News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-11-26

have you all take dinner with us to-
morrow"
The man looked mt his fellows with
curious smile, half questioning, half
incredulous. ITS 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 itT'
"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"
1--WE didn't notice any houses as we
passed along. Where do you live?'
1.-TWO miles below here on the Sun
rise road. not on the trail. Will you
come over tomorrow"
"Well. being as you're so kind as to
take the trouble to invite us, We'll be
glad to accept your hospitality and
thank you"
Every well. shall expect you
promptly at T. There are eight of
YOU, aren't there? | want you all, re
member. Now III go, for the walk
Is rather long. You cross the hill and
90 straight south till you reach the
Sunrise wagon road, which will take
you directly to our shack. going west.
Good night
Milly returned in great good spirits.
Jim looked dubious at first, but he was
loath to dampen the ardor of his good
! little helpmeet by voicing his doubts
as to the wisdom of inviting eight
strangers to their home.
81 hope we have enough stuff on
hand" said cautious Jim. sit will take
heaps to satisfy eight hungry men, you
know"
"Of course we have plenty. Well
kill both turkeys, and III make four
pies instead Of one and two boiled pud-
dings besides. Well have potatoes and
turnips and the canned corn | put up
myself and as much cider as they can
drink. For dessert We'll have real good
coffee and iced cake Oh, We'll have
enough, you may be sure. jim. you
must rig up a table big enough to seat
them ALL"
They worked till bedtime that night,
peeling apples. seeding raisins and
picking the turkeys The next morn
ing Milly rose long before dawn and
set about her baking and brewing,
while Jim put up big deal table that
stretched almost the length of the
room. and by noon it was set with all
the luscious viands Of an eastern
Thanksgiving dinner, set with homely
platters and dishes. to be sure, but not
rougher in appearance than the men
who finally seated themselves about
the steaming board Jim beamed hos
pitably from his place at the head of
the table and tried dutifully to "act
as if the company belonged there" as
Milly had said The big, black whisk-
cred fellow whom the others addressed
as Blaisedale watched Milly with
curious intentness which made her I'M
comfortable.
you're mighty comfortably fixed for
these diggings," said he presently. look
ing about the walls with their homely
prints and ornaments.
Eyes. we are rather comfortable.
thanks to Milly's ingenuity" Jim an
swered. with a glow of affectionate
pride.
you're lucky to be able to afford
such luxuries. for all those fancy fix
ings are Injuries in Colorado Blaise-
dale remarked significantly.
eyes, | count myself one of the luck
lest men in the world. I owe every
thing to Milly. even my life. ! was
poor law student when we were mar
RED and when my health broke down
she simply took all responsibility into
her own hands. 1t was her money that
enabled me to come here It's her bit
of money that we're living on now.~ All
that she has in the world is in the lit
tie bank at Sunrise, where she goes
once a month to draw the necessary
sum for our provisions But now that
I've got to work we're making our
way along without much help from the
bank. | tell you I hated to use that
money bad enough, but if 1t hadn't
been for that the Lord only knows
what would have become of me-"
Milly blushed deeply and becomingly.
"Why. it doesn't amount to that" said
she. with>a snap of her brown fingers.
"All the money in the world would be
worthless to me if didn't have jim"
give heard a saying about a good
wife being a treasure Blaisedale re-
marked. "Your wife proves the truth
of it."
The dinner was a great success,
Blaisedale. who seemed to exert mys-
FERROUS influence over his fellows. grew
very talkative and entertaining. He
told stories Of queer places and queerer
people, which savored of familiarity
with lawlessness and lawbreakers. but
which kept Jim breathlessly interested
until the eight strange guests made
their adieus. Blaisedale, who was last
| 10 go. turned to the threshold and held
put his hand to Milly.
"You remind me of some one I once
knew" he said simply, land for her
sake I'd like to shake hands with you.
Thank you for your hospitality. You
won't regret your kindness"
That night when Jim and Milly sat