Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-11-26


on their dinner plates. Probably Jonas
would pour his coffee into his saucer and
talk about crops and cattle, and his wife
would tell about the setting hens and the
eggs she had sold this season. while as
for Sue. heaven only knew what she
would do, or what she would look like.
probably decked out in some outlandish
costume that would make ones eyes ache
10 look at. Mrs Melville sighed, and
pondsred upon the obstinacy of man
Meanwhile there was great excitement
IN the modest farm house owned and oc-
cupied by the Graves family To be in
ylted to take Thanksgiving dinner with
their city cousins, who lived in style on
fashionable avenue, was an event in the
lives of Jonas and his mild-faced wife.
Sue herself felt a trifie elated mt the OPP
portunlty of seeing the city sights, and
wondered little concerning her second
cousin" whom she remembered as Il
handsome lad of -, but who had since
been to college and was now full
hedged doctor, probably quite dignified
and stately.
ITO think" said Mrs Graves, chat
had the idea that Cousin Helen Mel
vile was proud and didn't care TO see
us again. I'm quite ashamed of myself
now that we are invited so beautifully
The invitation all printed on such beauti-
fui paper and everything so lovely" Mrs.
| Graves sighed i'll delight. She did not
know that Dan had mailed one of those
engraved invitations to Mr.. and Mrs.
Jonas Graves and Daughter" And in
her simple JOY she forgaye her city cous-
in for years of silent indifference.
Its funny, though she said. medita-
lively studying the invitation, that city
folks always have dinner at 6 O'Clock.
But of course it's the fashion, and sup
pose Cousin Martins wife must keep in
style"
why, they did the same way when we
visited them in 1891" said Jonas, who
had an amazing memory for dates.
WAS it so long ago." asked his wife.
refiectively. Yes, it must be, for Sue was
only little girl, and, dear me. such Il
mischief. She's changed lot, amt she,
JonasT
Naturally, she has" was the laconic
reply, as Jonas buttoned his coat pre-
paratory to going to the barn to feed
the horses.
Everybody who had been invited 10
the THANKSGIVING dinner at the Melvilles
had accepted.
1T is so seldom that one gives a party
without some regrets said Mrs. Mel
vile: II hadn't Il single one
Nor mnrmnred Dan, Il fancied you
saucy son with some severity.
"1ou know very well," she said, that
everyone has accepted. Not 4 single let
ter of regrets has reached me- [ con-
slder ii remarkable Success The
doctor accepted the reproof silently and
with the utmost seriousness.
Yes, everyone had accepted. the house
was in perfect order and beautifully dec
grated by the florist, the cook was in
good humor, the turkey of the finest, the
pies the most delicious if their appear
ance could be trusted, and the cranber-
ries had "jellied" to perfection There
was promise of delightful time, not
withstanding the horrors Mrs. Melville
had conjUred up regarding the country
cousins. These still troubled her some
what, for while liberal and democratic
mind might not be able TO quite comprc-
bend her feelings, the fact remained thar
She really suffered from the fear that
her country cousins should commit some
unconventional act ut table or elsewhere
during their intercourse with her
more fashionable friends But greater
troubles than seeing a guest eating with
the wrong spoon awaited the hostess OF
this family dinner party.
About O'Clock, and after some of the
asuests had begun to arrive--it being a
family affair, they came ear;y-the sec
ond girl (the Melvilles did not boast Il
butler) came rushing into the drawing
room, and, waving all ceremony, cried
out:
IF you please Mrs. Melville, the cook
has left without warning, and taken the
turkey with her"
This remark fell like thunderbolt into
the midst of the astonished company. All
gasped in amaZement and Mrs. Melville
threatened Mysteries, but the doctor sug-
gested that there was no time for non
aud off 70 %N Il
inyestigate Mrs. Melville, although oft
en- veXed at her sons cynical remarks,
still greatly relied upon him in emergen-
cles. and to one of her not over broad
nature this incident of vanished cook
and a turkeyless dinner was most over
whelming. Sustained, however, by her
sons optimistic remark that cooks were
not always as black as they were paint
ed, and that perhaps the turkey was in
the oven, the two started for the kitchen.
The girls story. however, was DER
true. The cook had gone, bag and bag
gage, and the only reminder of the tur-
key remaining was the scattered crumbs
and bits of powdered summer savory on
the table where the fowl had been stuffed
silent witnesses of what might have
been. How the cook escaped with her
spells was mystery, but it was decided
she must have departed while the girl
was upstairs. having had her own satchel
packed beforehand. As for Mrs Melville.
she stood and gazed, simply helpless 1t
was Thanksgiving day, the shops were
closed, there was no way of securing an
other turkey, and it was time now that
it should be in the oven. Mrs. Melville
wrung her hands in despair. Everybody
had now arrived except the Graves fam
lily, and in her heart of hearts the host
ess, even in this distressing situation.
found time to hope that the country
cousins had met with some slight accident
which would prevent them from putting
in an appearance.
what can we do?" cried she.
isn't there anything in the house that
may be made to do?" asked the doctor.
mot so much as a slice of beef. Who
ever heard of Thanksgiving without tur-
key?"
at does look as though we are IN
against an innovation" unused Dan.
"Where does that frisky cook abide.
mother mine? | might make her
s,,1y. ysnIl