The Pensacola journal., 1906-04-06
The Journals Daily Short Story
A Runaway Thanksgiving
BY EMILIA ELLIOTT
Copyright, 1903, by Charles N. Lurie.

r Jacks vigorous use Of the front door
knOcker was without result. He tried
the side door with no better success.
Then he tried the back door.
Three minutes later the side door
was thrown open from the inside, and
Jack stood smiling triumphantly on
the threshold.
Terry followed him into the low,
square sitting room, sinking with a. cry
of pleasure into the big cushioned rock
er. Jack where is Aunt Hannah?"
Unfortunately for all parties, my
esteemed relative is not at home; went
away Tuesday most Unexpectedly be-
fore my telegram got here. That re-
markable specimen Of the antique, her
handmade, the venerable Betsy Ann, Is
in charge"
Terry looked about her regretfulIy.
IT'S too bad You paid the man Oft be
fore you found all thisout"
Jack button6d his coat and took up
his hat ''I'lkbe beck In half an hour,
Terry. You won't be lonesome. Betsy
Ann will be in presently"
Where. are you gotng1" Terry inter
rupted. "Jsckw we can't, stay here"
II have heard It asserted, chiefly in
my younger days, that there is no such
word as can't" Jack remarked. 81
will procure a substitute for Aunt
Hannah In the person Of Cousin Mar
tha."
He hurried laughingly away. Terry
watched him from the window with
troubled eyes.
1t had all been so sudden, so confus-
ing, like one Of those madcap adven-
lures Of the old days. 1t would have
been wild enough If Aunt Hannah had
been home. Still there was no special
harm in it and the prospect Of much
enjoyment. It was out Of the rut, de-
cidedly so. Cousin Martha would look
after them. BIT by bit the doubt van
ished from the girls eyes, crowded out
altogether, with the laughter filing
them, by the time she turned to greet
Betsy Ann.
Betsy Ann stood in need Of consider
able reinsurance. The credit Of the
house was at stake, and she felt her
powers unequal to the crisis.
Having in some measure conquered
Betsy AIMS misgivings, Terry sighed
for Marie and her boxes. She wanted
to slip Off her heavy tailor made for
one Of her pretty house gowns. Il do
wish had my things" she said.
Betsy Ann, anxious to return kind
ness for kindness, beckoned mysteri
ously.
Jacks half hour heightened into two,
Cousin Martha, slipping a quiet cup Of
tea in her little sitting room, was so
surprised by the sudden appearance Of
a young gentleman on the scene that
It was some time before she was able
to grasp his errand, longer yet before
she could come to a definite conclusion
She wouldn't Nike to disappoint Jack,
but she hadn't calculated on going Wis
iting. She had a cold and headachy
sort Of feeling. Who was it he'd got
with him, anyway"
''Some one who's never had a real
jolly Thanksgiving" Jack said mis-,
chievously.
Cousin Martha had q vision Of some
poor city waif whom Jack had picked
up out Of charity The Harveys were
all charitable, but in the men folks Ii
frequently took the form Of impul
siveness.
@Well, I'll have to oblige you" she
said and went nerEously of to make
her preparations.
A cheerful light shone out from Aunt
HanRah's sitting room as the two rode
up in the bleak twilight. There was
the soundgof. singing.