The Washburn leader., 1913-11-21

I'VE came down to prospect bit
There's talk Of gold in this claim. and
II its worth our while we may set
up for week or two"
"Oh. then. you'll 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 q
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 prospector. too. l
take lt?"
"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?"
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
"very well. 1 shall expect you
promptly at IL. There are eight OF
you. aren't there7 / want you all, re
member. Now I'll go. for the walk
is rather long. You cross the hill and
70 straight south till you reach the
Sunrise wagon road. which will take
you directly to our shack. going west
Good night" .....
sMtlly returned in great good spirits.
Jim looked dubious at first, but he was
loath to dampen the ardor Of his good
little helpmeet by voiciag his doubts
as to the wisdom OF inviting eight
strangers to their home.
II hope we. have enough stun on
hand" said cautious Jim. 1T will take
heaps to satisfy eight hungry men. you
know" a<
"Of course we have plenty. Well
kill both turkeys. and I'll 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 q 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 a
curious intentness which made her un.
comfortable.
You're mighty comfortably fixed for
these diggings." said he presently. look
ing about the. wallis with their homely
prints and ornaments.
"Yes. We are rather comfortable
thanks to Milly's ingenuity" Jim an
swered. with a glow of affectf0nate
pride.
you're lucky to be able to afford
such Iuxuries. for all those fancy 6x-
ings are luxuries In Colorado" Blaise
dale remarked significantly.
"Yes. count myself one Of the luck
lest men in the world. i owe every
thing to Milly. even my life. was a
poor law student when we we're mar
ried. 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 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 I tell you hated to use that
money bad enough. but II II hadn't
been for that the Lord only knows
what would have become of me-"
Milly blnshed deeply and becomingly
why. 1t doesn't amount to that" said
she. with snap Of her brown fingers
.All the money in the world would be
worthless to me Il l didn't have Jttn.'
Y y sl've hpard a saying about "A good
wife being Il treasure." Blaisedale re.
marked 'Your wife proves the truth
Of t.
The dinner was a great success
Blaiaedale. who seemed to exert mys-