Milford chronicle., 1914-11-20

her fOrefathers, and none 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 talent
for reproducing her beauties. and he
worshiped before the shrine of Apollo
in preference to that of the wise Ath-
enc. As 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 afterward the judge was dis
covered dead in his Office. IA 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 SempleS to assemble at
the home of the judge for Thanksgiy
ing. Since the death of her parents
Miss Penelope continued to throw open
the hospitable doors Of the white house
- f-...;,-s.,,c~ ..ofoI,rsa fion
For the twentieth time she waited III
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 it open. Penelope
greeted her cousin and his wife. From
that time on until late evening the
Semples continued to gather about the
hearthstone of the white house. The
evening was happily spent. the younger
generation dancing. while their elders
exchanged "reminiscences. and at MD
night they retired TO swat the dawn
Of Thanksgiving day.
Dinner time came in due season next
dav. Miss Penelope seated her guests
and the radiant circle was complete
Then the various dishes were placed
upon the board-rOastS. broiled hsh'
vegetables. pastries aud sweetmeats'
and each We'd with the other in quality
and toothsomeuess. They crunched the
celery. reveled in the Drowned sWeel
botatoes and nodded approval at the
numpkin pies There stole over every
one a sense Of peace and contentment'
which comes when love and Kindness
permeate the atmosphere.
Then Dr. william Semple rose from
his chair and. holding alott slender
glass filed with wine Of a rare vintage
said in voice of unusual richness; MY
Einspeople, I want You to drink to the
health and happiness Of our dear Fenel-
one. whose unselfsh love and delight
ful personality are benediction to US
ALL"
When he ceased speaking everybody
was standing. with the exception OF
Penelope, with glasses uplifted ready
70 drink. when there came a loud knock
at the door
One Of the younger boys answered ils
Insistent demands and found on tue
threshold a youth Of his own age.
II have come TO see Penelope Sem.
,,on Lo ssjd slmnly. aud was ushered
to the lady's chair.
He bowed low over her hand ana
kissed it. then stood tall and straight
before the fragile. gray clad woman.
The wears rolled from her shoulders
ike raindrops from a window ana
clasping the boy to her. she cried
"Dick. my own Dick"
"Not Dick. Aunt Penelope but DICK J
son. He only told me Of my family las!
month before he died and insisted that
I reach here for Thanksgiving. Farmer
described this scene so vividly ina.
when the door onensd feared tnaI Il