gray. 'If she asks us, I'll get sister Nellie to come over and keep house for me that day; but I hope she has invited come one else"
 Not only these two ladies, but many more who delighted to entertain Miss Hester made plans to dispose of live ly children on that eyentful day in case they should be invited; but when the evening of the 18th 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 bidden to the feast.
 For surely there was a feast in store for some one. Callers at Miss Testers could not fail to notice the spicy fra grance that penetrated the whole house, and the unusual activity of the mistress and her neat maid. The grocery wagon was seen to rattle up to 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 futtered mil lions of red and yellow leaves under the big maple trees. The windows of Miss Hester's kitchen were open, and church-goe caught glimpses of her and Mary in plain dresses, hurrying to and fro. For the first time in many weeks, her seat in the church was va cant, and the congregation concluded that company from the city must be expected at the cottage, for no slight thing kept Miss Hester from services.
 .'I think the very last person has gone to church." said Miss Hester, briskly. 'It will be safe to start now, Mary"
 All right. I'll run and tell Rob to bring the wagon around" said Mary, giving the turkeys a final basting.
 Rob carefully packed the smoking hot viands into the wagon, and when he had finished there was barely room for the three passengers.
 
 Mary from her perch among the jars and baskets. So Rob lifted up the wonderful white and pink loaf, and