Connecticut western news., 1886-11-24


 There was heavy mortgage-what- ever that was--and the talk of foreclos- ure unless something was done. The crops were all bad, the hay had been spoiled by the rain, and the farmer need- ed money badly.
 'I don't see as can help it, Mary" he said, putting up the bars after Sue and Bess, the COWS. 'T hate to part with Bcss, she's splendid nilker, but I've been offered a good price, and am going to take a lot of poultry to town on Thanksgiving. It's nice gang, and ought to bring twenty or thirty dollars more"
 Freddy, sitting on a log, gave little cry and ran to me instantly, tying a faded bit of rcd flannel on my neck.
 'sNot my Mustapha, fsther-I couldn't eat him if had starved myself, let alone seeing other greedy things do it."
 ''Well, you needn't see it, you know," said his father, with coarse laugh. ''He ain't no better than the other fowl. If I'd let you boys alone I'd have lot of played out old birds on the place every year, eating their heads off because you can't bear to see them killed"
 Poor Freddy! I must say I felt stag gered myself, but he cried so loud that Charley came running up to join in; and Kitty came out in a clean apron and be- gan to cry also, which took all the starch out of it.
 "Well, boys" said Mrs. Tompkinson in troubled way, 'this ends your hay ing pets. I cannot stand such scenes every year. sympathise with you, but your father is right; he is sadly vexed now, and you mustn't add to it. am sorry for Ali and Mustapha, but it isn't as if they had souls, you see."
 Cruel woman! What should she know about the souls of turkeysa
 "Ali and Mustapha have got souls," said Charley in great rage. "We bap- tized them, and they ain't like no con- mon turkeys"
 Kitty felt our misfortunes kecnly, but she grieYed the most for Bsss, who was looking at her in mild eyed wonder, and the girl leaned over the bars and sobbed as if her heart would break.
 ''Oh dear, what hard old world this isa Darling Bess, I shan't go to the daisy meadow after you any morc."
 The boys mother wiped her eyes slyly and went into the house, while that ugly Sligo carried on most scandalously and laughed, if ever mule did in this world, He hated us all, believe, and Dan'l put him up to it.
 I cannot dwell on the narrowing scenes connected with the severiny of those home ties nor tell how Freddy swore he'd run off with a circus, nor how Charley, in fit of rage, stran ,le1 poo, Ali at daybreak, while his father was harnessing up.
 We were all dreadfully hustled and crowded, and a horrible fat goose stood on my corns all the way, and this with grief for Ali and the loss of Freddy made me really hardened and careless. Even turkeys can feel after they have been christened. We were glad to get to the butchers. l hoped that it would be soon over. Great red-faced cooks and lean old men came in, and poked and squeezed us until there wasn't sound spot in our bodies. think I actually grew thin in two hours I couldn't eat or drink. was so homcsick for the old barnyard and Freddy and Bess and Sue and the old trough, and all the rest lost to me forever-I would have given worlds to have been strangled like Ali. One by one tho chickens and geese and turkeys were sold off, and at last l wandered around alone. Everybody praised me and thought mea beauty, but nobody bought me.
 ''Why. Schneider" said one man to the huckster. 'T wouldn't eat that turkey for farm. He's got eyes like a human being. He's too knowing" 'pd like to know what's the matter with that ere danged yellow turkey" said Schneider 10 hls wife, at last. q believe he's sick. If didn't think so am blamed if I wouldn't have him for my own Thanksgiving dinner for spite. He cost me an awful sight,"
 "You might get the hydrophoby. I don't want to eat him. I don't like yellow turkeys, no how," said his wife.
 Finally a customer came in who want ed live turkey-a young man who didn't know good turkey from bad one-and Schneider and parted with no lasting regrets on either side, fancy.
 My customers wife was pretty little thing, who was playing at keeping house. She talked a deal of nonsense to her husband and some to me, and then coaxed me to eat which declined to do, knowing what would be the result. tamely submitted to her caresses and leaned against her hand, and she gave a scream of dismay.
 ''Why, Arthur, this is a tame turkey, somebody's pet; see, he has string or his neck. Why, dearie, I couldn't kill that turkey and eat him for anything ir the world"
 Nonsense, Dora," said my master. "Wc can't throw away money like that. If anyone was SO cruel as to sell pe turkey, don't see why we shouldn't eai him.n
 But can't eat him dear; I'd rather