St. Landry democrat., 1883-11-24
DAN AND THE THANKSGIVING TUR.
KEYS.

KEYS.
Dan Riley was eating his breakfast.
Strange to say, he wasn't thinking much
about the buckwheat 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 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.
1t was two days before Thanksgiv-
ing. There was fine snow on the
ground and Dan had new sled. Ike
Paxton, his chum, had no sled and no
time to make one Gt was all likes
mother could do to spare him school
times, and almost more than she could
do to feed and ciothe 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 a sled, that
wouldn't 90 straight and would certain
ly 90 to smash the first time it struck
against tree?
Meantime, grandma was interviewing
grandpa about her Thanksgiving din
ner. Son John was going to drive over
in his big sleigh, with wife and six
children; and daughter Caroline would
bring her family to dinner; land | am
determined to cook two turkeys said
this old lady, as fiercely as if somebody
were going to oppose her.
every well, said Farmer Riley, smil-
inc. .sYou don't say nothin' bout how
many ears of corn Dobbin gets. amt
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 I asked her, at Miss
Roger squiltin' sEhether she put chopped
parsley in heHS}hrkey gravy, she said
She hadn't had q turkey to cook for so
long she most forgot. | just made up
my mind that minute that I'd kill
three turkeys. stead of two, this
Thanksgiving. =
s.All right, old woman said the
farmer, finishing off his breakfast with
glass of fresh buttermilk. 'sBetter
have 'em killed fore night and hung
up. Do you hear, Dan? If granny
wants all her turkeys killed, don't you
ask no questions. just go ahead and
do it,
land Dam" 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 a fellow who
had no sled an old, rickety trap would
seem very fine affair. He didn't take
in very clearly what was expected of
him, but contented himself with vague
assurance that he was to kill all grand
mas turkeys and ask no questions.
He thought he was beginning his job
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 tothe kitchen door, washed his
hands at the pump, and, by no means
in 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,n he said, in a very injured
tone; !" not half through. Ionly killed
six y 4 Isl.
g Sir!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 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, and Dan. They were still at il
4 when Prue rushed in with the over
1 whelming statement that there were six
s.kilt'' turkeys at the kitchen door.
Her chances for scolding Dan being
spoiled by all this laughing, Grandma
4 Riley took the fact of the six turkeys
very quietly.
! T amt often You make me pres
ent, mother said the old farmer