The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1907-11-23
Thanksgiving at
Lonesome Hollow


ly soberly. looking over at the young fe
low who sat mending harness strap b.
side the blazing hearth. IL haven't tn
heart to get up big dinner for just u
two"
Il don't see what else we can do. N
neighbors to invite except old Pete Sprat
and he wouldn't come. We might sem
him something by way of being neigh
borly."
And be turned away for our pains,
The woman laughed.
You can't even 20 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. What's the natter"
Nothing, Jim; guess | need little
outing. I'll take 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 pres
ence OF an occasional gum tree The sky
was clear, cold and pallid, tinged with
greenish glow where the dark forests rim
med the far horizon. Not sign OF hu-
man habitation was visible, and not a
sound broke the vast stiffness save the
steady tap-tap of a woodpecker. The
loneliness oppressed Milly strangely. For
two years she had endured 1t in cheerful
silence, working patiently at whatever
her hand found to do In the rough little
shack which had gradually assumed a
coy, homelike appearance. They had
left the busy, grinding East in quest of
health for her young husband who was
slowly regainng his lost strength and
vigor In the bracing climate of Colorado
which alone kept Milly's heart light anil
hopeful, but in spite Of that joyful facs
she could not dispel a shiver of loneliness
when she thought of the long, dreary win
ter before them.
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 wou you, Milly Bennett. For
inns sake you mustn't give way to such
'oollshness."
Suddenly Milly's ear caught the sound
II chopping which seemed to come fror,
he Hollow beyond the divide. She turn.
ID and made her way easily through the
eafiess thicket, walking briskly over rho
III and down the opposite descent until
he distinctly heard voices. Further on
L the edge OF natural clearing she |
anne upon party Of travellers comnad |
eside a newly kindled fire, where a lean
aunt appearing fellow busted bimsoIf
mn preparations for the evening meal
hey were eight in all, a rough. unkemnt
u In leathern jackets and rusty boots
'eslde the cook lay a bag of four
Usher OF bacon and two jugs STONED with
)rncobs. "''n
Milly stopped abruptly when she found
erself observed by the curious avas IS
ght strangers, then changed her r,nd
nd crossed the icy little brook and 49,
n way toward the fire.
A big black-whiskered man dronnad
$ armful OF horse feed and looked ar hor
erclngly. Lost?' he asked brusouelv
No. | live two miles up the divide
opened to hear you chopping, and ston
d out of curiosity" sup
lhe mans insistant gaze annovad h..
I the forlorn, gaunt Appearance =, a,
Tie group melted little throb of nitv :
d made her think gratefully of her own !
", cneerful little shack, with Jim wo;t- :
ior ner beside the glowing hearth .
suppose you are simply campinv ber.
,ne night she ventured. looking abont h
the meager comforts of the camn
wen, no. answered the black-hr.,
n, who impressed her at once 70 49,, 7
'kesman of the party. 1--WE caas se'ns
prospect bit. There's talk of cola :
TINS claim' and If It's worth our Will o
may set up for week or two
on' then you'll be here over Tbor. :,
ing won't youg I'd like to have vov h
take dinner with us tomorrow " 'O1 ~
me man looked at his fellows III. =.
lous smile, half Questioning. hale c-as :.
US Its rather unexpected. no =
rked humorously. u
On; were all nelghbors out here Won :;
", Mily explained cordially. M -
oanu would be very glad to have 49,
: US we are from the East snS
e USED to having company for Tbsnts ii
} it?" F'0Spector, too, In
~ ~ no. de came out here for NJ. ~
~ TWO years ago, when be was an I.
Town with overwork. We erpect 70
mere until he's quite well" ~
We didn't notice any houses :.
ed along Where do you live ?" We
Two miles below here, on the su,-,..
= NOT on the trail. viii Won cone on
tomorrow" ''u eome on
Well being as you're 50 kind a. s s
the trouble to invite us we'll hs Ola ~
accept !. your hospitality, and tbsnl W
cry well. I shall expect you nromn, =,
:, Il there are eight of you. aren't HI,
- l want you all, remember NJ. '''
90, Tor the walk is rather LONG W. =.
tne hill and go straight south IN a.
reach the Sunrise wagon road wb,oh -.
'ake you directly to our SHACK go;n- :"
. Goodnight" sung iai
NY returned In great good s.,. mi
.ooseo dubious at first, but he was
10 damn fha was | Ut