The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-11-25
THE M1KADo AT THE Feast.

should think he would weigh nearly twenty
pounds. Oh, isn't he treasures"
The Mikado heard this remark and almost
tainted with delight. "Ah," he thought, II
was right in always believing myself all i'm
portant parsonage. / hear it now from the
lips of those who have heretofore pretended
to be my supcriors."
"What do you feed him onF' asked the
visitor.
"Oat meal scalded in hot milk and various
little dainties It's q 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 tho hostess
"Oh, my,n thought tho Mikado, "won't that
be finem I am to figure at a wedding, to bc
the great feature OF the whole proceeding, 1t
seems must order something nice to wear"
The cat OIL the force post also heard, but
she only licked herl 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 to come forth.
This was the day on which he was to receive
greater honors than ever, and he waddled
out, numbered by his excessive flesh, with
more arrogance than usual. He was little
surprised when tho hired man grabbed him
by the legs and suddenly inverted him. 1t
was an undiguiiied attitude for 4 bird of his
plumacc, to say the least; but he reflected
moment and concluded that it was but fit
ting, after all, for creature Of his distinc-
ton to be carried, and Of course this awk-
ward fellow didn't know how to carry him
gracefully or even comfortably.
Ho had no time to frame other thoughts
for in q moment more the hired man had as
sassinated him, and his head was lying OH
one side of the chopping block and his body
on the other.
His late envious associates ran III all direc-
tions, chilled with horror, nor were they seen
again that day Ho graced the feast, to be
sure; he was the great feature of it, but not
in the capacity he had so conceitedly antci-
pated. Instead of the fine suit of fashionable
garments he had expected to be arrayed in,
ho appeared shorn of his feathers, with his
skin cruelty Drowned and his legs cut off at
the knees, q sorry and humbled Mikado,
surely.
In short time his very memory was for
gotten, or recalled only with sneer, or to be
cited as an example Of what conccit will bring
any ono to.
The day after Thanksgiving there was n
little talk over his head and his bones, which
were found in a ditch by his despiscd com
rades His fate was lesson to them.
"After ALL" said one, 1--WE might have
known that such sudden rise into atfluencc
could bode no good. Up like C. rocket and
down like stick, you know"
"Do you remember my words" said the
cat, who came strolling along, bulging in
body more than usual from having enjoyed
extraordinary Thanksgiving blessings. II
told you to envy no one; that it was
dangerous thing to reach such eminence as
the Mikado enjoyed. Poor fool, he did enjoy
it while it lasted"
"Could it be-" said the young turkey with
tho eyeglasses and taste for metaphysics,
"could it he that my doctrines led him
astray! Still, he was Il good Illustration OF
the truth of what l have been preaching
that il you persstently desire the best YOU
will get it. But the best, in his case, didn't
seem to be really good for him, after all, and
now the question arises: rs it good for any
of US? I must admit thai l am somewhat
confused OH this point, and, i'll spite of the
Mikado's grave faults of character, l lament
the tragedy in which he was the victim. For
some reason, his death was the occasion OF
general rejoicing in tho house, and l have
even picked up 4 word hero and there which
goes to show that the people who were the
cause of his death gave thanks over his body.
They actually called the day Thanksgiving
SO grateful were they that he was gone. Per-
hapS they feared that in his excessive love Of
power he would rise some day, seize the
reins of government, and trample them all
under his feet If SO, l half excuse tho
murder though nm too much of Bud
dhiSt to Sympathize with festival which
sanctions the destruction Gf living creatures,
and the eating of them, too. In the round OF
existence, depend upon it, my friends, all such
things are evcned up. They who Kill shall
be killed in turn; if not i'll this life, in some
embodiment in tho far future"
The hen who was in favor of equal suffrage
said that after all there were compenSatlonS
in life. She still held her old views; hut she
had learned lesson in patience. Her dream
Of political equality would be realized; but
she must wait and while she waited work rs
well rs talk. A very aged cid bird OF no par
ticular lineage cleared his throat just then.
AS he was generally silent, he commanded
great attention when he did speak. He said:
You are getting on to tie true philosophy of
life at last. Agitation doesn't accomplish
half as much as people think it does The in-
n t1,a