I THE NEW MINISTER. HAT do you think , Aunt Vic let ? The new minister is con ing to-niglit ! " Miriam Blake and her cousin , Efli Towers , burst into the quiet old-fasl loned sitting-room like twin gales o wind so fresh and sudden and inspirii ing were the } ' . It was a very cheerful apartmen with the crimson carpet flooded wit , October sunshine , the canary singLn ; from his cage among the geraniums ij the window-seat , and a bright wooi fire crackling from the most burnisL ed of brass andiorns on the heartli- for Aunt Violet loved an open fire and adhered to it through all the mod em innovations. She was a woman past thirty , ye very pretty withal a woman whosi type Of face and form would alway remain youthful. Brown hair , Avitl rippling lights of gold upon its sur face ; blue-gray eyes , large and shade * with long lashes ; a complexion when the fresh white and red betokenet perfect health and a smiling , cherry red , melting mouth , whose smiles be Jrayed a singularly regular set o teeth Miss Violet Brown was perhap : quite as attractive in her mature wo manhood as she had been , in her fresh er girl-days. "To-night ? " said Aunt Violet. "Am Is the parsonage all in readiness ? " "All prepared , I believe. And wha do you think. Aunt Violet , " went or Miriam , TvltJi girlish eagerness , "ol old Mrs. Marsh going there with hei two daughters to prepare tea , anc make it 'sort o' bum-like , ' as she saj's for him tie first night ? " And Violet smiled over her crochet. "Why , " struck in Efiie Towers , "the Marsh girls are as old as the hills. " "Not quite as old as the hills , " -said Aunt Violet , quietly. "Sarah Marsb Is about my age , and Mehitable can not be more than a year or two older. " "Oh , Aunt Violet ! " said Eilie , coaxIngly - Ingly , stealing both arms around Miss - Brown's slender waist , "nobody ever thinks of your being old ! " "It's an indisputable .fact neverthe less , " said Aunt Violet , serenely. "Aunt Violet , " said Miriam suddenly - ly , as she sat looking her aunt full in the face , "how I wish Mr. Smith would fall in love with you ! " Aunt Violet shrugged her shoulders. "My dear child , isn't Brown a sufli- ciently common cognomen but you ? raut to change it into the still more hackneyed name of Smith ? " "I wasn't thinking of the name , Aunt Violet I was only reflecting to myself what a splendid minister's wife rou would make. " "I shall never make anybody's wife , Miriam. " " \Miat nonsense5 : ejaculated tne gay girl. "Why , aunty , you are the prettiest of our whole set , yet with your sweet-pea complexion and those big innocent eyes of yours " But here Effie Towers interrupted , speaking gravely with serious glance. "I know what makes Aunt Violet speak so , Miriam she has had a dis appointment years and years ago. " "Aunty ! Did you really ? " " 'Years and years ago , ' as Effie says , I had a lover , " returned Aunt Violet , calmly. "And what interrupted the current of true love ? " "I was foolish , and wished to test my power. Clarence , that was his name , was hasty and impulsive , and my folly incensed kirn. So we parted. " "And is he married Jiow ? " " 1 do not know. I have never seen nor heard from him since. He was only spending the summer vacation , a college student , in our quiet village. " "What was his last name ? " "N'importe , Miriam , do not let us disinter any more of the horrid past. I have told you my folly. See that you take warning by it. " Aud none of Miriam Blake's soft coaxings could win from Aunt Violet any further confidences. "You are not an old maid , darling aunty , " said Miriam , "but Sarah Marsh is , and I mean to enter the lists with her myself to win the new min ister's favor. The parsonage would make a pretty nest for such a bird as I am , all embowered in roses and clematis , and full of delicious little by windows and maple-shaded piazzes. I hope he's young and good-looking. " "lie's just thirty-five , " said Effie , "for Deacon Alden told me so. " "Did he say whether he was good- looking or not ? " "No , lie didn't , as if Deacon Alden cared for his looks. " "Thirty-five that is rather old-bach- elorish , but a man isn't totally past reform at thirty-five , " observed Mir iam , pensively. "If Aunt Violet won't have him I'll try my chance. " "I shall never marry , " gravely re iterated Aunt Violet , with more serl- oiiMiess than Miriam's light-jesting way seemed to call for. "If that's the wise , " said Miriam , "I'll go and rip up the breadths of my lilac lawn dress , and have the fluted rullles done up. One can't be too care ful of one's advantage of costume at such a critical time , and I know Mehit able Marsh has got a white dress with blue rosebuds all over it. ' ' "Miriam , what a rattlepate you are , " said Eillo. "Don't I tell you I need a minister for a husband , just to sober me down ? " And with this Parthian arrow of re- 'tort. Miss Miriam quitted the room , with Eliie following her. I'recently she came back again , danc ing merrily into the room. "I've found out my future husband's name. " "What is it ? " "A decided novelty John Smith. " Aunt Violet smiled , and Miriam van ished once more like a twinkling bit of thistledown. Violet Brown sat gazing into the coral depths of the bright embers that had fallen through the logs on the hearth. Somehow , spite of her asser tion of self-reliance and independence , she felt very lonely that October after noon. "I'll go for a walk , " thought Violet "Perhaps a little exercise will dissi pate this gathering despondency. " She tied a round hat under her curls , put on a coquettish scarlet cir cle , tasseled with white silk , which , according to her loving nieces , "made her look like a delicious little Red Hiding Hood , " and went out into the fresh autumn air , where the woods , all radiant with gold and crimson glories , were showering their leafy tro phies on the walks below , as she en tered their silent aisles. "Autumn , " she thought , sadly , "how soon it has come upon us ! And it is but a little while since spring was here with her dew and roses. My spring has vanished , too , and unlike the sacred season of birds and blos soms , it will never return to me again. Heigho ! I wonder what I was born "TJIIXKIXG A LITTLE PLXSIVELY. " into this world for. I don't seem tc be of very much use to anybody. " Violet was thinking thus , a little pen sively , as she sat on a moss-enameled fallen tree , tapping the drifts of yel low leaves with the point of-her para sol , and letting the fresh , fragrant wind blow the gold-brown curls back from her forehead. She was not think ing how picturesque was her attitude , nor how beautiful her face looked in its oval clearness , with pink flushes on either cheek , but both these facts struck the perceptions of a tall strang er carrying a valise in his left hand , who had just crossed the stile leading from the main road , and entered the illuminated glow of the autumnal woods. lie raised his hat with a courteous motion as Miss Brown started at his advancing footsteps. "I beg your pardon ; I fear I have unintentionally startled you. " "Not at all. " Violet looked up earn estly at his face as she answered. "Perhaps you can direct me to the shortest cut across these woods to Millhambury ? I am not quite certain is to my localities. " "You are on the direct path now , Clarence Smith. " He started , in his turn , and gazed icrutinizingly into her face. "I thought it was familiar to mel" le exclaimed , "and now I know it Violet ! who -would have thought of neeting you here ? " Violet Brown trembled like an aspen eaf , but she strove to control her- elf. "The world is full of just such : hance meetings , Clarence. " She had half turned away , but the jentleman had put down his valise , ind was evidently inclined not to part vith her so readily. "Stop , Violet do not go away. My eve ! I have so longed to see you , all hese years. Tell me that you have tot entirely forgotten the past that ou have still a word of tenderness or the wayward lover who flung away lis brightest chances of happiness 3ng ago ! Violet , yon were my first eve be my last ? " "Do you love me still , Clarence ? " he asked , the blue-gray eyes soften- ug to a strangely tender brightness. "Do I breathe and exist still ? I ell you , Violet my heart is like the entury plant which only blossoms nee and its blossoming is in the sun- hine of your love alone. " She was silent lovelier than ever , 'larence thought In the momentary adecision , the shy hesitation of her aanner , as she stood under the old rees , a gold-tinted leaf drifting down ere and there around her , and her remulous hands clasped to hide their utter as far as might be. "Violet , darling ! tell me that you 3ve me. " "I love you , Clarence ! " There is a Garden of Eden created new for every happy pair of lovers -and Clarence and Violet stood in 'aradise now I "But Clarence , " resumed Violet rhen the first all-Absorbed words and glances of their new happiness ha been exchanged , "I don't compreher this at all. How did you come hen and how did you know where to fir me ? " "I did not know where to find yoi ( Violet Chance has been my frier > here , and as for my opportune appea ance on the scene , it is very easily a < counted for. I have been called t lake charge of the parish of Millhan bury. " "Clarence , you are not the new mil ister ? " "But I am the new minister. " "His name is John Smith. " "I beg your pardon , mia amima- it is John Clarence Smith. " And Violet's surprise was sufflciem ly amusing to the reverend gentlema at her side. Old Mrs. Bezabel Marsh and he two elderly , hard-favored daughter * had got the parsonage all ready , eve ; to lighting the evening lamps on th study-table , and poking the clear ac thraclte fire that burned in the dining room grate. Miss Mehetable had turned th tumbler of crimson currant jelly int Its cut-glass dish , and disposed th green sprigs of parsley to the mos striking effect round the thinly-cu slices of boiled tongue , while Mis Sarah made a Leaning Tower of Pisi of the buttermilk biscuits , and whisk ed the flies away from the sugar-basin In readiness for the expected guest and like the hero of song , "still hi came not ! " "The kittle's boiliu' , and the tea' ! all steeped , " said Mrs. Marsh , as sh < sat in the big rocking-chair in from of the fire. "It'll be spiled if he don'i come pretty soon. " "He'll be here presently now , " saic Miss Mehetable , loosening her curl ; from their confining papers. "Oh , ma I wonder if he'll be pleased with wlia ) we've done ! " "He can't help it , " said Mrs. Marsh , mentally congratulating herself on her double chances of being the minister's mother-in-law. But the - - words were yet on her lips and the triumphant re flections yet in her mind , when a knock came softly to the door , and Miriam Blake entered , rosy with her long walk through the frosty autumn twilight. "Have you heard the news ? " asked Miriam. "I thought I'd conic over and tell you. The new minister has come. " "Sakes alive ! " ejaculated Mrs. Marsh. "I don't b'lieve it , " said Mehetable. "Oh , but he has for I've seen him. And you needn't st'.iy here any longer , Cor he has concluded to remain at our house to-night. " Mrs. Marsh and her ( laughters both stared. ' . 'What an airth does it all mean ? " leiuandcd the elder lady "I'll tell you a very , very great se cret , " cried the delijhted Miriam. 'He's an old beau of Aunt Violet's , ind the engagement has been renewed , ind my dear little blue-eyed aunt is : o be the minister's wife the very next nonth that ever daAvn upon us ! " "Land o' Goshen ! " cried Mrs. Marsh. "Well I never ! " said Miss Sarah. " 1 shouldn't think , " venomously com- nented Miss Mehetable , "that he'd vant to marry an old maid. " "There are more old maids than one n the world , " observed Miriam , phil- > sophically. "So if you'll kindly lock ip the room , I'll take the key back o my new uncle-that-is-to-be. I had nought of setting my cap at the new ninister myself , but I cheerfully yield he palm to Aunt Violet" She tripped tome , through the dusk , aughing to herself at the discomfit- ire of the Marsh family. Aunt Violet .nd Mr. John C. Smith were sitting ozily together over the fire when she eturned , and , as she passed through he room , she only paused to throw icr arms around Violefs neck , and rhisper : "What do you think now about never larrying , Aunt Violet ? " The LToarth- tone. Monkey Discipline. One of the monkey cages in the row York "Zoo" contains a mother lonkey and her baby. Some visitors ne day gave the mother a chocolate eppermint She tasted it , smacked er lips , winked , and put it all into er mouth only to remove it at once , ud smack and wink much harder , .fter a second she repeated her ex- eriment , and again hastily removed le peppermint Once more she put the dainty in her louth , but once more took it out 'hen ' , with watery eyes , she laid the indy carefully on the ledge of her ige , turned her back , walked over > the opposite side , seized the rails rith both hands , and gazed out as if ic had never seen a peppermint Meanwhile the baby , who had been igaged with visitors in a corner , had iturued to the front Seeing the pep- ermlnt , he picked it up and tasted But his mother's three experi- icnts had left only a nibble for him. hat disposed of , he , too , walked to le opposite side , seized the rails , and ; oed gazing out with the same air of tter absorption as his mother's. As soon as the latter had cooled awn she came back again , and look- 1 for the peppermint Not seeing it , le swept with one paw all along the dge where she had loft it , but in iln. Suddenly she ran to the baby , id twisting his head to face herself , it one hand on each of his jaws , ailed his mouth -wide open , stuck her jad in , and gave a big sniff. Then le turned him ovar and spanked him lundly. We don't know that the Latin In- riptions on tombstones stand for it hare an idea that , translated intc aglish , they irsuld aaeaa : "He's al WHEN THANKSGIV1N1 COMES. Goin' to have a Joyful day 'Bout next Thursday down our way ; Relatives Ml all be here Cornln' now fr'ni far an' near. Got a turkey home , I'll bet Is the biggest we've had ynt ; Always lots to eat. I've found When Thanksglvlu * comes around. Pa , he'll carve the noble bird , Telliu' all the jokes he's heard ; Ma , she'll keep things movin" right , Everyone * ! ! tMk a sight All exceptin' Bill an' me ; We'll be still as still can be , Won't have time to make a sound When Thauksgivin' comes atouud. Golly ! but it's bully , though , Havin' relatives , you know. Ma jest smiles when Bill and I Take a second piece of pie ; Pa , he'll only laugh and roar When we pass our plates fcr more ; Never's scolded us nor frowned When Thanksgiviif couies around. Uncle Jlin sez me an' Bill 'S jest about ez Imrd to fill Ez two elephants , but Gee ! If they'll only let us be We won't care fer what they say , But jest grin an' eat away. We'll be full clear fr'm the ground When Thankspivln' comes around. Council Bluffs Nonpareil. A THANKFUL THANKSGIVING i r ? DON'T feel as if I should enjoy thi ] Thanksgivin' , " said Mrs. Joel Nh bett , looking down into the basket c glossy , red cheeked Spitzenbergs as if i were" family vault and taking up a ipplo as if it had been a skull ; "no , lou't. " "Then , Sarepta , ' ' observed her hue ) and , who had just thrown a huge lo , " don't disaru notb m the open fire , "you if to be thankful ior ! It's as harnsom i turkey as ever flapped , and I don' I've had nice mow of a year when nimpkins on that ar' corn lot ! " " 'Taiu't turkey or pumpkin pies o Tfiiberry sass as makes Thanksgivin' , ' : ijied Mrs. Nisbett. "What is it , then ? Ef it's cold wcath T , I should ha' thought the last fros \ould ha' done the business for yoi > retty fairly. Them arteinis > ias by th < rent door is scorched black , and the ol < LKiple is losin' its leaves as if they was -linin' down. 1'arson' .Tarvis is comiii ,11 the way from. Sloatesvillu to preacl 0 morrow , and the quire's lamed a bran low anthem just a-purpoe , about hem haukfui for harvest and all that sort oJ liing. I'm sure I don't know what else ou'd have. " Mrs. Nisbett only answered by a s0'h. ! "I wonder if 'tain't possible Stephe'll e hum to-night. " fJic said after a pause. "lie writ not. lie thought he'd drop 1 arly to-morrow uioruiif if he caught lie train he expected. Only think , old , -omau ; it's five years since Stophe was ma to Thanksgivin' ! " Old Nisbett rubbed his horny hands. 1th a chuckle , adding : "And I s'pose , if all accounts is true , e's gettin' to be a great man out in lat western country. It was kind of a an ! pull when he went off and left us , ut maybe t'he boy was in the right. " "Yes. " said Mrs. Nisbett dolorously , Imt somehow I can't get reconciled to 10 idea of his marryiif a strange gal it thore. " .Tool scratched his head. This was a hase of the subject that he scarcely > lt competent to discuss. "Maybe you'll like her. Stephen says lo's a nice gal. " "Stephen ? ays ! As if a man over head id ears in love wouldn't say anything. " " [ wish he'd told us who she was. " Mrs. Nisbett groaned again. Joel went it tu the woodpile , the everi'day shrine hence he generally derived what little : philosophic inspiration he had. "Mrs. Nisbett ! " It was a soft little voice , and the old dy's face relaxed instinctively as it lunded on her ears. "Why , Lida Tremaine 'tain't you ! " "It is. I've done everything that Auiit mstance wanted , and now I've just run or to see if you don't need a bit of She stood in the doorway , a fair Kltle > parition , all flushed and rosy with the ovember wind , while her blue eyes iarkled as if they were twin sapphires dden away under her long , dark lashes. u was neither blond nor brunette , but fre h checked girl , with nut brown lir , skin like the leaf of a damask rose , straight , refined nose and lips as ripe a red crabapple , though by no means sour. Generally she had a demure rt of gravity lingering about her face , it when she did laugh a dimple came it upon her cheek and a row of pearly ? th glimmered instantaneously. In one hand she carried a bunah of Le autumn flowers. "Sot' " she cried , holding them up. "I tracked Aunt Constance's gardeu for o3o. 1 knew that big vase 01 the man- i needed something , and , with a branch so of scarlet leaves , I'll have sc royal uquet to help you keep Thanksgiving. " Mrs. Nisbett took the fair oval face tweon her two hands and kissed the . th little mouth. "Set down , Lida , " she said. "I wasn't jalculatin1 to- have no sech fixin's up , t you've seoh a way , child , I can't vor say no to you. " "Hut you're going to keep Thankssiv- ; , " cried Lida , throwing off her outer npplngs ami dancing np to the looking iss like a little gale of wind , "because u invited Aunt Constance and me to anor and because your aoa is coming me. " "Yes , child , yes , " said Mrs , NLsbett , bsiding once more into the mournful y from which Lida's sudden app ar- ce had momentarily aroused her. oel's got the turkey shut up in a coop , d the bakin's done , and I'm just a-fii- thom apples , and " "Oh , oh , " cried Lida , who had flat- ed to die window , "what glorious red , ves speckled over with little drops of Id ! Mnj I rnako some wreaths for the ill ? Oh , please say yes" Mrs. Nfcbett said "y s" It would have been hard work to say "no" to Lida- and the girl r-oon came in , her apron fu of tiie sprigs of the old maple trei whose shadowy boughs kept the windo veiled -vvith cool shadows through th glaring summer days and showered fac iug gold upon the dead grass when th autumn came. Mrs. Nishett looked with tendernes upon the graceful little figure seated o the hearth rug , when the shine of th high heaped logs lost itself in her brigh hair and made sparkles In her eyea , a the wreaths and trails of autumn leave grew rapidly beneath her deft fingers. "Lida , " she said softly , "Lida , m ; dear ! " Lida looked up. "I saw your Aunt Constance yesterda ; bub there's somethiu * reserved about hei and I' didn't like to ask about you whether you had decided to go ont as i governess or not ; because , my dear , Joe and I were talkin' last night , and w < both thought what a comfort it would hi to have you here. " "To have me here ? " "We're old and we're alone , and some how we've both took a fancy to you , m : child. So when your Aunt Constant goes back to the city , if you choose t < come hero" Mrs. Nisbett paused abruptly and burs : into tears. "We had a little girl oncp. m'y dear and if she'd lived she would ha' beer nigh about your age. " Lida let the loaves drop down on the floor as she sprang up and throw botl : anus round the old woman's neck. "Oh , Mrs. Xisbett , " she whisperer : softly , "you are so very , very kind. Be lieve me , I appreciate it all. but but I hardly know how to tell you. " Mr ? . Nisbett listened intently. Lida smiled and cried a little and then whis pered so low it was scarcely audible. "I am going to be married. " "Married ! " ejaculated Mrs. Nisbett , with all a woman's interest in this im portant piece of information. "And who to ? " "Your son lives in Iowa in Parling- ton ? " "Yes. " "Well , did he over mention the name of " Lida paused , hpr chocks plowing roses. Old Nisbett had come in with an nrmful of wood , bringing a gale with him from the frosty outer world. "I'll toll you by and by , " whispered Lid-i as she wont back to her work. "Jocl'll go out again arter awhile. ' ' : houL'ht Mrs. Nisbett , "and then I'll hoar ibout Lida's beau. " But Joel sat down before the fire with i complacent satisfaction which boded II for the gratification of his wife's curi- > sity. and finally accompanied Lida home , : hus frustrating all his wife' ? designs ind cutting off her chance of hearing Lida's story. "Dear me ! " thought she. "I don't be- ieve the man was ever born who know- > d when he wasn't wanted ! How lone- : omc it seems when Lida's pone ! What lees the girl want to get married for vhen I could ha1 took such a sight o' lomfort with her ? Oh. dear , dear ! It Iocs seem as if the world was all iskew ! " The next day , in spite of the weather irophet'R prediction of snow , dawned lear and brilliant as the dying smile of ndian summer. By 11 o'clock Mrs. Nis- iett was dressed in her best silk and ap , with the turkey browning beauti- ully in the oven and the cranberry tarts .oing credit to themselves as well as to heir maker , the table set , the fire high .eaped with crackling logs and the plates ressed with coronals of autumn leaves. LUiit Constance , a tall , prim maiden idy of uncertain age , stood before the tidroom looking glass arranging her coif- ure. Lida , in a blue dress with a late utumn rose in her hair , was tripping ither and thither as light footed and elpful as half a dozen household fairies lerged into one , while Mrs. Nisbett teed regarding her with a loving eye. mrmuring to herself : "Well , well , it seems like it was the ( Orel's will to deny us of just what we lo t want , but if I had a daughter I auld wish she was like Lida. " As the old kitchen clock struck 1 Mrs. 'isbett , looking from t'he ' window , gave little cry. "There he comes there comes Joel , ad , as I live , there's the boy with him ! " Lida ran into the bedroom. When gho returned , Mrs. Nisbett was i clasped in the arms of a tall , handaom * man of four or five and twenty. "Lida. " said the proud matron , striv ing to disengage herself from the affec tionate clasp , "this is my son Stephen , and why , what's the matter ? " For Stephen had dropped her hands with an exclamation of surprise and amazement , and Lida stood there glowing crimson. "Lida ! Why , mother , this la a sur prise indeed that you have prepared for me ! " "I prepared ! " echoed the astonished old lady. "Well , that's a peed unwhen I'm ten times as much surprised as you be ! Lida , what does this mean ? " , "It means , " said Lida , with a smile she was beginning to scattered self-possession "it moans that this is the gentleman I am to be married to ! " "Stephen ! " cried Mrs. Nisbett , "is Lida to be your wife ? " "She has pivon me her promise to that effect , at least , " said Stephen , looking proudly down upon his lovely little fiancee. "Well , if it don't beat all how queer things do happon- ! ' said Mrs. Nisbett , her face radiant. "And you've been liv- in' neighbor to me these six weeks and I never knowed it. Lida , why didn't you tell me ? " "Because I never dreamed that Ste phen Risingham. my betrothed western lover , was anything to Mrs. Nisbett. " said Lida. laughing. "There 'tis , now I" ejaculated the farm er. "How was she to know that he was only my nephew , adopted when his par ents died , twenty peed years ago ? We've always called him son , and he's alwaya boon a eon to us. Cut Lida didn't know. Old woman , what do you say to Ste phen's wife ? " Mrs. Nisbett clarped LMi to her heart. "I do say , " she ejaculated , "this is the thankfullest Thnnk pivin' I over lived to see ! " New York Daily News. On Thanksgiving : The Leader of the Runaways Don't be alarmed , my dears ; it's nothing but a vegetarian hunting for edible fungi. Thanksgiving Day. Our pilgrim fathers left us a good ample when they set aside a day Which to devote our thoughts to co ing up the blessings of the year not only to outside causes of prosi > erity , such as the abundance of our crops , the good fruit year , peace and plenty everywhere , but we should count our personal bless ings , "one by one ; " even in those where sorrow and trouble are ever present the blessings would outnumber the afflic tions. Is it not something to see the blue sky and the preen fields , to hear the joyoua song of the birds , to have the use of our limbs , and. better far , a clear brain and in active mind ? Let us keep our heart * tuned to praise and thanksgiving , lihen we will bring smiles to other faces that seldom smile. These are little things , but life is made up of little things. Soliloquy of a Turkey. I know that Thanksgiving day's most here. And It makes me lonp to fly. For I've reached my prime , and It's mighty clear That It's time for me to die. I saw the head of t honse come out. And he smiled as ho Brazed at me. And he cried aloud that there wag no doubt What a comfortable meal I'd be. Oh. I've got to go ! And it Rives me a fit. Thought It Isn't so much for ray life Ihat I care about , but he can't carve a bit. And I've got to be hacked by his wife. New York Herald. =