Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-11-30
a O'CLOCK.)
SIX THANKSGIVING TURKEYS.

Strange to say, he wasn't thinking much
about the b%uckwheat cakes and honey
this morning, though grandma always
said breakfast was the only time that
Dan was not absent-minded. She had
known him go to school without his
hat, and 90 to bed in his boots, and
leave his candle burning all night, and
forget to mail a letter for a week; but
he never failed, grandma would say,
with a funny twinkle, to hear Prue's
step at the door, and was. always there
to meet her and bring in the hot cakes.
But to-day he was having a debating
society with himself, and was so much
Interested in the discussion that he
didn't even know how many cakes he
was getting away with.
It was two days before Thanksgiv-
ing. There was a fine snow on the
ground and Dan had a new sled. Ike
Paxton, his chum, had no sled and no
time to make one Ut was all Ike's
mother could do to spare him school
times, and almost more than she could
do to feed and clothe him and the other
three boys other times). Should he let
Ike coast with him Thanksgiving, when
all the fellows met on Big Spring Hill
for, of course, even Ike would have some
Thanksgiving holiday? or should he give
him his old piece of q sled, that
wouldn't go straight and would certain
ly 60 to smash the first time it struck
against q tree?
Meantime, grandma was interviewing
grandpa about her Thanksgiving din
ner. Son John was goingto drive over
in his big sleigh, with wife and six
children; and daughter Caroline would
bring her family to dinner; land l am
determined to cook two turkeys said
this old lady, rs fiercely as ii somebody
We're going to oppose her.
ing. "You don't say nothin' bout how
many ears of corn Dobbin gets. Iain't
got nothin' to say against your two
turkeys"
"And that amt ALL" continued
grandma, still defying an imaginary
opposer. II want another one killed
for Wilder Aldrich. Don't you think,
father, when l asked her, at Miss
Rogers quiltin' whether She put chopped
parsley in her turkey gravy, she said
she hadn't had q turkey to cook for so
long she most forgot. l just made up
my mind that minute that I'd kill
three turkeys. stead of two, this
Thanksgiving"
"All right, old woman,' said the
farmer, finishing off his breakfast with
a glass of fresh buttermilk. ''Better
have 'em killed fore night and hung
up. Do you hear, DAMP If granny
wants all her turkeys killed, don't you
ask no questions. just go ahead and
do it."
"And Dan," said grandma, 'don't
be too late getting at it"
Dan was busy picturing himself, alone
in his glory, flashing down Big Spring
Hill on 1.-The Rainbow and trying to
persuade himself that to q fellow who
had no sled an old, rickety trap would
seem a very fine affair. He didn't take
in very clearly what was expected of
him, but contented himself with a vague
assurance that he was to kill all grand
mas turkeys and ask no questions.
He thought he was beginning his lob
pretty early that evening; but the No
vember twilight seemed very short, and
he had only Killed six turkeys when he
heard the supper-bell rung out of the
window at him and knew he must give
up the job for the night. He logged
them up to the kitchen door, washed his
hands at the pump, and, by no means
in a gentle humor, went in to supper.
"Well, Dan," said grandma, putting
an extra spoonful Of sugar in his cup,
"did you get through"
"No'm," he said, in a very injured
tone; mot half through. Ionly killed
six"
"s'n!" said Grandma Riley, and set
down the cup and saucer There was a
blank silence, while an uncomfortable
suspicion began to dawn upon absent
minded Dan.
"Grandpa said I was to kill all YOUR
turkeys, without asking any questions
he said, presently; and then grandpa
roared out laughing, and laughed and
laughed. until grandma herself had to
join, ard Dan. They were still at it
when Prue rushed in with the over
Whelmihg. statement that there we're six
kit! turkeys at the kitchen door.
Her chances for scolding Dan being
SPOILED by all this laughing, Grandma
Riley took the fact of the six turkeys
very quietly.
oA.:iI you make me a pres.
ent, mother,' said the old farmer,
Ian want one of them turkeys for
Jim Coales' family"
Grandma, can't have one for Ike
PaNton's mother?" said Dan, conscious
Of a guilty thought that this might buy
on his conscience about that coastins
business.
"Oh! 60 long" said grandma: ..but
you needn't ask for t'other, cause Prue
is a,,goin' to fetch it to her old uncle.
And now come long and help me and
P Pi TO pick them six turkeys, Daniel
Next afternoon Dan and Dobbjn went
round getting rid OF those turkeys.
but giving is a very spreading sort of
.nlnng. When Dan got to Mrs. Pax
ION $. nc had almost forgotten his old
oi"Sen si@u' and he and Ike laid their