The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-12-22
THE TURKEYS MISTAKE.


The day after Thanksgiving young
Red Cap, the gobbler, called a meeting.
II was held back of the chicken house
Red Cap sat on the fence, and acted as
chairman. Wiping his eyes with one
wing, he said:
Dear turkeys, ducks and chickens,
we meet as a party of mourners. You
all remember that only one week ago
my father and mother were with us:
now they are gone! One week ago
Dickey Daddlcs' handsome sisters were
here; now they are gone! One week
ago Speckle, the rooster, and Chuck.
Scratch and Cackle, three of his wives,
were with us; now they are gone! My
friends, why is this? You all know:
Thanksgiving dinner! The blow is ter
rible, but even in our sorrow we must
think of ourselves. Thanksgiving-time
is bad, but Christmas-time is worse.
Seven have disappeared from our happy
flock in week: who knows how soon
as many more may 90? We must do
something to protect ourselves, or we
are lost"
Top Knot, the drake, arose.
Il am not a coward" he said, ''but
1 agree with Red Cap. Something
must be done Has any one anything
to propose? | should like to hear Moth
er Gray's views upon this subject"
Mother Gray was the oldest hen in
the yard. With Il little cackle, she flew
to the top rail of the fence:
My dear companions, we have felt
the cruel hand OF man among us. We
have seen two great boys come into our
house after dark with frightful Ian
tern. and seize and carry away our be-
loved relatives by the legs while we all
squalled dismally We have seen those
relatives no more; but from suspicious
feathers floating about the yard. and
from stains upon the chopping-block,
we may easily conclude what was their
cruel fate; they have been killed and
eaten. As Mr.. Top Knot says, some
thing must be done. ! can think CT but
one thing. My dear friends, if we do
not wish to be killed and eaten, as our
lost ones have been, we must flee to the
woods"
Dickey Daddles, young and impu-
dent duckling. leaned toward Henry
Penny, his companion, and whispered:
"Old Mother Gray needn't flee. No
body IL try to eat her. she's too
tough"
An ancient goose. the only one of the
flock remaining, heard this naughty
speech, and Kissed sharply. Dickey and
Henry chuckled together slyly.
- am of the notion" said Red Legs,
who was son of old Speckle, the
rooster, "that Mother Gray's advice is
good. But am also told by those who
have greater experience than myself
that Thanksgiving day having passed,
no greater danger comes until Christ
mas-time. Now if any one can tell
when Christmas-time is, | move that we
remain here in our comfortable quarters
until the day before, and then flee until
the hour of peril is past If we go away
| now, we may starve, or freeze to death,
| or the foxes may catch Us whereas if
we wait, our absence may be much
shorter and less dangerous
GOOD good " gobbled the turkey
| from where he sat. Il can tell when
Christmas time comes, and / will give
you good warning. Let us decide to
remain until the last moment of safety,
and then disappear. i"
The hens cackled assent, and the
! ducks joined them, but Miss Goose
stepped daintily forward, and stretch
ing her long neck, said, in kissing
| tone
MAY | ask my young friend how he
| knows when Christmas-tm comes In
a matter so important we can not be too
particular"
Red Cap raised his comb angrily, and
stared at Miss Goose.
Age" he replied, in husky voice.
sis supposed to bring knowledge, and
l should therefore think my fair ques-
toner able to Judge for herself How
ever, TO quiet all doubts, l will state
that overheard little Tommy up at the
house say that Christmas came on the
twenty-ffth of the month. am sure"
he continued, triumphantly, "that nc
one can doubt as good authority as
that
There was a general cry of agree,
ment, Henry Penny and Dickey Dad
dies shouting: "Put her out! put hel
outl' at the top of their voices, ant
the meeting dispersed with the under
standing that they were to remain il