The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1870-03-03
MISCELLANY.
From the Western Home.
How Johnny gotta Christmas
Turkey.
BY HARRY Z. GILLETTE.


BY HARRY Z. GILLETTE.
aJohnny, what in the world are you
crying so for?"
"Why ma, you know tomorrow is
Christmast and Fred Shaw says every
body must have a turkey on Christmas,
and we amt agoing to, have any. Oh
dear !! oh dear!
Now Johnny. don't cry about that;
Fred Shaw told you a wrong story,
when he said everybody must have tur,
key. Besides all that we going to have a
nice bread pudding, with raisins in it,
and some mashed potatoes, which you
like so well"
s.Well, that aint turkey, is it?" said
Johnny, looking reproachfully at his
mother.
Of course not, but then it is almost
as good, and a turkey would cost a
dollar or more, aud you know we must
not spend so much money. / will give
you a whole dime in the morning, to
spend as you like"
The thought of having whole dime
NIL his own, soon dried his tears, for let
me tell you, Johnny's mother was apoor
widow, consequently johnny never had
many dimes.
"Now, Johnny" said Mrs. Folders,
after Johnny had dried his tears, "you
can go out and play awhile, but don't
be gone very loug."
Johuuy took his cap and scarf down
from the peg, (Johnny was very order
ly boy,) and rushed out of the house in
high glee; to enjoy the fun of catching
rides on passing sleig.s, as orAy boys of
eight and ten know how to enjoy.
After Johnny had rode and run till
ne was somewhat tired, he stopped in
front of a large confectionery shvp,
gaziag in at the nice things SO tempt
linsly displayed, and wondering what
he had best buy with his dime on the
morrow. So intent was his gaze in the
shop, that he had never once SAW the
big fat man who wore a tall bat and
huge over-shoes, hurrying down street,
as if his life was to stake; and because
he was 50 large, and Johnny so small,
aud he didn't see him, till he had trip
ped Johnny entirely cfF his feet with
one of his big over shoes, and laid him
spralling on the pavement. Assoon as
he saw what he had done, he turned
round, aud helped Johnny to his feet
Asking him, "did l hurt you much my
little man." Johnny answered with IL
faint "No sir" but seeing tears in his
eyes the big man reached his hand in
his pocket, and pulled out FIVE cents
and gave him, ard hurried on fastt r
than ever, as if to make up lost time.
johnny stood looking after him as he
hurried, wondering if he ever got cold,
when he thought he saw something fall
from his pocket. Johnny rushed after
him as fast as his legs 20 I'D carry him;
when he reach I'd the spot he found it
to be curious little bundle Of red and
green papers; thinking it might be
something valuable, he fastened on as
fast he could, hoping to overtake the
man, but soon saw him enter large
building, which Johnny thought was a
bank.
Johnny hurried up to the door, and
was just going to enter, when he saw
printed iu large letters on the door:
mo admittance except on business. !"
Johnny was afraid to 60 in, so he waited
outside, to see if some one wouldn't
come out soon. He had not long to
wait, for soon the great door opened,
and out stepped the very man he was
looking for, looking pale and fIighten'
ed. He was about hurryiug off in the
same direction he had come, when
Johnny interrupted with, "Please sir,
did you drop this? I thought I saw it
fall from your pocket"
The man looked around quite sharp.
"What is it my little man do you want
more money"
"Ob, sir" said Johnny, coloring,
"here is something you dropped. Where
did you find it?" he asked catching
Johnny by the hand. I saw you drop
it on the sidewalk, and thinking it
might be something you might want, I
ran after you; l have been waiting for