The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-12-02
4 DINNER That Walked OFF.

4 DINNER That WALKED OFF.
BY OLIVE THoRNE.
The way it began, Hannah was cross
that day. For one thing, she had big
Thanksgiving baking to do in an old
fashioned house, where pies and cakes
were made by the quantity.
Then, while she was out of the kitchen
a moment, Margery, in frolic with
puss, had upset the churn with its load
Of cream ill over the snow-white floor.
That made plenty of extra work but
the GROWING disaster was to find, when
she went TO the pantry for the beans she
intended to bake, that a bottle of brandy
that she had kept last summer to battle
her ankle, which she had sprained in
falling down the cellar-stairs, had been
upset.
It stood far out Of the way on the top
shelf, but, unfortunately, the dish Of
beans was directly under it, and the
brandy had dripped over them, soaking
them so thoroughly that it was not pos
sible to use them.
But the worst was yet to come. On
finding the beans ruined, she simply
emptied them into the pail which stood
At the kitchen door, and, washing her
hands, set to work to knead her big pan
OF puffy bread-dou9h.
Now the Gtchen-door opened into a
woodshed, and the ash-pail, with the
heans on top, was supposed to be safe
enough; but, unfortunately, on this
special afternoon, the outside door was
ajar.
The beans had not been there long be.
fore the turkeys came around to be fed.
a. usual and one of them, of prying
disposition, noticed the. open door, and,
probably remembering the good things
that came out of the door, quietly
hoped ON the step and walked in.
Nothing to be seen but piles of wood
for the season, now getting severe, and
-yes-a pail with something in it.
"Ah! that looks good I'll try il, -
thought the curious turkey (no doubt).
She did try it, and, not being sensitive
in either taste OF smell, she never stopped
trying it until she had swallowed ali the
top ones, soaked in brandy, and then
turned to go.
The effect was sad.
Her head whirled around, it is sup
posed; at any rate, her legs refused to
hold her up, and she fell to the ground
insensible.
Half an hour later, Hannah went out
for more wood to replenish her fire, and
in the gathering darkness stumbled over
the turkey still lying there.
A glance at the fowl, to see that she
was not outwardly hurt, and another ut
the pail, told the shameful story.
"Here's fine bit o work !" exclaimed
Hannah. turning the limp turkey over.
1.-THE idiot has gone and killed herself
entirely with those beans I'd like to
know who left open that door! Well.
well, I want q turkey for Thanksgiving.
and this one died by accident, and its
meat will be as good as though I'd
wrung her neck"
50 muttering and grumbling to her:
self, after fixing her fire, she attacked
the turkey, for, though she was some
times cross. she was always economical,
and she knew no questions would be
asked as to how it came to its end, pro-
vided it was fat, and was roasted we'll.
In few minutes, she had the feathers
of3, except those on the wings and tail,
and she laid the picked turkey on a
bench to cool, shutting the door to keep
out the cat while she finished some other
work.
Meantime, tea-time arrived; the fam
NY came home, and were all at the table,
when the door burst open and Hannah
rushed in, evidently frightened out OF
her Wits.
20, Mr.. Winslow, " she cried, "tlere'a
something in the woodshed !-all in
white, and it ran after me when I went
1or some wood, and I darent 20 out
there. II you place r.
Mr.. Winslow, supposing some ami
NAL had got in, left the table, and; arm
ing himself with the poker as he passed
through the kitchen, threw open the
door.
Silence and darkness only.
let IN q moment came an audible
rnstling on the woodpile, and an indis.
tinct glimpse Of something white.
"Bring the light. Hannah !" called
Mr.. Winslow and, taking candle from
her trembling hand, he led the way to
the strange object.
I: LIS w9lte-why, no, it isn't" lie
interrupted himself, as he drew nearer
to the auttering, frightened thing. "Its
- declare: it's picked turkey Where
"A picked turkeyl' screamed Han.
nah. "Sure, and can it be the one ]
picked myself this evening has come to
GIe7"
"aow did you kill it," asked Mr..
Winslov.
Il didn't kill it at all. The botherin'
crater killed itself ating beans that got
soaked In my brandy, and had to STOP
my work and dress it before it cooled.
"Well, it evidently was not dead, ~
said Mr.. Winslow "but, now it's
dressed, you better cut off it's head"
"Qh no. papa!" cried Margery, who
= stood on the steps. "Don't kill the
poor thingl III take care of it some.
how"
''But It'll freeze, dear" said pana.
going back into the kitchen.
\, w. 4 ~ AA ~ W IL make IL some.
thing to wear. Please let me !" pleaded
A.1&sfZ, earnestly.
We'll, don't care, child" said her
father, laughing. "Do 40 you like,
and drees it up. I want a fat gebbler,
and not : dve-pound hen-turkey, fol
Thanksgiving"
AFTER some trouble, the shiverinq.
naked turkey was caught and carried in:
to the warm kitchen. It was carefully
wrapped in an old skirt for the NIGHT.
and tied into . basket.
The astonished creature rebelled and
fought against the indignity Of wearing
flannel skirt; but cold conquered it.
and at last it cuddled down quietly in its
strange new bed.
Through the long Sunday that fol-
lowed the turkey was kept close pris.
oner, and by the next morning MANY
plans had been thought out for its com.
fort.
That was q great day to Margery, who