The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1914-11-26
TELL ME THAT AM WELCOME

her forefathers, and nom but the old
est inhabitants could recall the times
when the family consisted of Judge
Joel Semple, his wife Elizabeth and
their children. Richard. Penelope and
Martha. The son was a bitter disap-
pointment to the judge, because he re-
fused to study law and succeed his
father in that honorable profession
Nature had endowed him with a talent
for reproducing her beauties. and he
worshiped before the shrine of Apollo
In preference to that Of the wise Ath-
enc. As a result he quarreled with the
judge and departed for Europe. For
several years he communicated with
Penelope. but finally his letters ceased
to arrive.
The gentle mother succumbed to an
attack of pneumonia and was followed
a year later by her younger daughter.
Shortly afte. ward the judge was dis
covered dead in his office. a victim Of
apOplexy. and Penelope was left TO face
life alone in the large white house. She
exerted every effort TO locate her
brother. only TO experience failure.
In the days when there were many
branches to the family tree it was the
custom for the Samples to assemble at
the home Of the judge for Thanksgiv
ing. Since the death of her parents
Miss Penelope continued to throw open
the hospitable doors Of the white house
for Thanksgiving celebration.
For the twentieth time she waited In
happy anticipation the arrival Of the
advance guest. Her eyes swept with
an appreciative glance the candlesticks
and old family plate shining with new
ly acquired brightness. the cut glass
%decanters and the dustless mahogany
furniture ready for the morrow's feast.
The knocker summoned her to the
door. and. throwing 1t open. Penelope
greeted her cousin and his wife. From
that time on until late evening the
Samples continued to gather about the
h%earthstone of the white house. The
evening was happily spent. the younger
generation dancing, while their elders
exchanged "reminiscences. and at mid
night they retired to await the dawn
Of Thanksgiving day.
Dinner time came In due season next
day. Miss Penelope seated her guests.
and the radiant circle was complete.
Then the various dishes were placed
upon the board roasts. brOiled fish.
vegetables. pastries and sweetmeats.
and each Wed with the other I'm quality
and toothsomeness. They crunched the
celery. reveled in the Drowned sweet
potatoes and nodded approval at the
pumpkin pies. There stole over every
one a sense Of peace and contentment.
which comes when love and kindness
permeate the atmosphere.
Then DIR. william Semple rose from
his chair and. holding aloft a slender
glass filed with wine Of a rare vintage.
| said In a voice OF unusual richness: "My
~kinspeop.e. I want you TO drink to the
health and happiness of our dear Pencil
ope. whose unseiish lose and delight
full personality are a benediction to us
ALL"
When he ceased speaking everybody
was standing. with the exception Of
ttlCiODC. WIN SIdoot' 'B'AAtNN 49,
10 drink. when there came a loud knock
at the door.
One of the younger boys answered its
insistent demands and found on the
threshold a youth Of his own age.
II have come to see Penelope Sem
ple." he said simply. and was ushered
to the lady's chair.
He bowed ow over her hand and
kissed 1t. then stood tall and straight
before the fragile. gray clad woman
The years rolled from her shoulders
like raindrops from a window and.
clasping the boy to her. she cried.
'Dick. my wi Dick!
Not Dick. Aunt Penelope. but picks
son. He only told me Of my family last
month before he died and insisted that
1 reach here for Thanksgiving Father