The Topeka state journal., 1902-11-27
JaneVictOria S Thanksgiving

. There is only one thing pleasanter
than to frolic in the frosty air, and that
happens when toes and finger-ttps oegiit
to tingle and windOWpaneS grow IuuuS
in the cold twilight. The Angora kittens
who have grown quite into wise cathooi
are cuddled coziiy in front OF the proau
hearth where a jolly wood fire IS roar,
ing UP the wide throated chimney. AIid
here the Garden boys and girls gathef
to hear the story Of Jane victoria
Thanksgiving.
made one day last autumn when the HI
tie girl was helping father with the
harvesting. Jane Victoria likes TO nave
a plump brown finger in every pie and
because she is on the whole such a SEN
sible. cheerful, Jolly little body the
grown folks at Sea Breeze farm very
seldom say to Jane Victoria what some
unfortunate children hear almost every
hour in the day: DO run away ana
play, childl" or Don't hinder me, dear
I'm busy"
Two days before Thanksgiving Jane
Victoria was standing in the wide, sunny
kitchen at Sea Breeze farm. 1t was
rather sticky. disagreeable work. it IS
true. but then Jane Victoria had per-
mission to eat every tenth ralsln at Was
really singular how plump and delicious
that tenth raisin always Was) and be
sides the comfort of the tenth raisin was
the delightful certainty that all the other
raisirs would appear later between
da<y crusts imbedded cOyly in the dark.
spicy mincemeat which mother had
made and put away to ripen' in a big
stone jar, while the purple grapes stlli
hung on the lealiess vine outside the
window. So Jane Victoria was very
happy in spite Of her sticky fingers and
she hummed a gay little song under
her breath.
Mother and the dear old English
grandmother were mixing great apple
cake over by the kitchen table. 1t
sf..D c-rNfa %
the pies when it was baked, Jane Vic
toria knew quite we'll, and its ample top
and sides would glisten magniticently
with snowy f-osting, for all the world
like the big hfJ beyond the wooded
hollow
After a while Jane Victoria stopped
singing and listened Pttentively. Mother
was speaking in d low tone; her kind.
troubled expression. Therell be five of
our folks" she said 'and Uncle John
and Aunt Sally-thats seven; and the
minister and his wife, ninc; and six of
Aunt Rachel's folks-fifteer; and this
morning father got letter from his
brother Jabez, ying he'd bu down from
SwamoscOtt with his wife and children,
and that's nineteen!"
How are you going to manage
daughter" asked the English grand
mother-' bout table room, mean?
Wen have victuals enough for forty"
I'm sure 1 don't know" answered
mother, unless she added. almost in
g whisper. with a side glance at the
little figure in the window unless the
children wait"
Jane Victoria winked fast Nobody
wants salt tears in their Thanksgiving
pie "Jabezs children wouldn't mind,
guess" went on mother. raising her voice
a little. "and I'm sure Jack and Jane
Victoriall be glad to help mother
"Oh. mother breathed Jane Victoria
Fortunately it was time for the tenth
EQt Gi 1rrrt of hot it.
popped it into her mouth, winking so fast
that she couldn't see even the round
frosted hill that reminded one so of a big
Thanksgiving cake. To wait" on Thanks
giving day To hungrily sniff the deli
clouS OdorS of turkey and vegetables, to
hear the cheerful rattle of knives and
forks, and the laughter and talk o.
grown-up people; and this while one was
perched uncertainty on a slippery hair
cloth sofa in the best parlor, with the
red plush album or ones knee. Jane
Victoria knew exactly how it would be
1t did seem that the grown-up people
forgot all about the prim little figures on
the distant sofa with their empty stom-
achs and solemn eyes. And then the min
ister always told such long long stories
over the mince pies, and the big people
laughed and laughed-instead of eating
fast as they ought to do when other
and smaller people hungry
Yes, indeed, Jane Victoria had waited"
where the dining room was small. and
ole other time at Uncle Jabez's. when
''the dishes ran short"
oh, mother" she said again; must
we?' Her little round chin trembled pit
eously.
Il don't believe in making children
wait said mother, wrinkling her pleas
ant forehead; 4 really don't Of course
they re hungrier than anybody else But
can see how else to manage: Iifteen
a aat
TN do it, mother" said Jane Victoria
braYely, an I'll coax Jack
toria on re Tba real real good little girl; Jane Vic
nave every seventh raisin from now on
I'LL the measures fun
An nour later the raisins were all stoned
the sticky fingers daintny washed and
Jane Victoria was actually singing once
more as she peeped out of the frosty
The dear child" said the English
grandm91ther to herself. Then she smiled
the smile was Just like sunshine on he
snowy landscape. Jane Victoria She
said aid softly I've got a real nice plan
Ihe little girl turned quickly around
Have you. grandma?" she said brightly
There's my pinlI-sprigged china dishes
went on grandma, they really o.:ght % he
eaten off of once in a while or Ven he
forgetting what they're for. An there .
my mahogany tea-table-it's just right for
four; there's the bay window in the din
ing room-it's just big enough f9r that ia :
bic an four chairs"
ria. DO you mean
The English grandmother nodded her
mead Il couldn't eat bite if ] thought
four hungry children We're waiting for me
to get through she said AN want
to enjoy, my dinner. You see. child, Tin a
selfish old lady"
"Oh, grandma said Jane Victoria
again. 1t is astonishing how much mean
ing may be put into two words Jane Vie
toria emphasized her remark this time
with kiss and a hug
The dinner was grand success of
course The grown-up people talked and