The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1905-11-30
THANKSGIVING
AT LONESOME
HOLLOW =. - =.
BY
HELEN r. HUNTINGTON
CEEMS awfully forlorn TO eat u
- ,rb,,Lsyi,.ipu linu.r all alonp

Il haven't the heart to get up big
dinner for just us two"
Il don't see what else we can do,
No neighbors 10 Invite except old Pete
Sprat. and he wouldn't come. We
might send him something by way Of
being neighborly.'
And be turned away for our pains, "
the woman laughed.
you can't even go out on the high.
ways and hedges and gather In strag-
glers, like the ancient host of Bible
fame Maybe It Is Just as well not to
have all the work of getting up a
Thanksgiving dinner. for 1t seems TO
me that you look tired, Milly. Whats
the natter"
Nothing, jim. guess | need 1T
tie outing. I'll take a run across the
Hollow and be back before supper"
Milly put on her cloak and went out
into the crisp autumn afternoon. The
woods were bare except for few torch.
like flames of red which marked the
presence OF an occasional gum tree.
The sky was clear, cold and pallld,
tingeI with a greenish glow where the
dark forests trimmed the far horizon
Not sign of human habitation was
visible. and not a sound broke the vast
stiffness save the steady tap-tap OF q
woodpcckcr The loneliness oppressed
Milly strangely. For two years she
had endured 1t in cheerful silence,
working patiently
I'm getting morbid simply for the
want of a little company" she said as
she walked down the untraveled road
In the face OF the crisp north wind
That will never do for You, Mllly
Bennett. For Jims sake you mustn't
give way to such foollshness."
Suddenly Milly's ear caught the
sound OF chopping which seemed TO
come from the Hollow beyond the di.
vide. She turned and made her way
easily through the leaiess thicket
walking briskly over the hill and down
the opposite descent until she dis
tinCtly heard voices. Further on, a,
the edge of natural clearing, she
came upon party OF travellers camped
beside a newly kindled fire. where o
lean, Gaunt appearing fellow busted
himself with preparations for the even.
ing meal They were eight In all o
rough. unkempt lot In loathern jackets
and rusty boots Beside the cook lay
a bas of -four. a rasher of bacon, and
two jugs stopped with corncobs
Mlily stopped abruptly when she
found herself observed by the curious
eyes of eight strangers then changed
her mind and crossed the icy little
brook and made her way toward the
fire
a big, black whiskcrcd man dropped
his armiul of horscfeed and looked at
her piercingly "Lost?' he asked,
brusQucly.
NO ! live two miles up the divide
q, happened to hear you ChOpping. and
stopped out Of curiosity"
The mans insistent gaze annoyed
her but the forlorn, eaunt appearance
OF the little group melted little throb
of pity and made her think gratefully
OF hes own coy, cheerful little shack,
with jim waiting for her beside the
Elowinp fire
Il suppose you are simply camping
here for the night" she vcntured. look
ing about at the moager comforts oil
the camp
wei, no" answered the black.
tTOwcu man. who impressed her at
once as being spokesman of the party
I'VE came down to prospect a bit
There talk Of gold in this claim and
II It's worth our while we may set up
for week or two"
oh then, youll be here over
Thanksgiving. won't you? I'd like To
have you all take dinner with us to-
morrow"
The man looked at his fellows with
a curious smile. half questioning, half
credulous IT'S rather unexpected"
he remarked. humorously.
"Oh. we're all neighbors out here
you know" Milly explained cordially
My husband would be very glad to
have you with us. We are from the
east, and we're used to having COM
pany for Thanksgiving
Your husband is a prospector too,
take IT."
"Oh. no. He came out here for his
health two years ago, when he was all
run down with overwork We expect to
stay here until he's quite we'll"
I'VE didn't notice any houses as we
passed along. Where do you live?"
Two miles below here, on the Sun
rise road, not on the trail VIII you
come over tomorrow"
We'll, being as you're so kind as to
take the trouble to invite us wen be
glad to accept your hospitality, and
thank you"
Very well, | shall expect you
promptly at L. There are eight of
you. aren't there? | want you all, re-
member. Now, I'll go. for the walk
Is rather long. You cross the hill and
80 straight south till you reach the
Sunrise wagon road, which will take
you directly to our shack, going west
Coco night"
Miliy returned In great good spirits
Jim looked dubious at first, but he was
10th to damp the ardor of his good
little helpmeet by voicing his doubts
as TO the wisdom OF inviting eight
strangers to their home.
you don't mind, do you, Jim?"
Milly asked. anxiously.
"Not bit. II It pleases you, let's
have them by all means"