The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-11-22

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 viii
lage if she cared to; but her tiny dim
ing-room was tight fit 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 to the vii
lage, because it was SO lonely at the
old home Here she led a busy, hap
py life with her books and flowers, a
blessing to the whole neighborhood.
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. 81 don't know
what I should do said Mrs. Blake
in despair, eff Miss Hester invites us.
minute, and they would be sure to do
some thing dreadful. Mr.. Blake and I
take turns keeping them, while the
other goes to church. What would be-
come of Miss Hester's precious china
In that small dining-room?"
"Your boys are not bit worse than
my three girls" said Mrs. Gray. eff
she asks us, I'll get sister Nellie to
come over and keep house for me
that day; but I 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
ly children on that eventful day in
case they should be invited; but when
the evening of the 25th of November
came, a 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 a feast in store
for some one. Callers at Miss Hester's
could not fail to notice the spicy fra
GRANGE 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-goers 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.
81 think the very last person has
gone to church," said Miss Hester.
briskly. "It will be safe to start now,
Mary"
GAIL right. I'll run and tell Rob to
bring the wagon around" said Mary,
giving the turkeys final basting.
Rob carefully packed the smoking
not viands into the wagon, and when
he had finished there was barely room.
for the three passengers.
"Hand me that cake," commanded
Mary from her perch among the jars
and baskets. So Rob. lifted up the
wonderful white and pink loaf, and