The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-09

BY c. r. WILLIAMS.

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She was alone. The impatient snap
ping Of the kitchen fire and the MUIR
murous monotone Of the rain were the
only sounds that broke the dreary 81
lence Of sullen gray November. And
it was Thanksgiving day.
"The boys" her two middle-aged
sons, were in the town somewhere.
They would be home to dinner and
away again. She hoped they were hav-
ing a good time.
There was rap at the door. Grand
mas eyes were red and she would
rather not see anyone Just now. "Come
in," she finally called, not knowing
what else to do.
All aloneT cheerily sang out the
visitor. the daughter Of an old-time
friend.
The aged woman turned her back
to her caller for an instant and fur
lively wiped her eyes.
"You haven't anything to do today,
have your" asked the visitor.
'Nothin' but git dinner" was the re-
ply. I'm gittin' q nice dinner for the
boys"
Cant the boys cook7" was the alb
rupt question. Anyway" she added.
I've come to carry you away for the
day." -~si
Grandma's back Strengthened up just
a notch. "Wherer' she painted, look
ing scared. She couldn't remember
when she had been away from home at
meal time.
"Out to sister James," was the re-
ply. "You know mother lives with her,
and you two can talk over the times
when you were girls. We're going to
have real old-style Thanksgiving and
I know you'll enjoy It,"
It was just what grandma had been
longing and yearning for-to be invited
out where she would be installed in a
comfortable rocking chair and visited
with as if she were still human being
dAu uOI just Iuu-uONA Oiu PAO"
horse.
I'D like to CO." she began, "but John
and Harry"
"Oh, don't worry about John and
Harry" interrupted the visitor. It'll
be a lark for them to get their own
dinner for once. You'll go, won't your"
A guilty look crept over grandma's
face, but she finally said: Il never
done sech thing before in my life, but
will 60 jest this once"
"That's right" smiled the friend.
'Be ready by eleven. We are going
early to help with the dinner"
Back to the kitchen grandma tot
tered. Hurriedly and nervously she
scrubbed herself, and smoothed her
scanty hair to the sheen Of white satin.
When she was all ready she looked at
the clock. It was only ten. She would
have time to begin dinner for the boys.
Soon her trembling hands were mix
ing the pastry. But her thoughts
they were playing truant, travelling
step by step backward over many
Thanksgiving to the time when her
good husband was alive and II chill
dren were all at home.
At length the pumpkin was prepared
and in the crust, and grandma was
carefully putting the pies in the oven,
hoping they would be good. Suddenly,
as if seized by the sharpest pain, she
cried: Oh-O-o-o! If hain't clean
forgot the spices! I'll hev to stir 'em
in now!"-
It was not long before the spicy
aroma began to diffuse its fragrance
through the house. And what differ
ence it made!' 1t was like the spirit of
Thanksgiving. The fire cracked mer-
rily. The dull varnish on the old chairs
and cupboard put on a brighter luster.
The tea kettle began real anthem,
and-at last-grandma's heart warmed
up, too, and began to sing with it.
She was just singeing the turkey
a fine plump yellow-skinned one her
farmer son had sent by parcel post
when rapping on the front door near
ly caused her to drop 1t into the fire.
Near the door of the living room
hung a picture Of the entire family
mother and father and sons and daugh-
ters-all standing in three straight
rows. As grandma passed it, she no
ticed every eye gazing at her with
keenest scrutiny.
Are you ready?" cried her friends
voice from the well-filled automobile
at the curb.
II declare I can't 60. The children
would think I was crazy If I run away
on Thanksgivin'," grandma Quavered
with one Of her sweet smiles.
"Too bad" was the rejoinder, and
The car whizzed away, leaving the soil
harry figure standing in the doorway,
a picture of heroic resignation.
She started for the kitchen. As she
passed the picture she stopped. And
10! where before were only cold stares
the now saw smiles. To any eye but
hers they might not have been visible,
but to hers they were real, and she