The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1916-12-28
Martha S
Thanksgiving
She Found a Reason For
Celebrating 1t
By CLARISSA MACKIE

"Give thanks for what?" demand
ed Martha Butterworth fercely.
Being alive. Of course, for one
thing" retorted her roommate, old
Mrs. Lloyd.
"Alive.w shifted Martha. 'Every-
body else in the world is alive as
well as l be-"
you're sacrilegious, Martha, ;"
said Mrs. Lloyd solemnly.
81 s'pose l be, l s'pose | be-" said
Martha drearily, and she stared
from the window down at the frost
nipped lawn of the old ladies' home.
Martha Butterworth hated the
old ladies' home with fervor that
few of its inmates understood. Most
of them were simple minded old
women who had invested a little
nest egg of savings in the institu-
ton to receive dividends of a life
long home and decent burial.
Mrs. Buttcrworth in her Younger
DAYS had been quite parsonage in
the county. for her husband, Da-
rius Butterworth. had been known
as the richest farmer within d ra-
dius of twenty-five miles. But Da-
RUS had fallen a victim to the gold
mine fever and awoke one, morning
to find himself the possessor of a
big tin box full of worthless mining
stock, while even his farm had been
mortgaged to its full value.
The horde of censorious relatives
which Immediately gathered at the
Butterworth farm and clamored
their disapproval of Darius "crazy
investments" proved to be too much
for the patient, unbusinesslike Da-
rius, who, dazed by the great mis-
fortune that he had brought upon
his wife as well as himself, prompt
ly disappeared, taking the box Of
beautifully engraved stock certifi-
Gates with him.
The closest search failed to re-
veal the whereabouts of the fugitive
farmer, and the aforesaid relatives,
still censorious, but in a mute,
heartbroken sort of way, helped Da-
RUS bewildered little wife to close
up all the affairs that hungry cred
itors had not already pounced upon,
and they agreed that Martha should
live in turn with one and another
OF, them until Darius should come
back or something turned up.
The bread of dependence is bit
ter, and for five long years Martha
Butterworth tasted gall and worm
wood. Then she packed up her few
belongings and took a position as
housekeeper in the family of a man
who had an invalid wife.
For five more years Martha look
ed for her husbands return, and
then hope died in her breast with
the ending of the tenth year of his
absence.
Shortly after this a severe attack
of rheumatism crippled Martha's
busy feet, and so she gave up her
situation and, taking her small saw
ings, did what her soul loathed to
do-she became an inmate of the
old ladies' home in the adjacent
city.
Old Mrs. Lovd knew that Martha
Butterworth had been a very bril-
liant pianist in her day. Before
Martha had married Darius she had
taught music, and after she was
married she played for her hus-
bands pleasure. For ten years her
work hardened fingers had not
touched piano keys, and in spite OF
Mrs. Loyd's pleading that Martha
enliven their long autumn evenings
with "tunes" on the big square pi-
ano in the parlor of the home Mar
tha had as steadfastly refused to
touch it.
Thankful, indeed" muttered
Martha again. Il hate this old
place. | hate this homen' she said
between her clinched teeth.
Mrs. Lloyd, who was now stand
ing in the doorway, heard hep and
drew her mouth in sudden dismay.
''Pd be afraid to say that, Mrs.
Butterworth. It's flying in the face
of Providence to say such things.
I've got a sister who is crazy to
come here and stay, only she hasn't
got $500 to buy her way. If she
was here with me we'd be perfectly
happy. Pm afraid she will never
have $500 to come, though"
''You don't know. Maybe Provi-
dence will open a way for her." said