Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-11-19

her forefathers. and none but the old
est Inhabitants could recall the times
when the family consisted Of Judge
Jod 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
cather In that honorable profession.
Nature hsd endowed him with a talent
for reproducing her beauties. and he
WugBhlped before tho shrine OF Apollo
In preference 10 that Of tho wfse Ath-
enc. A q result be Quarreled with the
Judge and departed for Europe For
severa; pears he communicated with
Penelope. but nnaiiy his letters ceased
20 err1~o.
The gentle mother succumbed b an
aftAck OF pneumonia and was followed
rear lstsr BY her younger daughter.
6hsrtly afterward the Judge WINS dis
covered dead In his ofHce. q 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 II was the
custom for the Sempies 10 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 kpocker summoned her to the
door. and. throwing IL open. Penelope
greeted her cousin and his wife. From
that time on until late evening the
Samples 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 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 We'd with the other in quality
and toothsomeness. They crunched the
celery. reveled I'm the Drowned sweet
potatoes and nodded approval at the
pumpkin pies. There stole over every
one n sense OF peace and contentment,
which comes when love and kindness
permeate the atmosphere.
Then DR.. William Semple rose from
his chair and. holding aoft slender
glass filed with wine of rare vintage.
said In voice of unusual richness: "My
kinspeople, 1 want you TO drink TO the
health and happiness of our dear Pencil
ope. whose unselfsh love and delight
full personality are a benediction to us
ALL"
When he ceased speaking everybody
was standing, with the exception of
Penelope. with glasses uplifted ready
to drink. when there came a loud knock
at the door
One Of the younger boys answered lis
insistent demands and found on the
threshold youth of his own age.
II have come TO see Penelope Sem
pie" he said simply. and was ushered
to the lady's chair.
He bowed low over her hand and
kissed II. then stood tall and straight
before the fragile. gray clad woman.
The years rolled from her shoulders
like raindrops from q window and.
clasping the boy TO her. she cried.
"Dick. my own Dickr
mot Dick. Aunt Penelope. but Dicks
SON He only told me OF my family last
month before he died and insisted that
/ reach here for Thanksgiving Father
described this scene. 70 wildly that