Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-03-30
AUNT THERESA
BY HELEN s. MARSH

~ ~ ~ - - - - = ~
g. 1924, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Aunt Theresa sat studying the worn
rag carpet on the floor Of the little
sitting room. How faded and old the
carpet had become Why shouldn't
1t? For many years il had served its
purpose. The red strips came from
the happy school days. The gray
strips were pieces of her mothers
wedding gown; the brown, a portion
of her own wedding dress-yes, she
could recall fond memories woven In
the floor covering. The eyes grew
misty, the colored strips seemed to
dance, then faded from sight.
How childish of me" Aunt Their
esa said aloud, wiping the tears away
with the corner OF the little white
apron. This is the time of all the
year | should be happy and thankful,
j suppose; but, somehow, ThankSgiv-
ing week doesn't seem as il did once.
It's been so long since I've had a
Thanksgiving dinner-w with company
about-to cheer"
Nearly half past nine, Pussy
Aunt Theresa had the habit of talk
ing to her yellow cat-"time for the
stage. I'll jest slip on my things and
be ready by the time the mail is
open"
She folded the little apron carefully
and went out into the cold
Twas an event in her lonely life to
go to the post office for the pension
envelope.
Good morning Aunt Theresa" said
the kind postmlstress as she passed
her the long, yellow document "Glad
20 see you this morning. Wait, here
Is another letter for you" She passed
Aunt Theresa a dainty violet envelope
with a rich purple seal on the back
Dear me-" said Aunt Theresa, ex.
eitedly, scanning the envelope, ''how
/ wish ! had my reading glasses with
mel"
Perhaps | can tell you what's in
mine, as / have one Jest like it, said
Miss Lucy Bangs-Aliss Lucy was
maiden lady who lived across the way
from Aunt Theresas. She hurriedly
tore open the envelope She read
eagerly. ITS an invitation to Mrs.
Hamin's house, for Thanksgiving day.
Did you ever" she exclaimed. peering
over her glasses at Aunt Theresa. Il
noticed DR. Browns wilder and Sarah
Butler got one, and there's one in old
Mr. Libbys box. yes, and there's one
sn Mr.. and Mrs Henderson's box, too.
Now. isn't that good of the Hamins to
do such thing?"
"Jest walk along with me and come
In SPELL" said Aunt Theresa, land
wen talk it over" The two old ladies
trudged along as happily as children.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hamin and three chill
dren lived in big stone house, Ham
IN Hall, on the hill that is, they lived
there summers, but usually went away
early In October TO their home in the
city.
Let us stay here this year until
after Thanksgiving Mrs. Hamin had
said, land see what a Thanksgiving
dinner would be like in the country"
"a capital idea" Mr. Hamin had ex
claimed
SO dainty invitations were sent to
the older folks and to the young folks
which gave happy anticipation before
the eventfui day.
Aunt Theresa went to the depths of
the old hair trunk for her finery to
wear en- the dress-in-your-best day.
There was the green merino she
wore years ago at the last Thanks
giving dinner when William, her hus-
band. and she, had invited the Cralgs
and the Pixies Son George was home
from college How he liked the dress
She would wear that and the lace col
lar and cameo pin, also the white man
Gle.
Thanksgiving day dawneo bright,
clear and crisp, without snow. The
Hamln's automobile chugged up the
hill many times that forenoon with the
happy passengers.
"Oh, there are to be children here,
too i" exclaimed Aunt Theresa with
Joy.
and 1t was they who had named her
"Aunt"
Hamin Hall was a gay, happy place
that day The bountlful dinner, the
games, the music-how good every
thing was The laughter of children
and the general good cheer gladdened
everyone.
When the happy folks were ready to
40, Mr.. Hamin said THE invitations
which you've all received for today
are good for next year, and so on,
as long as we live in Hamin Hall. We
are thankful for this privilege Of glad
dening your hearts
"Weli, Pussy" said Aunt Theresa,
as she packed away the green merino
dress that night, this has been joy
ful day / an thankful for all my
blessings y