Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-12-30
The Hunts Happy Day
A NEW YEAR STORY.
BY Ernest Gilmore.


pttll II pS STORM ana alt1ouSn lne WlNu
had spent its force the snow fell steadily.
Regular winter weather and no mis-
take about it, observed Mr.. Richard
Hunt. as he came in rather noisly. stamp
Ing the snow from his boots. but l like
1t. SO cold and bracing."
Mrs. Hunt. who was sitting near an open
fire. laughed.
this" she said, shivcring a little. II don't
believe I'd be willing TO face the cold,
even for the SAKE of the bracing.'
II think | heard Nou say YOU were going
to Sec old Mrs. iiclfer today MIR. Hunt
remarked. as he seated himself comfort
ably. Have you changed your mind
Yes, I've changed my mind. did tell
| you that | was going to see her, but IN
have to wait unit! some other day. Poor
old Mrs. Helfer,'
us she sick"
YES
And l suppose she's very lonely since
her daughter died"
Yes
II shouldn't wonder if she has a con-
tnual struggle to make both ends meet
since that disastrous bank failure"'
II don't believe she does make tho ends
meet. i feel very sorry for her"
But not quite sorry enough Tor you to
go and see her as YOU intended to do to-
day" teasingly.
Some other day will do as well-wiM it
not"' she questioned, wondering at his
persistence.
Not If she needs you today. Come. get
GU your wraps and I'll go with YOU
why. Richard Hunt, what's got into
you? 1 thought YOU never liked to go call
ing. especially nj such Places
You thought right, my dear" smiling
PLEASANTLY. but can you tell me what
there is TO prevent my turning over "A, new
leaf on New Years dave
She laughed.
1T would be a good idea" she said.
We'll, then. encourage me in it"
so | WILL
to face the storm, with a basket on her
arm.
Whats in it, Mr.. Hunt asked, as he
relieved his wife of the basket.
sugar and spice and everything NICE
she quoted.
A little maid opened the door when they
reached Mrs. Helfcr's. To Mrs. Hunts
child answered:
She not very we'll. ma'am.' and then.
lowering her voice to a confidential whis-
per. II guess she's awful lonesome. Shes
bin crying-I saw her
The weary old face frightened when lit
Tie Polly led the callers in. but both MIR.
and Mrs. Hunt were obserNant and read
between the lines that the dear old
lady WAS not only sorrowful but troubled.
81 wish YOU a Happy New Year said
Mrs. Hunt. taking the thin old hands in
a close grasp.
Happy New Year" Mr.. liunt echoed,
his greeting as cordial as his wife's.
"Thank you responded the old lady
warmly. and I wish you both a Happy
New Year"
w had "a fine turkey for dinner today"
SAID MIR. Hnnt. and 1 rather think my
wife brought YOU a piece uncovering the
basket. Yes. sure enough. here it is"
Now, Dick. said his wife. you've
made your speech: st down. please
He sat down with Il sigh, pretending to
feel hurt. He looked so comical hat Mrs.
ilelfer's spirits arose so far that she
laughed.
II am greatly obliged to YOU both for
remembering me" she said. I'm going
to confess that I've been longing for some
turkey for a week and now here it IS
me trio chattcd pleasantly for "A little
while and then Mr.. Hunt arose suddenly.
y We thought of an errand or two he
said. You TWO can have the loor to your
selves until l return. I'm NOT be gone
long. He met the small maid i'm the hall.
Polly. he SAID. II don't, want to pry
into Mrs. l~felfer's affairs. but I'm really
anxious to know if she has everything
she needs. shes an old friend, YOU know,
and a friend of my mothers. Does she
heeu anything. Pol!y?'
Yes. s.r. deed she Co; but she didn't
what she aint. She ant had no coffee
since-since-t
O." on, Polly. talk fast. Since wheno"
Since her money took wings am flew.
! dunno whore it flew TO, but that's what
someone said-it flew. an she don't he.
butter no more. wanted TO tell the gro
GERS boy we was out. but Mrs. lielfer sh.
L say. NO. not nov. putt\. ON. ,th.,
time
1T doesn't seem hardly warm enough
In the house, Polly. Do you have. plenty OF
coal?.
That's what We don't. sir she said
with decision. '.Wc'm less abo,1 ont
guess by to-morrer TN he all gone. Miss
~iielfers A'nlost n shakin' with cold some.
times. She had two silawls aroun' hel
when you rung the bell. but she took en-
Off"
Mr.. Hunt had heard ennugh-auit.
enough.
Poor. dear old soul.'. he said to him.
SELF, as he went out on his ministerine
journey.
He kept his promise-he was no: yon,
long. Tie pat Il bunch OF bright carna.
tions INTO the old lady's hand and then h.
said to his wife sm%ilinely tina, il wa.
time ~ move on
Polly let them out OF the front door. re
turning to the room. she found the ole
lady IN Il rapture of JOY. There were tear,
In her eyes. but she was smiling. Th,
fragrant. rosy carnations were still il
her hand. On u low char besire her wa.
the basket the Hunts had brought.
Look, Polly. she cried. in II sl"e tina
was like d child's.
And Polly looked ana laughed. What sh,
saw was a plate of sliced turkey. uaint,
biscuit. IA pr.nt of butter. "A mince pie. ;
frosted plum cake, oranges. grapes. nuts
raisils and candy.
"Oh. N.Y. cried Polly ..ub,+ e.,