The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-08
Miss James Wedding Feast
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.

ihey amt coming" she said to Josephus. the big
feiIew cat who lay at full length gravel walk
AT the sound of his name Joephus rose laziy and
came toward her.
They amt coming" Miss Jane repeated "and we
VIII have to eat up our party alone. Losephua"
Fine big cat followed her the kitchen and shifted
eestaticay she opened the oven door Within was
ehicSen pie OF huge proportions.
And to think. sighed Miss Jane. that no one wifi
be here to help eat it," ~ -
Josephus mewed sympatheticaly. and Miss Jana
hea nun up and carried him back to the porch.
ing the pie to further baking
she rocked back and forth in the big chair her hand
worn lines. she deeply disappointed In her lonely
me there were few opportunities pleasure,
the birthday her only brother was red-etter event
Years ago her brother had moved city. had mar
MISS Jane adored And. to-day. the group been
prsyented from coming by the illness OF youngest
The telegram had brought the news just at the mo-
fnent when Miss Jane had finished setting table
She thought regretfuly OF the two cocoatnut cakes
me cottage cheese the tarts the the
making of which she had given whole of the pre-
vous day In the refrigerator were the crisp salad
and the luscious fruits All ready,
Into Into her mind came suddenly fantastic thought:
20 ye INTO the highways and the hedges and compel
little colony of poor whites Miss James knew what
Z could pack a basket" she said to Josephus but
! nate to waste all my good cooking crowd like
She was stir undecided when the pie ready to
aake out or the even AS she placed it, all Drowned
1oked over the kitchen garden beyond which the
$50. "htch ioiio"eu the pain 10 the 'front.' OF the
covered with snowy blossom.
As Miss James casual glance rested upon it, there
Well Miss James remarked. that Is queer kind
Oh blossom on that bridal wreath bush"
Followed by Josephus she went down the path her
soft slippers making little Noise As che reached the
bush some one rose from behind It. 1t girl
PINK sanpornet In her hand she held half dozen
and she a cheap. white gown
"oh!" she said as Mas Jane stared her DO you
flowers and he hadn't any"
You might have asked me" Miss Jane said aus
II was afraid" the girl stammered "and pap
He said it bad enough for to marry Joe with
out our wasting our money But wedding don't
much does IT, without any without any we'd
ding supper Pap said folks any right to
expect such things, but Joe says girl only
red once, and he would have bought flowers
only l wouldn't let him. ] afraid pap would be
The long explanation came out In s.ammerng SEN
fences Miss Jane found herself looking interest
When You going to be married." she asked
This afternoon at o'clock" the girl answered
There any getting ready the girl said visit
would make wreath of your flowers You don't think
Il think would look lovely" Miss Jane declared
Her heart went out suddenly toward the shy little
supper? she asked.
shes dead" the girl said simply. Maybe If she
had lived things would have been different"
Miss Jane had sudden inspiration Look here"
she said quickly II have something show you Come
up the house with me-
They rapidly the house, the faithful Jose-
fragrant with savory cooking dining room
The long table was get for twelve and was gay with
some pink roses which Miss James had picked from
How would you like to have your welding sup
per here Miss James demanded. "YeH eoaid be
red In the parlor and have friends here eat
my chicken pie and eocoanut cakes"
The girl gasped But we amt your kind We're just
poor felix's that live down In the hollow"
! guess know who you are, Miss Jane said sharp
y, but going any girl married without
self. but If had been / should have wanted the
whole town TO turn out 70 look at me And anyhow
this dinner must not to waste and there isn't
one but me and Josephus to eat H.
She only a faint show OF resistance. You come
with me and ask pap she pleaded Maybe he'll let ms
The old man was cross grained fellow. But Miss
wa: to being I'd she did not
what had happened he had Joined the little procession
minister headed lire then bridge crowned with
her white wreath and leaning proudly on the arm OF
friends of the family and at last the old man and Miss
Jane
Josephus met them at the front porch and preceded
them into the parior The young people tarried for
Of brdai wreath AND great punches Of
In few moments the little front room trans
A:sw .n. had
nephews who had come from city in previous years
were children Of luxury To them even eoeoanrt cake
James poor neighbors. however, the wedding supper
They drank the brides health in grape juice served
in the thin glasses that belonged Miss
mother, and after that the girl went away with her
young husband. She kissed Miss Jane last TITS like
fairy tale.' she said. How can thank your"
'By coming often. / like your joe He 10
going make you happy
After every had Miss Jane cleaned the
house talked things with Josephus "She said
it like fairy tale. Josephus It's pity that
haven't such things oftener Those poor people
down In the hollow neighbors just as much
anybody else. Yet have sat here like selfish old
witch forgotten that there is anybody
the world"
Josephus mewed plaintvely. In her preoccupation
mis- had o o
wedding feast His yearned for chicken pie, and
he stood up the kitchen table and eyed the remains
OF the supper hungrily.
Miss Jane filled his dish and set II down In the
good chicken pie, Josephus, she told
him, land am not sorry now that cooked It. The
suppers IKE this and its worth whole lot y 1870
lothsr people happy