Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-12-23
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) HEAR TSEASE !
: BY ANNIE q Copyright, 1905,
Q DONNELL 4 H. Donne1

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"Y M so turrible afraid he'skgoin' to
keep Thanksgivin' agin!' Biggs,
in the privacy of his kitchen,
communed aloud, as usual. His
serious, long countenance was length
ened and solemnized vet more.
1T looks like 1t. Things are a-p'int-
in. What'd he say to me this very
mornin'? Says he 10 me, 'Biggs, sect
there's plenty O raisins on hand an
all the seasonin's.' What'd he say that
to me for? Don't that mean Thanks
givin' lixin's? Answer that, il you can,
Bolcro Biggsv
Bolcro Biggs merely groaned. 1t was
unanswerable. Mr.. Philip was going
to celebrate again this year. The raj
sins settled it, and the seasonings.
'"This II make the third one. did
hope hcwas gettin' over it You needn't
tell me, Mr.. Philip amt the gettin'
over kind. Bolcro Biggs. reckon l
know that as well as you do. But
there's such thing as the softenin' O.
time. He's had most three years to
come round in.a
For n time there was cessation of
the low, monotonous voice, and only
the imperative tick of the kitchen clock
and occasional sharp little explosions
under the stove lids broke the silence.
Then n bell rang with an impatient
twang.
"Thcre lie goes again. third time this
evenin'. More raisins an spices"
Biggs hurried through the spacious,
lighted halls TO his masters library.
On the way his rough, unhandsome
face softened pleasantly. 1t always
softened on the way to that lonely
room.
"Sit down, Biggs. What are you
standing up for when there's chair at
your heels?'
Philip Lattimer spoke sharply, with
short, nervous jerks in his voice. His
refined, pale face was set in unbroken
gloom.
swell, Mr.. Philippe"
Biggs had been sitting on the edge of
chair five minutes, waiting, before be
spoke. Philip Lattimer woke out of a
reverie at the sound of his voice. /
POUNDS, man, you here? How long,
In the name of common sense, have you
been fitting on that chair?"
"Sence you rung for me, Mr.. Philup-
no longer nor no shorter" Biggs said
cheerfully. He was used to this.
"Oh, did l ring? Yes, yes; 1t was
QhO1Jf fhn
The cheer faded out of poor Biggs'
face and left 1t lusterless.
Il merely wanted to say that will
attend to that part-the turkey. You
are to see to all the rest, you under
stand. 1 shall have everything as 1t
was last year-eyerything. Now, CO."
Aud Biggs, on the way back to the
kitchen, groaned internationally and as
one without hope.
There were two days left before
Thanksgiving day. Biggs spent them
in the kitchen among vegetables and
spicy aromas. Rapidly the shelves Of
his neat little pantry filled up from end
to end. But there was no pleasant ela-
ton on his face; there was no spice of
anticipation among his other Spices
Once P@ilip Lattimer visited tho
Kitchen during those two days-only
once. Then it was to say tersely:
Remember the little pies, Biggs-
three of them, graduated"
"Oh, Lordy, Bolero Biggs, he amt
forgot that" groaned Biggs under his
breath when his master was gone. 81
vow did reckon on his gettin' over
them three little gradooated pies by
this time. reckoned on 1t last year
but, Lordy, this!'
He set to work on the little pies. He
made three of them on plates of grad
uated sizes. They came out of the oven
brown and flaky, as little children like
them
"Philly's, Comforts an the Little
Un's," he told them off as he placed
them away on shelf. How many
times he had made those little pies!
The big. grand dining room was set
in prime order. 1t was only opened on
Thanksgiving day now. The chairs
were rubbed TO new polish, and the
beautiful, shining floor as well. All
the hangings were shaken and the pic
lures busted. Biggs tried to whistle
as he worked. Mr.. Philup's library
was next door to the dining room, and
Mr.. Philip could hear, everything. He
heard Biggs' plaintiYc whistle, and a
faint shade of appreciation lightened
the gloom of his bitter face for mo-
ment.
THAT whistle comes hard-the poor
beggar!" he murmured.
On the afternoon preceding Thanks
giving Philip LatLimer put by his
books and went out among the holi-
daying crowds on the streets. They
1ostled him and pecred, some Of them,
into his solemn face curiously. Their
faces were not solemn. Now and then
he met grandfather coming from the
station with following of eager faced,
staring little country children, or big
son with his old father and mother.
Now and then he met house mother
out for the last few accessories for her
dinner tomorrow. And children-chil-
dren were everywhere. They hurt him
most
"There are only two. things to do.
and then ! can get out of it." lie nut.
tered.
There We're the flowers to select for
the table and the turkey to see about.
Then, thank the Lord, he could go
home. away from the mothers and the
little children. What kind of prepara-
ton We're they for tomorrow's ordeal?
The flowers were soon chosen and
ordered sent up. Then Philip Latti-
mer turned YEARLY toward the meat
markets. the very centers and pivots
of all the CHEEKY hustle and confusion.
A little group of shabby children had
halted in front of the one he selected.
Their shrill, high voices assailed his
ear insistently MS he paused minute
outside.
Snow, you choose, Patsy. Which one
III you take? choose that or-r-ful big
un."
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