The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-11-24
THE M1KADo AT THE FEAST.

"1sn't he magnifcentr said the visitor. u
should think he would weigh nearly twenty
pounds. Oh, isn't he a treasured"
The Mikado heard this remark and almost
tainted with delight "Ah," he thought, al
was right in always believing myself an i'm
portant parsonage. hear it now from the
lips Of those who have heretofore pretended
to be my superiorS"
aWhat do you feed him oni" asked the
visitor.
"Oat meal scalded in hot milk and various
little dainties. It's a joy to see him eat"
At this the Mikado felt himself bursting
with pride.
my daughter is to be married on Thanks
giving day, and he Is to be the great feature
Of the table" said the hostess.
"Oh, N.Y." thought the Mikado, won't that
be finer am to figure at wedding, to be
the great feature Of the whole proceeding, it
seems. must order something nice to wear"
The cat on the fence post also heard, but
she only licked her lips and smiled knowingly.
The days went on and the Mikado only
grew fatter and more domineering every
hour, and the other fowls became more and
more cast down.
On Thanksgiving morning his doors were
opened and he was invited ia come forth.
This was the day on which he was to receive
greater honoss than sver, and be waddled
cut, numbered by his excessive flesh, with
more arrogance than usual. He was little
surprised when the hired man grabbed him
by the legs and suddenly inverted him. It
was an undignified attitude for bird Of his
-, 80 kI,o1 not. hut ko Tod
moment and concluded that it was but fit
ting, after all, for q creature Of his distinc-
ton to he carried, and Of course this awk-
ward fellow didn't know how to carry him
gracefully or even comfortably.
He had no time TO frame other thoughts,
Tor in moment more the hired man had as
fascinated him, and his head was lying on
one side Of the chopping blocl, and his body
on the other.
His late envious associates ran in all direc-
lions, chilled with horror, nor were they seen
again that day. He graced the feast, TO be
sure; he was the great feature of it, but not
In the capacity he had so conceitedly antici-
pated. Instead Of the fine suit of fashionable
garments he had expected to be arrayed in,
he appeared shorn of his feathers, with his
skin cruelty Drowned and his legs cut Off at
the knees, a sorry and BUNDLED Mikado,
surely.
| In short time his very memory was for.
gotten, or recalled only with sheer, or to be
cited as an example Of what conceit will bring
any one to.
The day after Thanksgiving there was a
little talk over his head and his bones, which
were found in a ditch by his despised COM
rades, His fate was q lesson to them.
after ALL" said one, 1--WE might have
Known that such a sudden rise into afiuence
.ould bode no good. Up like rocket and
down like a stick, you know
ado you remember my words" said the
cat who came strolling along, bullying in
body mere than usual from having enjoyed
extraordinary Thanksgiving blessings. II
told you to envy no one; that it was q
dangerous thing to reach such eminenee as
the Miiado enjoyed. Poor fool, he did enjoy
it while it lasted"
"Could it be-" said the young turkey with
the eyeglasses and taste for metaphysics,
~could it be that my doctrines led him
astrayi Still, he was good illustration Of
the truth Of what have been preaching
that II you per>istently desire the best you
will get it. But the best, in his case, didn't
sen;n to be really good for him, after all. and
now the question arises: rs it good for any
Of US! I must admit that I am somewh hat
confused on this point, and, in spite Of tie
Mikados grave fan T. Of character, I lament
the tragedy In which he was tie victim. For
some reason, his death was the occasion of
general rejoicing in the house, and I have
even picked up word here and there which
goes to show that the people who were the
cause of his death gave thanks ovr | is body.
They actually called the day 'Thanas.,h ing
segrateful were they that he vus gone Per-
hans they fea-ed that In his excessive love Of