New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-11-24

box, relic Of Miss Gorinda's tsbad
spells, was fastened to the side as a
drinking trough, and when the coop
was securely staked down, close to
the back door, nest OF hay was
made IN one corner, and substan-
tial perch fastened firmly across the
whole habitation. Mrs. Emerson
proved propitious, and a white Brah-
ma chicken was installed in this
mansion about the lst OF May with
all due honors.
1t really put life into this small
house to have an object of such daily
interest and care. The chicken was.
named at once for the sake of some
"handle to t." as Miss Joe said, and
it very soon learned to know that
'.Peter" meant summons to his meal.
It's the kaowin'esJ cretur," ex-
claimed smiling Miss Clorinda who re-
ally sometimes forgot her aches in the
antics OF her pet. Every night Peter
was taken into the kitchen for fear of
rats or weasels, till at last it was big
enough to leave the coop and perch
on g beam III the wood-house atnight.
And never a chicken grew so fat. 1t
would patter in at every meal, to be
fed out of the sisters hands, and
would fit up into Miss Clorinda's own
rocker and go to sleep on the cushion
after tea, with her full consent and
appreciation.
Meantime the squashes prospered.
Guess you'll have pies enough"
laughed Clorinda, whose interest in
the chicken and garden had kept her in
the open air more than she had ever
been in her life before.
'Well il they ripen up good, lean sell
'em to the tavern. Miss Emerson
she's agoin' to have them railroad
folks, engineers, you know, to board
this winter, and she's bespoke all can
let her hev; and Clorinda, there amt
one among all her Bramys that can
hold a candle to Peter. Ihefted the big
gest on EN- last week, and they Want
no ways to be compared with him"
"Do tell! Well, we'v cosseted him up
so! He's eet and eet all he could swal-
Ter, and it would be strangeif he didn't
grow some. / don't see why he don't
hav no comb nor spurs. I thought
they always had 'em."
Land! ne aim nothing but chick"
However, even when summer passed
by, and cool sweet autumn days set in,
when the big squashes lay like golden
spheres on the grass and along by the
currant bushes, Peter made no show
ofhis proper crest and knightly append
ages. He was fat, lazy, happy; would
nestle in Miss Clorinda's lap like pet
cat, and follow Miss Joe all over The
house, with an attachment so evident
the old lady more than returned it.
But at last November came The
Governors proclamation was read
from the pulpit; four squashes were
stored on the upper pantry shelf;
thirty had been driven off in Mr..
Emerson's wagon to delight the souls
of hungry railroad workers with
abundant pies through the coming
winter, and in Miss Joe's purse So
the result of her horticultural labors
lay cdnfortably stored for some
time of need.
Monday came; the Thanksgiving
squash was stewed and strained.
Tuesday came; the spiced currants
were FETCHED from the cellar and ex-
amined. They were not fermented at
all. At tea time Peter came coaxing
and pattering about for his sup
per, his eyes bright, and the late-ap-
pearing comb fresh and red. He was
white and plump and held his head on
one side and peered at them with a
look OF demure fun.
Miss Joe looked at her sister, and
Miss Clorinda looked the other way.
A chicken ought, by all laws of cook
cry, to be killed aud dressed more
than two Or three days before it is
cooked; but Stafford custom was con.
tented to slaughter it's animal food
over night. If Peter was to be par
boiled next day, and set away to cool
before encrusting and baking, he must
be killed and picked tonight. Both
sisters knew it. They had thought
about it and dreaded it silently for a
week. This was the last minute for
action. Miss Joe looked at Peter
Nesting against Clorinda's gown and
looking up, expectant for a crumb.
II can't do it," said Miss Joe, loud
ly and promptly. ~ can't and l
won't. Ell you want chicken pie for
Thanksgivin', Clorinda, you can STAR
ter the cretur yourself. So there!'' :
Miss Clorinda burst into tears.
"Josephy I'd Almost as lieves kill md
eat you! don't care cent for no
pie, but set by Peter like my eyes,
and couldn't no more eat him than
I could you, as l said afore"
Miss Joe laughed, but the laugh
quavered. "Guess l should be almost
too tough for you to eat, Clorinda;
bit you've sot my mind to rest. I've
been a-thinkin' and a-trettin' in ardly
quite a spell about this matter. I
hated TO give up your Thanksgivin'
dreadful, but couldn't noway see
my way to kill Peter. Well have to
be thankful on squash pie and spiced
currants and fish cakes; but couldn't
be thankful eatin' Peter, not if / had
a Fourth O. July cold collection along
with him."
mo, nor I nu:her, Joe; bless the
creeter, couldn't stand it without
him, and / think fish.cakes are the
best OF vittles!''
Tho ciofor, c1ort %ho cleo, of 90,