The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-12-03

II shall try. anyway" said Bah.
gently smoothing tie soft, yellow
| down. l....
And sho mako tho little fellow a
coop in ono corner of the yard, and fed
and tended him with such care
throughout the summer, that. contrary
to all expectations, he lived and
| thrived, and grow into as fine turkey
gobbler rs any one would wish 10 see.
Mrs. Pettingill's. however, fulfilled
her prediction, took cold, and dwind-
led away. until not ono was left Of all
the ten.
Bah named her bird Christopher Co.
lumbus, because he was such an explor-
or. always diving into odd and unex-
pccted places.
Now he tried the cupboard, next in
vestigated tho oven, while. moment
later, ho was toraging among the cab
bages, and once almost singod his bill
poking it into pan of hot ashes.
He was devoted to his little mistress,
and hoppod aftor her, up and down
stairs, and around tho garden, and.
like Mary's lamb, evon followed her
to school ono day"
''He is tho dearest, sweetest pot that
ever livos!' Bah would exclaim, hug
ging Christopher around the neck, and
showerng his head with kisses. land
did you over SEQ moro lovely feathers
all green and blue and goldp"
At which he would spread his tail,
swell out his throat, and strut around
as though hc knew he was being ad-
mirod.
Your one turkey beats mino all hol-
low" said Farmer Pettingill one mol
low October day. stopping to lean over
the fonco and chat with Bab cal
though the brown hen has replaced
Specklc's brood, have none as big or
fat He will bring n nice littlo sum at
Thanksgiving"
What! Sell Christopher Columbusp
Nevor!' And Bab's eyes flashed indig-
nantly at tho idea. MY darling pet
shall never be roasted and eaten, but
die OF old age. like respectable bird"
why, tho money ho would bring
would get you no end of ribbons and
Lace continued tho farmer, teasing
ly. And girls love tinery moro than
anything l know"
-! would rather go in rags, and keep
Christopher Columbus" said Bah,
firmly, picking caterpillar off a cab
bago, and presenting it to the turkey.
who mado way with tho dainty morsel
in twinkling.
MIR. Pcttingill laughed heartily, and
passed on; but ho thought:
'Sho is spicy little thing. l wish
she was my daughter. How she would
brighton up the old homcstead!"
The cold weather came verv carly
that year, and tho first part of Novem-
ber Mrs. Frck had severe attack of
her old complaint, and was unable to
leavo .hor bed.
1t was hard lines, then, for Hans and
Bah; for. though they stayed home from
school, and worked all tho odd Jobs
they could get. they daily saw their
mother growing thinner and paler,
and the small supply of silver in tho
old blue woolcn stocking that served
them for bank rapidly waxing loss
The doctor looked grave whom he
was finally called in, but said he
thought rest and good nourishing food
would do great deal for Mrs. Frick,
and, above all, she must have q certain
tonic. which he montioned.
ut is soXpensivc-three dollars a bot
tie, he said, at parting. as he button
ed up his heavy fur coat, 'but it has
worked wonderful cures in these ma
larial cascs, and l am suro is just what
she necds."
And he nodded "good-day" and
rode home TO his dinner of roast beef
and oysters, leaving poor, hurd-worked
Hans and Barbara gazing at zach other
in dismay.
"Oh, brother! what shall wo dop"
asked Bah. There is only one dollar
and half left in tho stocking, aud I
am not to be paid for tho socks l am
knitting until they are finished, while
there is nothing in the house to mako
broth of, and as for vino for tho moth
er. that is out of tho question"
"l don't Know" said Hans. sadly,
going to the window, and looking out
into tho little garden, where Christie
pher Columbus was marching up aud
down, making deop tracks in the pure
white snow. IL wish did"
Bah was crying softly, the big tears
running down her checks, and drop
ping into the bean soap she was taking
from the fire. when Hans suddenly re-,
marked:
"Bab. do you know it only wants
throe days to ThanksgivingP"
Eyes; but we need not trouble our
selves about our Thanksgiving dinner.
1t will be only bread and beans, as
usual. Tho other vegetables must be
saved for mother"
"Bab, Christopher Is very big and
fat-almost tho biggest turkey over
saw"
What do You meang" cried Barba-
III, stopping in the middle of tho floor,
saucepan i'll hand.
Hans turned very rcd, and ho did
not look at his sister. but stammerod:
"Ah, Bah, wo can't let the mother
die!'
And then he ran out of the room and
the house, slnmming tho door after
him.
Bah set down the iron vosscl,
dropped into II chair. and covered her
face with her hands, and sho never
moved until her mother called her
from the adjoining bedroom. when she
answered the summons with pale
checks and swollen oycs, but now
look OF determination about her rosy
lips
She found Mrs. Frick feeling much
n ,ttiII lNn.