Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1907 — Her Neighbors’ Blessings [ARTICLE]

Her Neighbors’ Blessings

BY HOPE DARING.

“Why, Edith.” ——— “What is it?” Mrs. Matthews asked as ah* resugared the oatmeal of Maude, the larger one of the twins. '• “The day after to-morrow is Thanksgiving. Had you forgotten it?” Edith Matthews paused before replying to her husband’s question. The pause anight have been accounted forty tEefaet "that Mabel, the other twin, insisted that tier oatmeal should likewise be resugared. ~A/fter attending to tSis Mrs. Matthews ■•aid listlessly, “No, I had not forgotten It. But it doesn’t make any difference •anyway.” —JI “What, Thanksgiving not make any difference? Why, Edith, what is the matter?” and Hiram Matthews set down Ids coffee cup and stared at his wife. ' She shrugged her shoulders. “Is It the •dinner you mean? Well, send up what■ever you like. As to the real spirit of

Thanksgiving, I’ve nothing to be espe•cially thankful for. Oh, dear! The baby Is crying,” and leaving her breakfast, Mrs. Matthews hurried away. “Poor little woman,” thought her hus•band. “She has to work too hard. I “irtelr'F" wulfl ■' affurfrtyiiMgg r ”i T liH 1 tor ter. But nothing to be thankful for, that •doesn't sound like Edith.” When baby Faye had been hushed to -deep it was time for Hiram to start for the store. He had lifted the twins from their high chairs and untied their bibs. He had also thoughtfully put the coffee fwt on the stove and the steak in the oven that Edith might not find her breakfast «old when she had time to finish it. “Good-by, little wife,” he sadi, drawing her to him. “I’ll send up something for Thanksgiving and see Mrs. Murphy •.boot coming to help you to-morrow. Don’t do much extra work, for there will be just ourselves. How I wish we could have gone to the old home. Still I feel tike giving thanks, Edith, for my home, sny babies, and you.” Words like these are usually sweet to a wife. But Edith had been kept awake the greater part of the night by a teething baby, so she replied wearily, “Get whatever you like. Perhaps I should feel thankful if we were rich.” „ “I hope we may be some day,” Hiram began, but she interrupted him impatiently. “Some day l When I am old and gray. It Is now I want the things money can buy, luxuries for my babies, leisure for you and me, time to develop my nature. Well, I'll postpone my thanksgiving till I have something to give thanks for/' In spite of her flippajtyb words, Edith «lung for a moment to her husband. His face was grave, but he whispered tenderly, “My darling, 1 ' and going out attempted to dose the dohr softly behind him. 1 ,• But the sharp November wind caught it from his hand and it slammed no loudly that Faye started up with a fretful cry. At the same moment Maude managed to upset a. glass of water for which she had been reaching and added her cries U> Faye's. - >V’ -, “Thankful, Indeed," Edith said, as after a few moments of alternate soothing and scolding she succeeded in quieting both children. She sat down ad the stt-

ting' room window with Faye in her arms and looking at the house across the way. EE! Eli _—? “The nurse is dressing little Bernice Ashley,” she thought. “I can see her. And there is the cook at the door giving the grocer boy his orders. Mrs. Ashley was at a ball last night. She is sleeping this morning, undisturbed by work or children. Plenty of money, three servants, the dhtrance Into cultivated society, yes, I’m sure Mrs. Ashley can truly observe Thanksgiving.” “Oh, I fear I’m wicked,” she went on

as Faye nestled her curly head on her mother's shoulder. ’’But I’m so tired of being poor. Of course, I appreciate my husband, my babies, and my cozy home. These are just common blessings, though, every one has them and some so many •Other*.*** ■■■■■■■,'i The next day Edith was sitting by the ■window waiting for her husband’s coming. Mrs. Murphy had just gone home, and in the pantry was the turkey all' ready for the oven, mince and pumpkin pies, cranberry tarts, and a dainty rose cake. The table was laid for tea in the dining room. When Hiram came there would be only the oysters to cook. Little Faye was asleep, while Maudie and Mabel were building an imposing block house on the rug in front of the open fire. "How happy they are,” the young mother thought “If I could have a nurse to care for them and leisure to teach them! As it is I’ve hardly time to listen to their prayers." Just then a loud cry reached her. The hall door of the hoqse opposite was dashed open and a woman came flying down the steps shrieking for help. It was Mrs. Ashley, and close behind her came dhe half-clothed figure of a man. Edith could see his clenched fist uplifted whlie dreadful oaths reached her ears. In a moment the scene was one of conThe servants rushed out ing. Edith hurried to the door in time to see a policeman trip up the frantic man and to bear the nurse girl, who had the Ashley child in her arms, say: « “Oh, he'll be all right in the morning. I wish they’d hurry up and get things quiet. This baby is shivering with the cold.” . “Will you bring the little girl in by my Are 7” Edith asked. “I’ll be glad to, ma’am; for a minute. Was you scared, or did you know?” the girl continued, as she followed Mrs. Matthews into the sitting room. . 1 “Know what?” Edith, asked, lighting a lamp. “Who was that man?” “Land I It was the master, Mr. Ashley,” and Norah proceeded to rub little Bernice’s bands in hers. “I don't believe you understand,’* she went SB. “Is it possible we have lived so near for three months and you never knew that Mr. Ashley had them times whenever bn went

on a spree! The mistress was watching for him, too, hut he most caught her.” “Oh, jhow terrible,” Edith cried.-' “He might have killed her.” “He came precious near it when this baby was three months old. He knocked her downstairs. There, there, dear,” for little Bernice was crying. “Let me get her a glass of warm milk,” and Edith hurried away. When she returned she had regained her composure. She noticed Norah’s tenderness with the child and also noticed whatwan little face it was that turned

away from the milk to watch Maude and Mabel. ‘ > The child was dressed in a pink cashmere trimmed with costly lace. There were a couple of rings on her tiny hand. But Edith turned from these details to Study the peculiar dull blue eyes. “Is she ill?” she asked gently. “Her eyes are so heavy.” “They’re always so,” Nora answered with a sigh. “I’ve nursed her since she was born and I love her better than the mother who boi;e her does. But, ma’am, it’s easy to see Bernice isn’t just right. The doctor says she can’t live long. There were two babies before her and they both went sudden like. No constitutions, you see.” An exclamation of horror broke from Mrs. Matthews’ lips. “The poor mother! How can she bear it I” Norah shrugged her shoulders and rose. “I must be going. You’ve been very kind, ma’am. As to the mistress, ahe has society and fine clothes. Don’t blame her too much. I think that brute killed her woman’s soul years agdt We give a big dinner to-morrow night. The master will be sobered by that time. Giving thanks, you know, Now, Bernice, pet, Norah will take you home and put you to bed.” Edith accompanied her caller to the door. As she stood watching her cross the street, a brisk step came np the < walk. “I'm late; little wife,” and Hiram Matthews stooped for the kiss which be never forgot. “Why, Ejjrth, you are cry,n *” fC “Oh, Hiram, I am so glad to-morrow is Thanksgiving, so glad. May the dear Father In Heaven forgive me for my wicked words and thoughts. I’ve so much to be thankful for. Come in by the fire and I’ll tell you all about It" — Womankind.